"How and when did the capacity to create an idea come about in the first place? This question has perplexed ancient and modern philosophers, scientists in the fields of human development and evolution, and most of the rest of us." (The First Idea, p1)
The book, which is outlined in the next link, shows how the capacity to create symbols and to think stems from our passions, our emotions. It shows how emotions actually gave birth to our human ability to create symbols and to think and how they continue to do so:
"How do human beings develop their highest mental abilities, the abilities to symbolize and think? In addition, how did these distinctly human abilities arise during the course of evolution? In short, how did we become human beings and how do we maintain our humanness?" (p1)
Since our highest mental abilities include thinking and the use of symbols, as free thinking self-liberated adult human beings, we can choose to use carefully chosen words or symbols to maximize what is best for the most people and to minimize the damage the symbols do to others and to the global environment, which we all must share now and in the future:
You are welcome to make a printout of the following Thoughts Mindmap Note Form to summarize the factual ideas that you want to remember from any of the book summaries and outlines in this Thoughts Training Abstracts category:
You can turn "work" into "play" and get more fullfilling fun out of your life by knowing exactly how your brain was designed by evolution to function. The key to enhancing your personal success and business productivity both at home and at work is to make it an essential goal in your life to learn everything you can about how your brain works.
You can quickly learn how the physical parts of your brain, your brain anatomy, influence every thought and feeling you experience. Your success now and in the future with friends, relatives, and co-workers will mainly depend upon how well you understand your brain's true potential of being supremely adaptable --- its "neuroplasticity".
You can take advantage of the pattern of "brain science facts" contained in the hundreds of published references linked to this website. They include such important books as the following four books listed below:
The first book combines two strategic ideas: namely, the importance of knowing the new "brain science facts" in a comprehensive way and the wisdom of using visually oriented diagrams or "mindmaps" to enhance your understanding of how your brain works. The second book represents a biological viewpoint of how your brain works from an evolutionary point-of-view. It provides an overview of brain function and the linkage between psychological behavior and biological brain processes. The third book provides eight strategies for keeping your mind sharp and your body young based on extensive research about how your memory works. The fourth book explains the new research behind the "brain science facts" and the new concept of "Social Intelligence". It describes why your relationship network is so essential for your health and happiness and overall satisfaction.
In addition,the following two links provide excellent book outlines of what you can do to integrate the new brain science facts into your long-term memory. By using your or diagraming or mindmapping skills, you can make spatial connections between the words, names, and ideas that you choose to use. You will be optimizing your own brainpower as you learn how your brain actually works from the best brain experts competing for your attention today.
Moreover, you can review more logical evidence of what makes you "human" by scanning the comprehensive outlines of the next three books about the true relationships between your mind and body at the following three links:
You can make your billions of brain cells, called "neurons", operate better for you by choosing to make better connections between your five senses and the thinking and feeling parts of your brain. By understanding how your dendrites and synapses and major brain parts operate to control your sensory and motor neurons, you will be able to realize how your future destiny depends upon the quality of your self-knowledge now, today, no matter what culturally conditioned habits you have acquired in the past.
During this process of "critical thinking", you will be learning about the negative obstacles cultural institutions place in your way to becoming a "liberated thinker and doer" and how these obstacles attempt to turn you into a victim and stymy your rational thoughts processes.
The rest of your lifetime is about the freedom of choice you have to use the volumunous information or knowledge that has been organized for you in the Brainpower Mindset of essential categories of ideas. The categories and ideas can become a foundation for your further exploration of the uncertain but predictable possibilities just ahead of you in the future.
The supreme issue for you is whether or not it is better to base your choices on genuine scientific knowledge about the nature of reality or on unproven so-called spiritual options or religious opinions such as mythical, magical, prejudicial, superstitious, or stereotypical explanations and attitudes or mindsets. These addictive mindsets about the nature of reality can confuse and bewilder you beyond rational sensibility.
Daniel Amen's Brain Scans
Daniel Amen, who is one of the most influential pioneer researchers in developing the new "brain science facts", is a professor and researcher at the University of California at Irvine. His website provides access to the most complete information about the use of "SPECT" brain scans for diagnosing brain disorders and abilities available to the general public around the world:
This true scientific information can help you learn how to apply your own unique brainpower skills to your best advantage as you seek to accomplish your most cherished goals. Other brain researchers have written about their findings about your amazing brain and its changes during recorded history in the selected books whose summaries are presented in this Thoughts Training Abstract, such as:
"The greatest achievement of the human brain is its ability to imagine the world as it might be!"
"And, most of us make at least three important decisions in our lives:
[1] Where to live,
[2] What to do, and
[3] With whom to do it."
"Making these decisions is such a natural part of adulthood that it is easy to forget that we are among the first human beings to make them in recorded history." (Quotes by Daniel Gilbert in book link below)
Now that you are aware of the most important skill-sets necessary for effective self-analysis and understanding, you can imagine a wheel of interconnected essential concepts that can all assist you in strengthening your skill-sets and Brainpower Mindset.
[0] MEGACREATIVITY --- 5 STEPS TO THINKING LIKE A GENIUS
[3] THINKING FOR A CHANGE --- 11 WAYS
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE APPROACH LIFE AND WORK
Change your thinking and change your life! Understand the value of "good thinking." It is a different way to think!
1) Changing from negative to positive thinking is not always easy, especially if you have a difficult time with change. For some, it is a life-long struggle. Most people's number one challenge regarding making positive personal changes is their FEELINGS!
They may want to change, but they do not know how to get past their emotions! But there is a way to do it. Take a look at the "truth" contained in the following syllogism:
MAJOR PREMISE = I can control my thoughts.
MINOR PREMISE = My feelings come from my thoughts.
CONCLUSION = I can control my feelings by controlling my thoughts!
[1] Good thinking increases your potential
[2] Good thinking produces more good thinking --- IF you make it happen!
This book does not try to tell you WHAT to think --- but the book does attempt to teach you HOW to think!
[3] You can learn to develop each of these 11 kinds of thinking and become a MASTER THINKER --- so your life will change the way you want it to!
Advice from a good thinker --- THINKING QUESTION: "Do I believe that good thinking can change my life?"
2) Realize the impact of changed thinking
3) Master the process of "intentional thinking"
ELEVEN THINKING SKILLS EVERY SUCCESSUL PERSON NEEDS
SKILL 1 --- Seeing the wisdom of "big picture" thinking
SKILL 2 --- Unleashing the potential of "focused" thinking
SKILL 3 --- Discovering the joy of "creative" thinking
SKILL 4 --- Recognizing the importance of "realistic" thinking
SKILL 5 --- Releasing the power of "strategic" thinking
SKILL 6 --- Feeling the energy of "possibility" thinking
SKILL 7 --- Embracing the lessons of "reflective" thinking
SKILL 8 --- Questioning the acceptance of "popular" thinking
SKILL 9 --- Encouraging the participation of "shared" thinking
SKILL 10 --- Experiencing the satisfaction of "unselfish" thinking
SKILL 11 --- Enjoying the return of "bottom-line" thinking
This book does not try to tell you what to think --- but it does attempt to teach you HOW TO THINK!
You can learn to develop each of these 11 kinds of thinking and become a MASTER THINKER
Thus your life will change and become the way you want it to be!
Quote by P. & J. Medawar in the book The Life of Science, 1977
"For a biologist the alternative to thinking in evolutionary terms is not to think at all." From the book The Healing Mind, p277
The newly developing field of "psychoneuroimmunology" is proving that the traditional Western dualism concerning the separation of your mind and body is misleading. New research in psychology and neurobiology has produced new knowledge about how your brain can either strengthen or weaken your immune system and, therefore, your health. The links between your body and mind have been intricately constructed by evolution over many thousands of years. Now the secrets of optimum health can be learned by understanding how your brain can malfunction if it is not understood properly cared for.
Your physical health affects your mind and, therefore, your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Also your thoughts, emotions and behavior, can influence your physical health. Intricate biological and psychological links that exist between your mind and body:
Examples from medical research as well as classic literatary novels illustrate the links between psychological factors and disease, which have been accurately observed for centuries. The illustrations help convey complex scientific ideas in a recognizable form. Since many people, including doctors and scientists, still find it inherently easier to believe in the reality of apparently simple-minded physical causes of disease, such as high cholesterol or excessive salt in your diet, smoking, lack of exercise, bacteria or viruses, than to accept the fact that your thinking itself can affect your health.
By understanding this critical connection more completely, you can reconcile many familiar ideas about "psychosomatic" illnesses by learning how your mind and body affect each other:
"There is little doubt that the mind can --- and does --- alter immunity. Psychological and emotional factors in various guises can influence both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune function. The mind-immunity connections have been demonstrated and replicated in so many ways and in so many laboratories that they can no longer be considered even mildly controversial."
[6] UNLOCK YOUR BRAINPOWER
BY FREEING YOURSELF FROM OBSESSIVE/COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
Introduction --- This book is about obsessions and compulsions and the "FOUR-STEP"self-treatment method to successfully change your brain chemistry and controlling your intrusive negative feelings and urges.
Summary --- of the four steps for "re-attributing" your intrusive feelings (urges):
Step 1 --- RE-LABEL = You must recognize that the intrusive obsessive
thoughts and urges are the RESULT of "OCD." You must call the
intrusive thought or urge to do a troublesome compulsive behavior exactly what
it is! It is an obsessive thought or a compulsive urge. You must
develop the ability to recognize the difference between the unpleasant feelings that "OCD" symptoms cause and reality!
Step 2 --- RE-ATTRIBUTE = You must realize that the intensity and intrusiveness of the thought or urge is CAUSED by "OCD," which is probably related to a biochemical imbalance in the brain . You must ask the question, "Why does this keep bothering me?" And, you must answer it by accepting that you have a medical condition called "OCD."
Step 3 --- RE-FOCUS = You must work around the "OCD" thoughts by
focusing your attention on something more constructive, at least for
a few minutes. DO ANOTHER BEHAVIOR by "shifting gears" and performing an alternative, wholesome behavior. You can actually repair the "gearbox" in your own brain by learning how to "RE-FOCUS" in a consistent way!
This is where the hardest work is done and where the change in brain chemistry takes place. However, things come together very quickly, resulting in an almost automatic response. You can recognize"OCD" thoughts as "false" messages!
Step 4 --- RE-VALUE = Don't take the "OCD" thought at face value! It is NOT significant in itself. You must "RE-VALUE" those thoughts and urges when they arise. You will learn to "devalue" unwanted obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges as soon as they intrude.
You will come to see intrusive "OCD" symptoms as the useless "garbage" they really are.
Results:
First, you can gain better control over your responses
to your own thoughts and feelings, which makes day-to-day living much happier
and healthier.
Second, by changing your behavior, you can change the "faulty" brain
chemistry that was causing the intense discomfort of your OCD symptoms.
Since it has been scientifically demonstrated that the brain chemistry in this serious psychiatric condition is changed through the practice of the "four-step" plan, you can CHANGE your own brain chemistry by altering your responses to many other "bad habits." You can LESSEN the intensiveness and intrusiveness of the unwanted habits and behaviors, which will make them EASIER to break.
You can apply this OCD treatment plan to any serious thoughts you may have that impact your choices and decisions for future behaviors or action plans.
[7] SEVEN SINS OF MEMORY --- HOW THE MIND FORGETS AND REMEMBERS
We tend to think of memories as snapshots from family albums that, if stored properly, could be retrieved in precisely the same condition in which they were put away. But we now know that we do not record our experiences the way a camera records them.
Our memories work differently.
We extract key elements from our experiences and store them. We then recreate or reconstruct our experiences rather than retrieve copies of them.
Sometimes, in the process of reconstructing we add on feelings, beliefs, or even knowledge we obtained after the experience. In other words, we bias our memories of the past by attributing to them emotions or knowledge we acqauired after the event.
Why have our memory systems come to exhibit bothersome and sometimes dangerous properties? Do the seven sins of memory represent mistakes made by Mother Nature during the course of evolution? Probably not. To the contrary, each of the seven sins of memory is a by-product of otherwise desirable and adaptive features of the human mind.
Consider by analogy the ancient seven deadly sins of pride, anger, envy, greed, gluttony, lust, and sloth, which each have great potential to get you into trouble. Yet each of the seven ancient deadly sins can be seen as an exaggeration of traits that are useful and sometimes necessary for survival.
This book argues for a similar approach to the seven memory sins. Rather than portraying them as inherent weaknesses or flaws in system design, they provide a window on the adaptive strengths of memory. The seven sins of memory allow you to appreciate why memory works as well as it does most of the time, and why it evolved the design that it has. Although the focus of this book is on the problems that the seven sins of memory cause in everyday life, it shows why memory is mainly a reliable guide to your past and your future even though it can let you down in annoying but revealing ways.
Accelerated learning is based on the scientific discoveries of HOW the human brain works and HOW the memory works. How can "FACTS" be rapidly and deeply fixed in your memory? Accelerated learning works by setting up memorable visual and aural "associations" in your mind that are simultaneously absorbed
by both the "conscious" and "unconscious" parts of your brain!
In the past, learning was based on the idea that determined concentration and frequent repetition was essential. Now science has proven that such learning is inefficient because it causes unnecessary tension and it tends to involve just one half of your brain. Instead, accelerated learning is based on the idea that more efficient learning can be achieved in a pleasantly relaxed receptive state of mind when information is presented in new ways that actively involve both the "left" and "right" sides of your brain!
The amazing result and paradox is that a learner puts in no more conscious effort than normal, since the learner is relaxed. Also, when facts are contained in sentences that are short and rhythmical, they can be more easily remembered. The new information is thus "positioned" so it can be absorbed in the "peripheral vision" of your mind (your "whole brain").
This accelerated learning process creates new interesting associations among the facts" you want to learn because of a sophisticated form of creative "PLANNED REPETITION." This deliberate conscious exercise of your brain "LOCKS" the new information into your long-term memory resources. Thus, for efficient and fulfilling learning, you must THINK planned repetition, planned repetition, planned repetition!
In summary, you can accelerate your learning by creating a pleasant, relaxed receptive state of mind and by categorizing or "chunking" new information that you want to learn in new ways, which actively involve both the left and right sides of your brain!
[9] THE MEMORY BIBLE ---
AN INNOVATIVE STRATEGY FOR KEEPING YOUR BRAIN YOUNG
A proven way to improve your memory involves training yourself to accomplish three basic skills: LOOK, SNAP, and CONNECT!
The following THREE effective memory skills can be easily learned:
(1) LOOK --- Actively observe what you want to learn!
Slow down, take notice, and focus on what you want to remember. Consciously absorb details
and meaning from a new face, event or conversation.
(2) SNAP --- Create mental "snapshots" of memories!
Create a "mental snapshot" of the visual information you wish to remember. Add details to give the
"snaps" personal meaning and make them easier to learn and recall later.
(4) CONNECT --- Link your "mental snapshots" together!
Associate the "images-to-be-remembered" in a chain, starting with the first image, which is associated
with the second, the second with the third, and so forth. Be sure the first image helps you recall the reason for remembering the chain.
With this dynamic process you can improve or restor your ability to remember.
You can maximize your ability or power to learn subjects fast --- if you understand the following
proven assumptions and facts about your own ability to learn:
1) Basic assumption = You are already a FABULOUS learner
2) You can overcome the four barriers to "instant learning" by actively
neutralizing the following four negative attitudes or barriers to learning:
(1) Learning BARRIER ONE = "Learning is boring!" REMEDY = to reverse
and rephrase your barrier statement into its opposite, such as "Learning is exciting,
involving and interesting!"
(2) Learning BARRIER TWO = "I am NOT a good learner!" REMEDY =
to reverse and rephrase your barrier statement into its opposite, such as "I am an excellent
learner who has already learned a lot about a lot of subjects!"
(3) Learning BARRIER THREE = "I can NOT learn this subject!" REMEDY
= to reverse and rephrase your barrier statement into its opposite, such as "I learned my job
and many survival skills and many subjects in school --- and I can learn this subject, too!"
(4) Learning BARRIER FOUR = "I will NOT remember what I learned!"
REMEDY = to reverse and rephrase your barrier statement into its opposite, such
as "I have already learned to remember many important things, including names,
facts and dates --- and I can and will remember the most important aspects of this
subject, too!
3) You can reward yourself for successful learning experiences!
You can tap into and activate your own "optimum learning state" by accessing your "inner optimum
learner."
One way to discover your personal learning style is to discover what your
best "learning senses" are.
A Harvard University study proved that you have at least SEVEN learning senses:
(1) Verbal
(2) Logical
(3) Visual
(4) Musical
(5) Kinesthetic --- body movement
(6) Intrapersonal --- self knowledge
(7) Interpersonal --- knowing others
The next time you are faced with a learning opportunity, THINK about what your
own BEST learning sense or senses are?
Are they verbal, logical, visual, musical, kinesthetic, intrapersonal, or interpersonal, or a combination
thereof?
Then apply that knowledge to acquiring a new skill or mastering new data!
You can master the three "stages of learning," which are:
(1) Before learning --- Planning and action "preparation"
(2) While learning --- Propositions and "revised propositions"
(3) After learning --- "Attaching yourself" to the knowledge
Three good insights that can help you change your life for the better:
1) Do NOT THINK in extreme black-or-white terms of DICHOTOMIES but use
CONTINUUMS
instead!
2) Do NOT THINK in absolute words like "always, never, every time, everyone" since that behavior distorts issues by over-generalization.
3) Do NOT THINK only about the NEGATIVE THINGS in your life!
=========================================
This short list of the best ways to improve your brainpower by changing some of your habits, is from a list of 50 recommendations for optimizing your own brain function. You can break the "bad brain habits" that hold you back from happily and successfully getting what you want out of life:
=========================================
BRAIN "DOs"
(1) Do wear a helmet in high-risk situations
(2) Do drink lots of water --- six to eight 8-ounce glasses daily --- to stay well hydrated
(3) Do eat healthfully --- adjusting the proportion of protein and carbohydrate to your brain needs
(5) Do think positive, healthy thoughts
(6) Do love, feed, and exercise your internal "anteater" to rid yourself of automatic
negative thoughts or "ANTs!"
(7) Do take time to focus on the things you are grateful for in your life daily
(8) Do watch the Disney movie Pollyanna
(9) So spend time with positive, uplifting people
(10) Do spend time with people you want to be like --- you will more likely become like them
(11) Do work on your "people skills" to become more connected and to enhance limbic bonds
(14) Do build a "library" of wonderful experiences
(15) Do make a difference in the life of someone else
(16) Do exercise
(17) Do regularly connect with your loved ones
(18) Do learn diaphragmatic breathing
(19) Do learn and use self-hypnosis and meditation on a daily basis
(20) Do remember the "18/40/60 Rule" --- At eighteen, you worry about what everybody is thinking
about you. At forty, you don't give a damn about what anybody thinks about you. And at sixty
you realize that nobody's been thinking about you at all! People spend their life worrying and thinking about themselves --- not you!!
(24) Do collect "penguins" --- in order to remind yourself to notice the good things
about the people in your life, since it is unnatural for most people to notice what they like about their life or about others, especially if they unconsciously use turmoil in their life to stimulate their prefrontal cortex
(22) Do develop clear goals for your life --- relationships, work, money, self --- and reaffirm them daily
(23) Do focus on what you like a lot more than what you don't like
(50) Do full "brain evaluations" for people who do terrible things
=========================================
DON'T DO the selections from a list of 50 things that can PREDICTABLY
cause you to be dysfunctional in the clinical sense of being preoccupied with
"bad brain habits" since they are self-destructive and can lead
to unhappiness!
=========================================
BRAIN "DON'Ts"
(10) Don't eat without forethought about what foods are best for your brain
(17) Don't allow your breathing to get out of control
(18) Don't think in "black-or-white" terms or absolute dichotomies --- use continuums
instead!
(19) Don't think in words like "always, never, every time, everyone" --- distortion by
generalization!
(20) Don't focus on the negative things in your life!
(21) Don't predict the worst
(22) Don't think only with your feelings!
(23) Don't try to read other people's minds
(24) Don't blame other people for your problems
(25) Don't label yourself or others with negative terms
(26) Don't beat up yourelf or others with guilt --- since it is a very ineffective emotion
(27) Don't personalize situations that have little to do with you
(28) Don't feed your automatic negative thoughts or "ANTs"
(30) Don't talk to others in a hateful way
(31) Don't push people away from you
(35) Don't allow your life to just happen without you directing and planning it
(36) Don't take the "stimulant bait" from other people
(37) Don't be another person's "stimulant bait"
(38) Don't allow your thoughts to go over and over in your head
(39) Don't automatically say "No!" to others --- think first if what they want fits with your
goals
(40) Don't automatically say "Yes!" to others --- think first if what they want fits with yor goals
(44) Don't listen to toxic music
(48) Don't deny that you have problems
(49) Don't refuse to listen to the people you love who are trying to tell you to get help
(50] Don't withhold love, touch and companionship from those you love as a way to express anger
[14] TOO TIRED TO KEEP RUNNING, TOO SCARED
TO STOP --- CHANGE YOUR BELIEFS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE
In this book the quest for meaning can be called "deep democracy." This strategy teaches non-judgmental sharing and the utter uniqueness of every single being.
This concept is a challenge to the old "monarchal patriarchal cosmology" that has ruled the west for centuries.
The monarchal cosmology is hierarchal and based on authoritative power, which produces rigid belief systems, that demand the conformity of one's mind and will to the higher authority and the suppression of one's emotions except the fear of the authority. Wake up from the "patriarchal trance" and practice the "examined life!" (John Brandshaw)
Awareness is the beginning of change. Your core "belief blueprint" can guide you as you continue to create your own personal reality through self-discovery. Create a vision by writing in your personal journal how you would like to experience wholeness, joy, fulfillment and the expression of your potential. Describe your life positively and in the present tense. Imagine that you are writing to a friend and telling it as if it is happening now.
Use the Chart of Priorities to rearrange your priorities and the amount of energy and time you give them to create a balance in your life. Cover all eight of the following areas:
[1] Self___
[2] Family___
[3] Friends___
[4] Work___
[5] Pleasure___
[6] Spirituality___
[7] Health___
[8] Exercise___
After you have finished your narrative about yourself to your imaginary friend, read this vision every night before you go to sleep. In your vision, how do you appear?
How do you feel?
How do you act?
As new information comes to you, edit and rewrite your vision.
Explore the behavior changes and choices that are necessary to change this vision from your imagination to reality.
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