copyright, edyoung, PhD 1 LESSON 3 Brain, Cognition, and Criteria for Fulfillment UNDER CONSTRUCTION Presented by THE NATURAL SYSTEMS INSTITUTE

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3 I. A Mind Split Between Preoccupations With the Past and Future Leaves Little Left to Focus on the Present Task The divided mind can not concentrate efficiently, listen, learn, remember, act on, use, or integrate presented information Focusing on neurotic preoccupations from the past or current or recent conflicts and fears, on daydreams of past or future pleasant or fearful events, on comparisons with others, on presenting a certain image of one’s self, on whether approval is forthcoming, on how others are perceiving one’s self, on one’s deficiencies or lack of knowledge, on strategies to accomplish an ulterior motive, on strategies to get one-up or get out or avoid, on a person of sexual attractiveness, on the goal instead of the process, on other priorities or preferences, on bodily needs, reactions or functions. DISTRACTION FOCUS IMMEDIATE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT PREOCCUPATIONS WITH THE PAST PREOCCUPATIONS WITH THE FUTURE FOCUS ON THE CURRENT TASK DISPLACED FROM LEFT HEMISPHERE, FADES INTO PERIPHERY IN THE RIGHT HEMISPHERE LEFT RIGHT FOCUS

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5 II. Learning Under Conditions of a Divided Mind Vs. A Mind Free of Inner Conflicts or Competing Interests LEFT HEMISPHERE Shallow Processing Deep Processing DEEP PROCESSING Learning under conditions that are free from inner conflicts, at peace, and free to deeply concentrate. VS. SHALLOW PROCESSING Learning under conditions of preoccupation with past unresolved conflicts. BRAIN SPACE ALLOCATED TO THE ASSIGNED OR ACCEPTED TASK BRAIN SPACE ALLOCATED TO PREOCCUPATIONS, UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS, OR DISTRACTING LIFE CONCERNS A DIVIDED COGNITIVE PROCESS YIELDS, AT BEST SURFACE PROCESSING, AT AROUND 20% EFFICIENCY. CORE, OR DEEP COGNITIVE PROCESSING IS UNDISTRACTED, INTERCONNECTED, ENDURING, AND USABLE SURFACE COGNITIVE PROCESSING IS THE OPPOSITE OF DEEP AND RESULTS IN BRIEF, SUPERFICIAL MEMORY AND LACK OF INTEGRATION WITH RELATED CONCEPTS. THERE IS A LIMITED ABILITY TO RECALL OR USE THE INFORMATION. AN UNDIVIDED, FOCUSED COGNITIVE PROCESS YIELDS AT LEAST 80% EFFICIENCY

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7 III. The Dynamics of a Brain in Conflict Vs. A Brain Free of Conflict BRAIN IN CONFLICT LEFT HEMISPHERE RIGHT HEMISPHERE BRAIN FREE OF CONFLICT LEFT HEMISPHERE RIGHT HEMISPHERE Surface Processi ng CORECORE Fantasies and obsessive thought generated by repressed, unresolved conflicts. Brain space allocated to the assigned or accepted task Brain space allocated to distracting life concerns and unresolved conflicts. A divided cognitive process yields at best very brief and surface processing and around 20% efficiency. Normally, the mind in conflict can only do surface processing. Occasionally a person having this type of problem can only do shallow processing, regardless of the importance of the task or information. DEEP Surface processing can still go on when the mind is free of unresolved conflicts, but this is a choice made when one knows the task or information does not require exclusive core or deep processing, when parallel processing is required,or when simultaneous vigilance to the outside is required. CORE Brain space allocated to the accepted or assigned task. Core processing is undistracted and highly focused. Deep processing extends Core processing and is highly interconnected to related, relevant, verbal and imagistic information. Deep and core processing are highly usable and enduring. Surface processing leads to superficial, brief memory and limited ability to use the information. It lacks integration with related concepts in memory.

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9 IV. The Engaged, Focused Mind Can Be Open to Creativity DEEP CORE BRAIN FREE OF CONFLICT LEFT HEMISPHERE RIGHT HEMISPHERE In a mind free of conflict, core and deep processing are free to extend beyond focused concentration to catch ideas and images that flit, like butterflies, around the edge of awareness, bring them in, and play with them.

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copyright, edyoung, PhD 11 V. The Disciplined Mind Engaged In Focused Imagining And Shift To Core Or Deep Processing To Give Imagination Communicable Shape And Logic BRAIN FREE OF CONFLICT LEFT HEMISPHERE RIGHT HEMISPHERE DEEP CORECORE Focused Imagination SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH FROM CORE DISENGAGEMENT TO ENGAGED IN IMAGINATION FOCUSED IMAGINATION CAN ALSO OPEN UP TO CATCH IDEAS AND IMAGES THAT FLOAT ON THE EDGES OF AWARENESS AND STILL MAINTAIN FOCUS.

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copyright, edyoung, PhD 13 VI. Contrasting Effects of Imposed Vs. Personal Criteria for Fulfillment Personal Criteria for Fulfillment Personal Criteria for Fulfillment Imposed Criteria for Fulfillment INTENTIONAL PROCESSES INCORPORATED CONTENT AND PROCESS INTENTIONAL PROCESSES PSEUDO-INCORPORATED CONTENT AND PROCESS Would Be Act Would Be Act Imposed Act Imposed Act When the Act Is Imposed: 1. Time drags. 2. Acts feel effortful. 3. Senses tuned to bodily discomfort. 4. Easily distracted. 5. Overwhelmed by barriers. 6. Poorly developed strategies. 7. Disowns results. 8. Non-plussed at success. 9. Unconcerned with self correction when the task is unsuccessfully completed. When the Act Is Guided by One’s Personal Criteria for Fulfillment: 1. Time passes unnoticed. 2. Experiences bodily ease, exhilaration, effortlessness. 3. Absorbed, single minded. 4. Puts effort into developing strategy for success. 5. Envisions possibility of success, feels empowered. 6. Barriers are not daunting, overcomes barriers. 7. Owns, incorporates results. 8. Feels satisfaction and pride at successful completion. 9. Searches for ways to self correct at unsuccessful completion.