The Art of Being Present or Can You Change Your Brain?

We've been reading some very interesting books concerning the elasticity or neuroplasticity of the brain.  We are just beginning to understand how information is recorded and stored in our central nervous system.  That's what got me to thinking about how our behavior fundamentally affects every particle of our experience.

Last week, I was watching the Boston local news station (I don't know why, but I find the Boston CBS news so much more interesting than the Providence CBS news.)  that was covering a story about a group of people who had decided to walk the Boston Marathon route in a one month tribute to those injured in the bombing.  I'd estimate there were about 12-15 people walking, with a lead car and a rear car protecting them from traffic.  I thought, "That's really a nice gesture these people are making."  As I watched the coverage, I noticed something interesting.  Approximately 6-8 of the people were either talking on their phones or texting while walking.  I will admit that this was only a 10 second glimpse but it got me to thinking.  I wondered if any of these people were even aware of their surroundings.  Did they hear the birds singing or the sounds of traffic;  did they notice the light breeze on their faces; did they smell the blossoms or did they even notice the warmth of the sun?  Did they for a moment consider their purpose of how they, acting in concert as a group, could help those who were injured? What kind of energy might they have generated had they been present in the state of compassion and love?

I also watched an episode of, "Ask This Old House," last week.  Richard Trethewey was demonstrating the new technology of a state-of-the-art thermostat.  It was capable of "reading" your house temperature preferences by recording when and what settings you chose at any particular time.  That way, you'd never again have to make any adjustments to your thermostat.  This instrument was capable of automatic pattern recognition...interestingly enough, so is your brain.

Just like the thermostat, the brain has laid down neural tracts (or patterns) that we have designed by our behavior and choices.  That allows us to go about our day without always consciously participating in our activities.  We can be outside without ever truly interacting with our environment, just like we can be conversing with someone without really listening or actively interacting with that person.

 Many of us can go through our days, weeks or years without truly being, "present." We believe what we believe because of how and what we have been taught.  This has formed our perception of who we are, what we do and why we do it.   We can miss so much that experience has to offer, but, more importantly, we have the opportunity to change what we do not like.  We can change how we think in order to change what we do and who we are.  Tomorrow, I'll talk about how we can all begin to change the evolution of self.

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