[Neurons] 2018 Neurons #49 SAY 'HELLO' TO YOUR PREFRONTAL LOBES

Sun Nov 11 21:01:22 EST 2018

From: L. Michael Hall

2018 Neurons #49

November 12, 2018

Neuro-Semantics and Modern Challenges (#7)

SAY "HELLO" TO YOUR

PREFRONTAL LOBES

As a neuro-linguistic being, your neurology is designed to map the territory
which is outside your skin.  You do that by the neurological structures
(nervous systems, lower nerve centers, higher nerve centers of the cortex,
etc.) inside your skin.  Korzybski, who invented the terminology of
"neuro-linguistic," expended great effort to describe the structure of the
world beyond our nervous systems and how we experience them via our
neurology and which we then "abstract" (summarize) to create some kind of
internal code by which we can then adapt and adjust to that world.  To do so
enables you to live successfully, to fail to do so results in semantic
shocks and reactions.

Now what is actually "out there" in the "territory" are energy
manifestations-the electromagnetic spectrum of vibrations.  And the great
majority of this spectrum we cannot input and/or code.  We have no sense
receptors for receiving electromagnetic waves of ultra-violet rays, x-rays,
gamma-rays, etc.  For such we have to use extra-neural devices in order to
pick up the vibrations.

What we do have sense receptors for are very slow vibrations that we record
as sensation (touch), sound, heat, light, etc.  Korzybski called this level
that of the Event which is beyond us and we cannot access, then comes the
level where we experience things as an Object.  This is the un-speakable
level; words cannot get to this level.  After that comes the sense level
(see, hear, feel, smell, taste, balance)- the sensory-based level; it is
also un-speakable level.  Next comes the level of Labels - where we use
words to label the objects that we do detect.  The levels of Labels then
continues as we abstract more conceptual words for the simpler words.  The
last level is that of Inference where we draw conclusions, generalizations,
create laws, premises, etc.

Given this, re-consider the old formulation of map and territory that
Korzybski as a metaphor: "The map is not the territory."  The fact is-we are
levels away from the territory when we are able to begin to detect it at the
un-speakable level and especially when we start using words.

In your nervous system, your sense receptors trigger bio-electrical impulses
as you receive "information" about the outside world. You then process that
information as you "abstract"(summarize and transform) it from one order of
abstraction to the next.  In this way you create a map of the outside world.
All the while, you are activating your lower nerve centers and so
experiencing emotions and other affective states.  From there your system is
designed to send those impulses (that level of abstractions) upward to the
next level.

Neurologically you have lower and then higher nerve regions.  The lower
nerve areas effect your biological and emotional areas (breathing,
digestion, etc.).  This occurs in the lower sub-cortical levels (the
thalamus region, hippocampus, etc.). The higher nerve areas, your cortex
make up the executive functions of your mind-body system.  These higher
order structures within your frontal cortex and prefrontal lobes are the
structures by which you exercise several executive functions.  Among your
higher executive functions are- 

              Consciousness of being conscious (self-awareness)

              Consciousness of abstracting (mindfulness and/or
meta-awareness)

              Understanding, conceptualizing, language acquisition and use.

Insight, judgment, decision-making, sense of responsibility, beauty, ethics,
etc.        

Awareness is only the beginning of human consciousness.  When you are aware
of the world around you, we say that you are a sentient being.  With
awareness you "come to your senses" and input the sensory information all
around here.  This is the life of animals, infants, and small children.
They live in the present moment, in the here-and-now world. 

The next level is knowing that you are aware.  This launches you into the
unique human adventure of self-consciousness.  When you learn to manage your
awareness effectively ("run your own brain") which includes managing your
emotions (EQ, emotional intelligence), you become mindful.  This awareness
of your awareness is a meta-awareness enabling you to become your own CEO-
the executive of your life- making informed, mindful, wise executive
decisions.

This is the theme and focus of the new book, Executive Thinking (2018) as
well as the training.  It obviously includes how to think clearly and
precisely which is the heart of "critical thinking."   It also includes
creative and innovative thinking- the thinking that enables you to identify,
define, and solve problems (Creative Solutions, 2017).  In other words, it
is an invitation to- 

"Say hello to your pre-frontal lobes and to step up to more fully use your
most powerful and essential human semantic mechanism- thinking and
meaning-making.

You inevitably construct mental models as you seek to navigate the
challenges of life.  Yet in doing that, you need to be able to "abstract"
through the orders, distinguishing the levels, thinking critically about the
structure of your map-making, use your highest neurological levels.  When
you do, you can then be mindful, develop sound insights, make high quality
decisions, learn, unlearn, eliminate cognitive distortions and fallacies,
and so much more.  

This thinking journey is a learning journey and a meaning-making journey.
To do it well, you need to go for accuracy, precise, and specificity.  You
have to be skeptical about your own thinking processes (your brain is
fallible and often wrong), and you have to keep testing the robustness of
your mental map.  Are you ready for that adventure?

The book "Executive Thinking" is available on the website---
www.neurosemantics.com 

              The first training in it is in Jakarta Indonesia

              Nov. 21-22   via Meta-Mind

              Mariani <mailto:Mariani%1f_ng at meta-mind.com>
-_ng at meta-mind.com 

L. Michael Hall, Ph.D., Executive Director 

Neuro-Semantics 

P.O. Box 8

Clifton, CO. 81520 USA                             

               1 970-523-7877 

                    Dr. Hall's email:
<mailto:meta at acsol.net\hich\af31506\dbch\af31505\loch\f31506> meta at acsol.net

    cid:261CED33-4408-4124-862B-B9A4B37A367A

Dr. L. Michael Hall writes a post on "Neurons" each Monday.  For a free
subscription, sign up on www.neurosemantics.com.   On that website you can
click on Meta-Coaching for detailed information and training schedule.   To
find a Meta-Coach see  <http://www.metacoachfoundation.org>
www.metacoachfoundation.org.   For Neuro-Semantic Publications --- click
"Products," there is also a catalog of books that you can download.   

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