#131 Biology, Morals, Choice?

     Research shows that when we perceive anything, our brain stem ("reptilian brain") first judges if the perceived object is good, bad or indifferent to our personal / DNA's survival. A fraction of a second later, we become consciously aware of the object - complete with a primitive, self-centered opinion about it! (Most "objects" fail to reach our conscious awareness because they're judged to be "indifferent" ie irrelevant.)
     When we perceive an attractive member of our favored sex, we become consciously aware of this individual AT THE SAME TIME as we're aware of our attraction. This is just neurobiology. It has nothing to do with choice, free will or morals. It is entirely natural, universal, nothing personal.

     IF, however, we then "feed" or entertain this message from our brain stem ie act on it via further thinking, speech or other types of action, these now ARE voluntary - free-will, choice and morals ARE involved. We are actively helping the power of this event over us to rapidly escalate, AND later, each successive similar encounter will have greater and greater impact on us. We are training (conditioning) our mind to crave, and become increasingly more dependent on this type of "object" for our happiness.

     IF, on the other hand, we're already in a committed monogamous relationship, and thus CHOOSE to simply accept and acknowledge that this linked-perception-attraction phenomenon is natural, universal, nothing personal, then the impact of this event rapidly dissipates. Each time we handle successive similar encounters in this fashion, they'll have progressively less impact on us. We don't train (de-conditioning) our mind to depend on this type of "object" for our happiness, so like any other activity in which we stop training, it's strength progressively diminishes.

     We each have addictive relationships with MANY objects eg food, coffee, alcohol & other drugs, work, internet, gambling, cars, cameras, shopping, travel, etc. Initially, try this de-conditioning technique with a relatively weak addiction. Can you FEEL it move you in a HEALTHIER direction? Can you gain freedom over other objects?

     The general principles are outlined in blog #128 "Check-in regularly": 
http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2012/05/128-checking-in-regularly.html

Photo: menghoff   www.dpreview.com