The Art of Patient Communication
Unearthing the Complex Distortions of the Mind. How to Master Authentic Self-expression.
In the realm of human consciousness, the intricate interplay between thought and action shapes our perceptions and, more important, our behaviors. By separating the nuanced dynamics of the mind with those of the physical-emotional body, we can begin to discover more precisely the source and beautiful logic of our choices.
Mind as a Simulation Program
The mind, a ceaseless generator of thoughts and imagery, exerts its influence on our very being every moment. Conversely, the body communicates through words as sounds and with responses. For instance, every word spoken is technically a sound. It also possesses an emotional tone; think of the word “mom”. Words also have the power to evoke deep feelings. Think of a great poem or song.
The mind is a formidable instrument. It can infer, measure and compute thousands of images, memories and thoughts in nanoseconds. However, no matter how prolific at calculations it is, the mind can only project abstractions. A simple example is that when it projects a picture of yourself in the future, both your self-image and the exact location of where that future is happening does not exist. It is a mental projection we commonly call an abstraction.
In other words, you cannot count on abstractions as facts. For example the hope or wish that something will happen, like winning the lottery, does not make it into a reality — except in our mind. Anything is possible in the mind because reality does not matter. Very much like a simulation program teaching you how to fly an airplane does not take you into the air.
Therefore, through mental pressures, the mind has no choice but telling untruths; simply because it does not know our truth. A simulation program has no idea what the air on the wings of an airplane actually feels like. It computes, measures and compares but only thinks it knows, which too often makes matters worse for a human being. This simulation interplay creates a symphony of thoughts and imagery, encapsulating the essence of our often confused or anxious internal states.
The Compelling Power of Thought
The relentless torrent of thought projections that we identify as the mind, possesses the remarkable ability to coerce the body into articulating words and force us into actions or decisions. Peer pressure is a great example. These compulsions draw upon our mental energy, propelling our intellectual abstract wishes with a persuasive power. However, beneath this surface lies a profound truth — the mind’s tendency to veer into falsehoods because of its very nature: an abstract simulation machine.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Truth
The mind, despite its convictions, remains detached from our inherent truth. For instance the truth of our innermost desires or fears. It frequently masquerades its limited understanding as certainty, often exacerbating personal dilemmas. This disconnection underscores the precarious nature of relying solely on the mind’s abstract perceptions.
Authentic Expression through the Body
In moments when the mind’s pressures subside, the body emerges as a faithful conduit of truth and natural self-expression. I am referring to the body as our sensations, emotions, instincts and intuition. We see it clearly in children or while practicing mindfulness exercises. Liberated from the shackles of coercion, our physical-emotional responses to life become incapable of deception. You can sit at a table in the most fancy restaurant in New York City, if you’re not hungry, it won’t matter that much. Your mind and the minds of your friends may show you the gorgeous menu, the simple fact is that the imagery of the projected pictures of the dishes is no match for your lack of appetite.
As a result of following your body’s truth, a natural flow emerges. This authenticity of expression holds invaluable insights, enabling a deeper connection with ourselves and others, while avoiding costly decisions.
Harnessing the Power of Patience
A powerful technique emerges as a beacon of authenticity — the art of patient communication. By allowing thoughts to mature before verbalization and action, we bypass the mind’s abstract distortions and false assumptions. The act of withholding speech births a space where authenticity thrives and genuine expression flows. You see that in movies when the tension builds without words. The silence is the patience we are discussing here. It empowers the moment as less is always more.
Dual Systems of Guidance
In matters of truth and clarity, two distinct paradigms emerge. One involves yielding to the mind’s dictates, compelling the body (you) to echo its thoughts and actions with immense pressure. The other, a more profound path, involves patient observation, letting our words and actions organically spring forth. These two paradigms or modes of operation boils down to possessing two contrasting personalities: the one that hurries and damn the consequences and the other that patiently waits for the right timing and opportunity to win the day. Both shape our interactions and self-discovery but only one leads us to our true destiny.
Take away
The complex interplay between the mind’s power over our choices and the body’s authentic built-in knowledge of what is best for us orchestrates the symphony of our existence.
Acknowledging the mind’s limitations as an abstract simulation program and embracing the authenticity inherent in patient communication empowers us to transcend distortions.
By nurturing and cultivating a harmonious relationship with our own instincts and intuition, we embark on a journey toward emotional intelligence and organic self-expression. The potential is considerable.
