The Mind and the Brain

Mind Matters by Gordon Bruin

In this episode, I'll discuss the mind versus the brain and how to navigate hardwiring issues. The brain is our physical organ, shaped by experiences, while the mind represents our life force or spirit.

I witnessed my father's passing at 86; his energy departed from his body, leaving only a shell - illustrating that we're more than just our brains. Our minds encompass an energy beyond the physical.

Our brains learn through associations and are sensitive to negative experiences due to survival mechanisms like the limbic system. This can lead people with traumatic pasts to feel perpetually unsafe or stuck.

However, hope lies in recognizing that we only truly have the present moment. Although our brains may trick us into reliving past traumas as if they were current events, understanding this illusion helps us focus on now.

Five years from now holds countless potential versions of ourselves influenced by daily choices. George Bernard Shaw said it well: "Life isn't about finding yourself but creating yourself." We co-create our lives through decisions – a concept central to neuroplasticity which allows for rewiring neural pathways towards joy and fulfillment.

To rewire your subconscious effectively:

1. Find alpha or theta brainwave music online.
2. Record questions in your voice that prompt positive introspection (e.g., "Why am I becoming healthier?").
3. Practice listening during meditative states typically before sleep or upon waking up.

This technique encourages mental shifts away from learned helplessness toward optimism and self-creation—a transformative practice when consistently applied despite any doubts you might encounter along the way.