BRAIN HABIT HIGHWAYS

#BRAIN #HIGHWAYS

As we begin to practice #mindfulness, we may begin to notice that the #BRAIN has tendencies of its own. Usually we are unaware of these brain highways. We tend to live our lives failing to be where we are. We can miss really ‘seeing’ the rain as it dances on the spring leaves or ‘tasting’ the fullness of the first beans of the season because the attention is elsewhere. However, as we begin to do mindfulness meditation practices, we may begin to notice the brain highways within. And, we may be able to move our attention to the present moment at times.

These particular paths may change from day to day or from person to person. Mindfulness meditation creates the opportunity for us to map out our mental highways and byways. By noting what the brain is up to, we can use our mind to step out of the habit and then move into the present and be with what is happening now.

A few typical BRAIN highways:

The #Worry Highway: A woman was referred by her physician to me. She had pain above her right knee. At times the pain was so severe, she was crying in the counseling session.

She said, “I know the specialist will not see me.”

I asked, “How do you know that?”

She replied, “Well, I saw him a year and a half ago for the same knee and I don’t think he will see me again.”

“When are you scheduled to see him again?” I wondered.

“Next week”.

“What makes you think he will not see you when his office has given you an appointment?”

“I just know he won’t”

When I next met her, she had seen the specialist. I asked,” Were you surprised the specialist saw you?”

“Totally.”

I asked, “Do you think the problem was with the specialist or you do think your brain has a tendency to worry and make things worse than they are?”

She laughed. “I can really see how my brain likes to worry.”

The #What-#Was Highway: A woman was referred by her physician. After we had spent a few minutes getting to know each other, I asked her what was bringing her to counseling.

She replied, “1990.”

“1990?” I asked.

She then proceeded to tell me what happened in 1990. I listened attentively and empathetically as she told her story.

Then I asked, “Is the problem 1990 or is the problem that your brain keeps returning there and won’t let go?”

She answered, “My attention goes there every night just as I am going to sleep. Every night! I can’t get a good night’s sleep.”

The #What #If Highway: Not too long ago, I was changing into my work clothes after a workout. As I was putting my left arm into my sleeve, I found my attention was elsewhere. In my thoughts, I was at my daughter’s wedding celebration dinner and I was talking about her and her new husband. There are a few problems with this highway. First, my daughter is not engaged. Second, I am not sure she even believes in marriage. Finally, I did not become aware my attention shifted until I was unlocking my door in the middle of an Ontario winter blizzard! How mindful LOL!

There are many more brain highways, probably as many as there are roads. As we continue to practice mindfulness as well as meditation perhaps we can begin to map out our brain highways. Once we note these #habit highways we have, perhaps we can more easily choose to turn off at the next exit and into the present moment, breath by #breath.