Episode 15 / Everyday Mindfulness: PRESENCE
Presence comes from the ability to see, sense, and offer an appropriate response.
The difference between reaction and response? Often as simple as one breath.
“What is the lesson of a lifetime?,” a monk once asked their dying teacher.
Breathing quietly, whispering in a weak voice, the teacher answered: “An appropriate response.”
We live in reactive, often mentally volatile times. When we are triggered, in any way – baseline stress, fatigue, circumstances, existential reality…anything from the small to the looming – our neurochemistry shifts, making it easier to react (fast, potentially sub-optimal) than to respond (slower, more balanced).
The difference, the time the brain needs to identify and potentially course correct a reactive thought or action?
Often only one second. The amount of time it takes to breathe one breath.
Becoming aware of the breath, even playing with a breathing practice, makes it easier to call upon the breath in moments of challenge, uncertainty, or stress.
Practicing the Box Breathing technique can help connect you to an active form of breath, priming your PFC to make it more available when needed. Or simply wanted. Pro tip: Box Breathing is excellent for inviting sleep.
Understanding how we think gets easier when we understand biases – the shortcuts the brain takes to “think without thinking” based on past histories – personal or biological. Learn more about the Cognitive Bias Codex in this excellent article, The Cognitive Bias Cheat Sheet.
“We don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are.”
– Anïas Nin
Please find a wonderful conversation between Buddhist teacher Pamela Weiss and author/Metta (lovingkindness) guide Sharon Salzberg below. You can learn more about Pamela and her work at www.pamelaweiss.com.
Here’s a “Thinking Fast and Slow” summary, including a video of Dr. Kahneman sharing his insights. This is also a good summary. As you continue to learn about the brain, what comes up for you? THIS promises “every chapter of Thinking Fast and Slow in seven minutes.” Haven’t vetted it. Still, wanted to share.
What would you add to this thinking? I welcome your thoughts at ellen@thebrainandbeyond.com.
Please subscribe to The Brain and Beyond Podcast on your favorite platform and definitely stay tuned here. I’ll always share episode notes and fun stuff that explores the brain… and beyond.
You’ll also find info on our beautiful theme song, used with permission from the artist, below.
Best, Ellen
ellen@thebrainandbeyond.com
I hope you enjoy the music I’ve arranged with artist Lucia Lilikoi to share on my podcast.
Here’s her website, lilikoimusic.com… and you can listen to the full version here, and follow her on Apple Music and Spotify. Her website links to a range listening platforms. Enjoy.
