Rewiring the Mind: The Union of Buddhism and Neuroscience
Written on
Chapter 1: Understanding Neural Pathways
Recent advancements in science have revealed that the essence of your personality resides within your brain. Your actions, habits, and thoughts are all initiated here, and thanks to brain imaging technologies, neuroscientists have been able to chart these processes much like mapping a route on Google Maps.
Neural pathways, which consist of networks of neurons linked through synapses, enable communication between different parts of the brain. These pathways play a crucial role in shaping your behaviors and habits—essentially defining who you are.
As certain neurons engage in frequent communication, they develop stronger connections, transforming pathways into fast-travel routes. This is what makes familiar tasks—like driving or brushing your teeth—feel automatic.
Have you ever found yourself driving to work and suddenly wondered how you arrived? That’s the influence of your neural pathways at work.
Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
The more you repeat an action, the more instinctive it becomes. This applies to any behavior, thought pattern, or emotional response, all tied back to your neural pathways.
This is also why establishing a new habit or acquiring a new skill can be challenging. You’re essentially asking neurons in your brain that have never interacted before to start collaborating on a daily basis.
Consider the scenario of meeting someone new while socializing. Are you likely to reach out to them the next day? Or the day after? Building a deep friendship can take years!
Fortunately, forming robust connections in your brain is much quicker. Research indicates that our neurons need approximately 66 days to establish a new connection. However, this period can vary based on factors such as motivation and frequency of practice.
While the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to change—is relatively modern, its roots can be traced back to ancient wisdom. Teachers from centuries past understood this principle long before it was scientifically validated.
Take the Buddhist teaching of Right Effort, a practice handed down from the Buddha that focuses on nurturing positive mental states and overcoming negative ones through four main steps:
Section 1.1: The Steps of Right Effort
- Preventing Negative States: Avoid situations that may trigger unwholesome thoughts. By recognizing potential triggers, you can weaken the neural pathways linked to feelings of anger or despair.
- Abandoning Negative States: When negative emotions arise, consciously work to let them go. This requires mindfulness to acknowledge their presence and the commitment to let them fade away. Buddha's teachings encourage us to face and transform these feelings rather than evade them.
Image by author
- Cultivating Positive States: Actively seek out experiences that foster positive mental states. Similar to the first step, this involves being aware of what brings you joy and intentionally incorporating these elements into your life.
- Maintaining Positive States: Once a positive mental state is achieved, focus on strengthening it. The more you reinforce this mental state or neural pathway, the easier it will become to remain in that positive mindset.
Photo by Madison Oren on Unsplash
Imagine enhancing the neural pathway of joy. This process might feel slow initially, but after 66 days, you could find yourself able to invoke that joy simply by recalling it, and you’ll be able to maintain that joyful state for extended periods.
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. It’s best not to discriminate between the two.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
This illustrates the power of Right Effort—a practice taught by the Buddha thousands of years ago that has been shown to have the ability to rewire our brains.
Chapter 2: Insights from Modern Neuroscience
In the video "Buddha's Brain | Rick Hanson | Talks at Google," Rick Hanson delves into how understanding our brain's wiring can help us cultivate positive mental states, echoing the teachings of Buddhism.
In another enlightening talk, "Rick Hanson: How to Change Your Brain," he discusses practical strategies for altering our neural pathways to enhance mental well-being.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Did you find the information valuable? Join my (free) newsletter for more insightful articles directly to your inbox.