Joe Dispenza- Our Three Brains From Thinking to Doing To Being- TEDx

Summary

This script delves into the human brain's three functional levels: the neocortex for thinking, the limbic system for emotions, and the cerebellum for subconscious actions. It explains how learning and experiences reshape neural connections, leading to personal growth. The narrative illustrates how applying knowledge, like compassion, can alter behavior and neural pathways, ultimately changing one's identity and genetic expression. It emphasizes the importance of repetition in solidifying new behaviors and reaching a state of being, where transformation becomes a natural, subconscious skill.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The human brain is composed of three distinct 'brains': the neocortex (thinking brain), the limbic system (emotional brain), and the cerebellum (reptilian brain).
• 💡 The neocortex is the most evolved part, responsible for conscious awareness and the process of gathering and processing information.
• 🔄 Learning involves creating new synaptic connections in the neocortex, which physically changes the brain's structure.
• 🔗 The principle 'neurons that fire together, wire together' explains how new information is biologically integrated into our neural networks.
• 💬 Remembering is the process of maintaining and sustaining synaptic connections, strengthening the bonds between neurons.
• 🌐 Experiences shape the brain's circuitry by organizing neurons into patterns and releasing chemicals that correspond to emotions or feelings.
• 📚 Personal growth can be achieved by applying intellectual knowledge to real-life situations, which in turn modifies behavior and creates new experiences.
• 🤔 Metacognition is the ability to observe and reflect on one's own thinking, allowing for the modification of behaviors and mindset.
• 🔄 The process of changing one's mind involves silencing old neural pathways and creating new ones that align with desired behaviors and attitudes.
• 🧠 The cerebellum, as the subconscious mind, stores habits and automatic behaviors that become second nature through repetition and practice.
• 🌱 Embodiment of knowledge, such as compassion, involves not just intellectual understanding but also emotional and physical experiences that can change genetic expression.

Q & A

What are the three 'brains' mentioned in the script, and what is the function of each?

The three 'brains' are the neocortex, the limbic brain, and the cerebellum. The neocortex is the newest and most evolved part, responsible for conscious awareness and information processing. The limbic brain, also known as the emotional or mammalian brain, regulates internal chemical order and emotions. The cerebellum, the oldest part, is the seat of the subconscious mind and is responsible for coordination and balance.

How does the neocortex contribute to learning and memory?

The neocortex contributes to learning by creating new synaptic connections every time new information is learned. This process of forging new connections is what defines learning. Memory, on the other hand, is the maintenance and sustaining of these connections. The neocortex physically changes as new information is learned, essentially upscaling its 'hardware'.

What is the significance of the phrase 'nerve cells that fire together, wire together' in neuroscience?

The phrase 'nerve cells that fire together, wire together' signifies the principle in neuroscience that when neurons consistently fire in response to the same stimuli, they form stronger connections, effectively 'wiring' the information into the brain's structure. This is the biological basis for learning and memory.

What are neural networks, and how do they relate to our thoughts and behaviors?

Neural networks are groups of neurons that have fired and wired together to form a community of neurosynaptic connections. They can be related to ideas, concepts, memories, skills, or behaviors. These networks have an electrochemical component and are the basis for our thoughts and actions, as they dictate the patterns in which our brain operates.

How does the script explain the process of changing one's mind through learning and experience?

The script explains that changing one's mind involves learning new information and applying it, which leads to the modification of behavior and the creation of new experiences. This process involves the brain firing in different sequences, patterns, and combinations, leading to the formation of new neural networks that embody the new level of understanding.

What role does the limbic brain play in emotional memory and experiences?

The limbic brain, also known as the emotional brain, is responsible for creating and storing emotional memories. It produces a chemical response when neurons organize into patterns during an experience, releasing a feeling or emotion. This chemical response helps to remember significant emotional events more vividly than routine ones.

How does stress affect the body and the brain?

Stress occurs when the body is knocked out of homeostasis or balance. It triggers the fight or flight response, causing physical changes such as dilated pupils, dry mouth, increased heart rate, and changes in respiratory rate. Stress can be triggered by actual experiences or even thoughts alone, and if not managed, can lead to disease.

What is metacognition, and how does it relate to modifying behavior?

Metacognition is the ability to think about one's own thinking, to pay attention to and observe one's own cognitive processes. It allows individuals to recognize and understand their reactions and feelings, enabling them to modify their behaviors to better navigate life's challenges.

How does the frontal lobe contribute to the process of changing one's self-concept?

The frontal lobe is the seat of awareness and the home of the self-concept. It acts like a volume control, silencing circuits connected to the old self while promoting new patterns of thought and behavior. This process involves 'unhooking' from old behaviors and 'reconnecting' to new ones, effectively changing the mind.

What is the significance of the cerebellum in the process of embodying knowledge and forming habits?

The cerebellum is the seat of the subconscious mind and is crucial in the process of embodying knowledge. When behaviors are practiced repeatedly, they become automatic and second nature, effectively changing the genetic expression and creating a state of innate behavior. This is how habits are formed and maintained.

How does the script define 'mind' in the context of neuroscience?

In the context of neuroscience, the script defines 'mind' as the brain in action, the brain at work, or what the brain does. It emphasizes that the mind is not a separate entity but rather the result of the brain's activity, which can be changed by altering the brain's patterns of operation.