Neuroscience Learns What Buddhism Has Known for Ages: There Is No Constant Self Although it is almost certainly impossible for any religious doctrine as a whole to be proven accurate, at least one major aspect of Buddhism has been proven correct: neuroscience now verifies that the human body is constantly changing, so there really is no stable self for any individual. The University of British Columbia’s Evan Thomson echoes this notion when he says that “from a neuroscience perspective, the brain and body is constantly in flux. There’s nothing that corresponds to the sense that there’s an unchanging self.” More specifically, the concept of neuroplasticity argues that the brain is malleable, so it is capable of wide-ranging change and growth. Although these ideas may seem startling at first, if you consider them more deeply, they actually indicate that virtually anything is possible — or that you yourself are capable of accomplishing virtually anything. This may sound like the old cliché “you can do anything you set our mind to,” but you’ve probably also heard that “all human beings need to find themselves,” so these findings truly are both new and significant. Buddha states, “Nothing is permanent. Everything is subject to change. Being is always becoming,” which reinforces the importance of these insights quite elegantly. Perhaps more elegant yet are Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron’s words: “Impermanence is a principle of harmony. When we don’t struggle against it, we are in harmony with reality.” These ideas seem to support non-conformity, which many readers will appreciate and be relieved to read. If all of this seems intriguing to you, there are many more Buddhism discussions and insights that you may want to peruse or scrutinize. It’s all definitely delicious food for thought, in the very least. *This content, found on iRelease, was inspired by an article on Ideapod. DISCUSSION GROUP COMMENTSTim Seamans So, to be called "unstable" should be considered an accurate compliment?! Gary R. Smith Except - where is the unstable self centered? In the temporal. There is another Self that is stable and constant, in the timeless. Anja van Loon Because circumstances influence your feelings, and feeling create your emotions, and emotions create your way of choice making, and your way of choice making your circumstances. An endless circle. So only if you choose to life like a monk, every day would be the same and inner peace will be guaranteed. ;) Tim Seamans Hi Anja! Although "living" like a monk in a peaceful detached box of isolation sounds tempting at times, I prefer no guarantees at this point in time. ?? The circle serves a purpose in our quest since we are immersive experiential beings. Life outside the quadrilateral "feeling" with all of our senses and emotions can be overwhelming, but is what "this" is all about. At least for me. Anja van Loon Speaking from a point of view, that there "is" something as an temporal self, instead of a "created" temporary "state" of the self Gary? ;) Gary R. Smith Temporal = relating to time = no constant self. 'I' write these words from the temporal self, the created temporary state of .... Anja van Loon Isolating or ignoring your senses is one of the ways. Changing your mindset so the signs you receive from your senses "give" no longer a feeling (and so emotions, and other way of decision making) to become in a state of overload, is an other way. Up to each of us to find out which works best for you personally and depends of what your wishes are for your life. Gary R. Smith When I have shifted automatically from temporal to timeless, Anja, my senses were heightened, not isolated or ignored. The signs received giving no longer a feeling to become in a state of overload is as you wrote, another way. Anja van Loon You assume you have a free will ? Gary R. Smith To make choices such as letting go of contracting emotions (fear, judgement, resistance, etc.) or embracing the Stillness, the All Sufficient One Being as 'my' true identity, yes. But, so far, the shift from temporal to timeless has come automatically as a result of letting go or embracing. I have not been able to force it. Anja van Loon To become to be able to switch between a temporary or permanent state requires a free will and there is none, only an awareness that you have a choice of how you are able to "experience" your own circumstances by a change of mindset (programming). Gary R. Smith Yes, isn't that - awareness that you have a choice of how you are able to "experience" your own circumstances by a change of mindset (programming) - what I have been writing? I have not yet found a direct way to shift, only an indirect way which still involves free will. Letting go of resistance or judgement is an act of will, is it not?
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