How to SAVE YOUR MIND: learn what no one teaches you

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Orion Taban addresses the critical need for individuals to 'save their minds' by taking control of their thoughts and beliefs. He explains that by the age of 25, most people's minds are filled with information, beliefs, and attitudes instilled by external influences, leaving little room for original thought. Taban likens the process of mental decluttering to dealing with a hoarder's house, emphasizing the emotional attachments that make it difficult to let go of unhelpful or false beliefs. He suggests a methodical approach to examining each thought, questioning its origin, truthfulness, and utility, and encourages individuals to consciously choose what to retain. Taban also stresses the importance of controlling the intake of new information, especially from media, to prevent the mind from being inundated with potentially harmful content. His message is a call to action for self-discovery and authenticity, urging individuals to take the time to critically assess their mental inventory and live a life true to their own identity.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The human mind reaches full physical maturity around age 25, with emotional or psychological maturity occurring even later.
• 🧐 Most people cannot think critically and independently until they are at least 25 due to the influence of external factors.
• 📚 By the age of 25, one's mind is often filled with beliefs, attitudes, and facts instilled by parents, teachers, and society without personal consent.
• 🧐 The challenge of thinking independently is compounded by emotional attachments to these pre-existing beliefs and attitudes.
• 🔄 Around the age of 30, individuals often begin to recognize the need to 'declutter' their minds of unhelpful or false information.
• 🏠 The process of mental decluttering is likened to a hoarder's house, filled with items that may have emotional significance but are not necessarily useful.
• 🤔 To save one's mind, it's crucial to introspect and question the origin, truth, and utility of each belief and attitude.
• 🚫 Dr. Orion suggests limiting the intake of new information, especially from media sources, to prevent the mind from being flooded with unexamined content.
• ⏸️ The speaker personally stopped watching the news and using social media apps to prevent the influx of potentially harmful information.
• 🌱 As one begins to declutter their mind, they become more discerning about the beliefs and attitudes they choose to adopt.
• ⛔️ The process of mental decluttering is laborious and time-consuming but necessary for achieving individuality and personal well-being.

Q & A

According to Dr. Orion Taban, at what age does a human being typically reach full physical maturity?

Dr. Orion Taban states that a human being typically reaches full physical maturity at the age of 25.

What is the main challenge people face in terms of cognitive development?

The main challenge is that by the time individuals reach maturity, their minds are filled with beliefs, attitudes, and facts instilled by others, often without their conscious permission or the ability to critically evaluate them.

What does Dr. Taban suggest is the consequence of not 'saving your mind'?

The consequence of not saving your mind is that individuals may never truly become well-rounded, independent individuals. They might end up living their lives as mere reflections of their culture and historical context without ever discovering their authentic selves.

How does Dr. Taban describe the process of clearing out one's mind of unhelpful thoughts?

Dr. Taban compares it to dealing with a hoarder's house, where one must turn their attention inward and carefully examine each thought, questioning its origin, truthfulness, and usefulness, and then discarding what no longer serves them.

What is the role of emotional attachments in holding onto unhelpful beliefs and attitudes?

Emotional attachments make it difficult to let go of unhelpful beliefs and attitudes because they are tied to personal relationships, cultural norms, or past experiences, even if they are not true or useful.

Why does Dr. Taban recommend controlling the intake of new information?

Controlling the intake of new information helps prevent the mind from being flooded with unexamined beliefs and attitudes that could potentially be unhelpful or false, thus preserving the progress made in decluttering the mind.

What does Dr. Taban suggest as a practical step to avoid the influx of unexamined information?

As a practical step, Dr. Taban stopped watching the news and avoided social media platforms, which he considers to be more dangerous than most people realize, to prevent new unexamined beliefs from entering his mind.

What is the importance of critically examining the contents of one's consciousness?

Critically examining the contents of one's consciousness is essential for becoming an individual and for ensuring that one's beliefs and attitudes are true and useful. It allows for a more authentic and meaningful life experience.

How does Dr. Taban define 'saving your mind'?

Saving your mind, as defined by Dr. Taban, involves the process of divesting oneself of unhelpful or false beliefs and attitudes that were instilled by others, and replacing them with thoughts and ideas that are consciously chosen and supportive of one's authentic self.

What does Dr. Taban suggest is the impact of not learning to think for oneself?

The impact of not learning to think for oneself is that individuals might live their entire lives without ever truly understanding who they are, leading to a sense of unfulfillment or a nagging feeling that something is missing.

What is the significance of the analogy of a hoarder's house in the context of cognitive decluttering?

The analogy of a hoarder's house signifies the difficulty and emotional attachment involved in letting go of thoughts and beliefs that are no longer useful. It emphasizes the need for a deliberate and time-consuming process to clear the mind of such 'junk' and make room for more valuable insights.