This
website will attempt to be a useful primer to consciousness through
knowledge and interaction.
As far as our knowledge stands today, the brain develops in a largely unpredictable way. Genetics are important but not determinative. The kinds of exercise, sleep, diet, friends and activities we choose as well as the goals we set for ourselves have equal power to change our lives. We do have free will, at least in the sense that everything we choose affects everything that follows.
And self-awareness is the most important choice we can make. We have a responsibility to live lives that maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. Blaming oneself for the physiological shortcomings of our brains is misdirected energy, energy better spent in changing our habits for a better, more productive life.
"We can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment" Biochemist & Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard
We know now that the mind has great plasticity. For example, a violinist who has practiced for 10,000 hours becomes a virtuoso, mostly, because his brain has created and reinforced the necessary synaptic connections. So, we must be able to do the same with human qualities like kindness, patience, openness.
Mind training matters. This is not a luxury. This is not a supplementary vitamin for the soul. This is something that's going to determine the quality of every instant of our lives.
As far as our knowledge stands today, the brain develops in a largely unpredictable way. Genetics are important but not determinative. The kinds of exercise, sleep, diet, friends and activities we choose as well as the goals we set for ourselves have equal power to change our lives. We do have free will, at least in the sense that everything we choose affects everything that follows.
And self-awareness is the most important choice we can make. We have a responsibility to live lives that maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. Blaming oneself for the physiological shortcomings of our brains is misdirected energy, energy better spent in changing our habits for a better, more productive life.
"We can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment" Biochemist & Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard
We know now that the mind has great plasticity. For example, a violinist who has practiced for 10,000 hours becomes a virtuoso, mostly, because his brain has created and reinforced the necessary synaptic connections. So, we must be able to do the same with human qualities like kindness, patience, openness.
Mind training matters. This is not a luxury. This is not a supplementary vitamin for the soul. This is something that's going to determine the quality of every instant of our lives.