Changing Hearts and Minds Part 2

 
The Heart - Mind Connection

Brain Neurons Firing

Modern Science meets  Ancient Spiritual Wisdom 

Part 2  
Modern Science & Neuroplasticity
 

Review of Part 1

Part 1 briefly explored the false dichotomy between Religion and Science. The great spiritual traditions all emphasise the 'oneness' and the inter-connectedness of all things. Before looking at neuroscience let us recap on what Einmstein has to say about mystery and then the central teachings of two great Traditions, Buddhism and Christianity.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”               Albert Einstein

To the part that quotes  ' true art and all science' could be added 'in fact everything- all spiritual truths '. 
Part 1 shared the following  quotes from two traditions :

Buddhism : The Dalai Lama         "A change of heart is always a change of mind. "  and vice versa  ( or is it a chicken and egg dilemma ?) "Every change of mind is first of all a change of heart."

Christianity: Jesus the Christ           Some important quotes from Jesus are as follows : ' Change your mind ( repent) for the Kingdom of God  is at hand'  and the importance of being at peace ( mind & heart)   'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. '    

The Centrality of Oneness and Inter-Connection

This sense of Oneness and Inter-connection lies at the heart of all the great Spiritual Traditions, from the Aboriginal Peoples , with their sense of the Indwelling Presence of the ' Great Spirit'  in all of nature and creation, to the Atman of Hinduism, the Spirit of Christianity etc.. The Spiritual Traditions of Humanity have long recognised and sensed the Mystery at the heart of Creation

The Big Bang

This sense of 'mystery' is also part of all human endeavours, disciplines and sciences. Einstein's quote recognises this. Modern Science also regognises that there  is an inter-connectedness to all creation. Everything we know of, that we can touch, feel, see, hear etc  originates from the great event of creation - which we now call the BIG BANG.  

Every atom, every molecule and every breath we all take, originates from that initial great unfolding that occurred 13.7 billion years ago. The oxygen we breath in  and its molecules are the same as those our ancestors took in. From the ancient sages of Hinduism, through the Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad and Guru Nanak, from Aristotle through Newton, Faraday, Boyle and Einstein, all breath in particles that originated in the Big Bang. This both wonderful, awesome and sheer mystery.

Firing Neurons

Modern Science  reveals and confirms the order and design of both the Macro is mirrored and reflected in the Nano.If ones looks at pictures of the Cosmos and those of our Brain Neurons, they could both have seemed to come from the Hubble spacecraft. See both pictures above and to the right.

TThere is  a growing sense of the inter-connectedness of all. The 'model' of the Cosmos mirrors the model of the atom. The Macro mirrors the Micro. In addition, there is a growing realisation that humans are holistic beings. Humanity models its environment and we are Body- Psyche and Spirit. 

The last of these does not have to have a Religious connotation. To insist on this is another example of dualistic thinking. Whether it be the Mystics of the Spiritual Traditions ( like Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad or Guru Nanak) or the great Scientists of the past and present  ( like Aristotle, Newton, Boyle, Faraday and Einstein ) , most would agree with the contention that ' there is a great mystery at the heart of creation /  the cosmos. Whatever this 'mystery' is - whether we  name it as  Source, Ultimate Reality, God or some great 'unknown'; our journey of human discovery is to be open to its unfolding revelation.

Now to return to neuroscience, the connection between Mind and Heart and how a change in one can impact on the other .

What Does Science Tell Us ?
   
 We are at the frontiers of a greater understanding of the Mind and the Brain. The Mind is more than the Brain but the Brain is a large part of what we call the Mind. In the past 50 years we have learnt more about the brain that in all previous recorded history. Let us briefly ( and simply) outline a few pertinent facts, these are enough for us to realise how we can indeed use the Heart-Mind connection to ' change' not only the neural structure of the brain but also establish or place ' a new heart and a new mind within'

The Brain is a few pounds of 'tofu' like matter, rather small in comparison to our body. Yet it can consume up to 25% of all the oxygen we breathe and the glucose we consume.

It has two, interconnected Hemispheres

It has evolved over millions of years and developed a complex inter-connected structure that has helped us survive and  has shaped our long journey as an intelligent species with the gifts of reflective consciousness

It consists on a mind-boggling 100 billion neurons, each capable of connecting to 5 or more thousand other neurons.

Its total combinations of inter-connections is greater than all the known stars in the Cosmos ! 

Neurons that 'fire' together 'wire' together. (  can form new neural pathways )

Mental states  form Neural Traits  and vice versa ( the basis of all 'habits )

The heart and the Brain ( like other main organs ) are inter-connected. However, there is a growing understanding that the Heart - Brain inter-connection is very important .

 
T he heart and brain maintain a continuous two-way dialogue, each influencing the other’s functioning.  

The signals the heart sends to the brain can influence perception, emotional processing and higher cognitive functions. ( Taoism and Hinduism have a variety of 'practices' that influence the Heart Chakra and thus the mind)

The signals that the brain sends, particularly from the Limbic System and the Nervous System can 'control' the heart rate as well as other main organs. 

( Much of Yoga Pranayama Practices work on damping down the Sympathetic Nervous System  ( our Fight:Flight Responses )  and ' ramping' up the Para Sympathetic Nervous System - (  our Rest: Digest)  Responses  )

So modern neuroscience has  revised and contradicted some old ideas about our Brain and Mind. It was once thought that the brain developed into early teen years and thereafter it was 'downhill' all the way. We now know that, providing we try new things,  new neural pathways can be  , and are being, constructed or developed all the time. The opposite is true. The brain also works on a 'redundancy principle'. If we fail to exercise or do certain things, then those neural pathways decay. A general term for this is Neuroplasticity. It is the basis of all mental change. It allows us to change , lose or develop habits or traits . So that Jesus' call for a change of mind is not only possible but prophetic and the Dalai Lamas contention that every change of mind proceeds from a change of heart and vice versa is also grounded in modern science.

To change our minds we merely need to develop a new set of 'practices' and this begins to re-shape our neural structure. There is also an inter-connection between the Body and the Heart and Mind. Changing one for the better causes changes in the other.  The Spiritual Traditions have developed a wide variety of Practices over thousands of years. These have stood the test of time. So the challenge for us  all is this. When , where and how will we accept personal responsibility for the re-shaping of both our Hearts and our Minds. Whether we do this , guided by Religious beliefs, or guided by Science is immaterial. Our world needs change and as the great Hindu Sage Gandhiji so clearly said :

Gandhi, is pointing a way of genuine and personal transformation - a mental revolution which changes both Heart and Mind.  If our world is to change for the better, if a 'new kingdom' is to come - a society where we live in harmony, growing mutual respect , more compassionately and more loving - all antidotes to violence, oppression and inequality - then each of us needs to take responsibility for our own change. 



 

Changing Hearts and Minds Part 1

The Heart - Mind Connection

Modern Science meets  Ancient  Spiritual Wisdom  

Part 1 : Setting the Scene

Our modern and mainly ( in the West) secular world is highly dualistic, as are our major Religions.In fact, modern Western 'man' has merely inherited the hundreds of years of dualistic religion. This tendency to dualistic thought and action has created many false, and often unnecessary, Either : Or divisions between peoples, cultures, races, ethnicities and religions. 

A prevailing and oft quoted division is that between Science and Religion. Many, who quite rightly oppose and deny the certitudes of much of modern Religion (and mainly Western Religions) , turn to Science, reason and logic for the 'certitude' that we can all so easily and readily yearn for in a rapidly changing, bewildering  and uncertain world. This is partly the result of the paternalistic , patriarchal and rule dominated approach of the 3 mainstream Western Religions of Judaism, Christianity. and Islam,hey have created their own false certitudes, offered a ' God' who seems petulant, childish and punishing and divided the world and its peoples into the Good and the Bad. The former , if they obey the rules, achieve Heaven or Paradise , a real version of ' Pie in the Sky when you Die' . While the latter, who don't obey the rules are condemned to an eternal Hell.!   The result  has been to  'turn off'  modern, educated and mature people and produce a rush towards Aethism and Secularisation.

Thus the dualistic approach, along with the patriarchal outlook of much of religion,  has led to a false dichotomy between Science and Religion at its best and deepest level. At their heart both are seeking to understand and experience mystery and to push forward the frontiers of human development and understanding. The great Faith Traditions at their deepest levels have always taught that we all need to experience a change in both heart and mind. The following quote from Albert Einstein emphasises the radical importance of mystery in all areas where humanity searches for truth and wisdom.

NB   In the true spirit of Advaita ( non-dualistism ) , it is important to recognise that for much of life and its inevitable choices; an Either : Or or Binary choice is perfectly acceptable. e.g. Shall I eat ? Yes or No  etc.  ( readers can find countless simple choices of a similar nature).

However, for genuine change ,  where wisdom and discernment are necessary, then being non-dualistic and open to the YES of CHANGE is vital. This also involves being open to possibilities and avoiding the 'certitude' of only 1 perfect solution or answer. To develop our inherent non-dualistic ability requires us to 'step outside the box' , to be open to the possibility of unknowing and to the Mystery that is at the heart of Creation and Evolution. 

Before looking briefly at our growing knowledge in Neuroscience ,let us pause and briefly consider the mystical tradition that underpins all of the great religions and then look at a few quotes from both Buddhism and Christianity ( other Traditions will have many similar examples) that emphasise the connection between Heart and Mind

The Heart of the Matter    All the great religious, spiritual and wisdom traditions have at their heart a deep and strong history of mysticism and wisdom. Thjese hold onto the 'paradox' and non-dualistic teachings of the original sources and masters. Examples are the Wisdom Literature in Judaism, the non-dualistic sayings of Jesus and Paul the first Christian Mystic, the deep wisdom of the Muslim Hadith and the great Sufi Masters , the Upanishads of the Hindu Sages and of course the great teachings of the Buddha. 

However, holding 'paradox' and trying to develop practices and moments of Advaita ( non-dualism) is very difficult. This is especially true for those who wish to find simple answers to complex questions and to have power over others. Slowly over the centuries, the patenalistic and ego-centred and dualistic mind has taken over the great religions. The reult has been a growth in fundamentalism , a centralisation of power , a dualistic Either:Or approach and the erection of barriers  between people and an emphasis on ' there is ONLY one true way '

Thankfully, in all the traditions a contemplative and non-dualistic way survived and tried to hold on to and practice the real and unifying truths at the heart of all the Traditions. Let us look at two of these and at a few quotes from Spiritual Masters. 

Buddhism     Buddhism has always taught about the need for personal change and 'Right Living', with the latter containing 8 Right Ways of living as part of the Buddha's 4 Noble Truths. The Dalai Lama ( a modern Buddhist Master ) teaches about the necessity of changing both Heart and Mind if we are to become less violent and develop greater compassion. Two of his many quotes , which could be used in any book about modern science and brain neuroplasticity,  are as follows :

"A change of heart is always a change of mind. "  and in another talk, vice versa  ( or is it a chicken and egg dilemma ?) "Every change of mind is first of all a change of heart." 
                                 

Whether it starts with the Mind or with the Heart - it seems that either way there is change for the better !

Christianity    Christianity too emphasises the importance of change. It is based on love and on the teachings of Jesus the Christ. His first official and recorded talk was centered on Metanoia. The word Metanoia is from the Greek  ' Changing one's mind'  .  Unfortunately, the translation used  for Metonoia is the word  REPENT !   and this has led to some very poor spiritual teaching and an emphasis on Good versus Evil  etc and a very guilt and shame based spirituality.

 Some important quotes from Jesus are as follows : ' Change your mind ( repent) for the Kingdom of God  is at hand'  and the importance of being at peace ( mind & heart)   'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. '   

The basis of Jesus' teachings on the ' Kingdom' ( a metaphor for a new way of living for all )  is CHANGE .  Whether it begins with the MIND or the HEART  is not important. The important point is the urgent need for  CHANGE and for real change to happen both Heart and Mind need to change.  Here we come to modern Science and to Neuroscience in particular. 

Adverse Impact of Fundamental Spirituality on Mental Health
 
Fundamentalism in Christianity, Islam and, to a lesser extent, Judaism with its emphasis on Good versus Evil, Heaven versus Hell and others dualistic 'choices'  hooks into the shadow part on humanity's ego and increases guilt, shame and a false certainty of ' Our way is the only way and the right way' . It creates division and exacerbates difference intead of promoting a sense of common humanity.
 
Modern neuro-psychology asserts  that this over-emphasis on guilt, shame etc is a basis for much of the mental health problems that beset the West. This is particularly true for  what Viktor Frankl called the the neorotic  triad . This is a mass outbreak of mental health issues rooted in issues and struggles with  Addiction, Aggression and Depression. Any , even superficial, reflection on our modern world and its struggles reveals to growing problems in these 3 areas and the strain they put on our Mental Health Organisations and on our communities.

Truly, both the Buddha and Jesus ( along with Prophets and Sages from other Faith Traditions)  were , and are, right - it is time for Change at the Heart Mind levels.

The next part of these reflections  ( to be published shortly) will look at how modern neuro-science agrees with the concept of change and how changing ones mind can change , for the better, our emotional responses to self and others,

 

Real Spiritual Nectar

WISDOM AND NECTAR

 The Spiritual Journey requires discipline, perseverance and , perhaps most of all, wisdom and discernment.

The Mystics and Sages of all Traditions have warned us of the 'dangers' of reading Sacred Texts at a literal level. This can often result in bigotry and ignorance.

The following is a quote from one of the minor  Hindu Upanishads . It contains distilled wisdom or Amrit 

( Nectar) .