As I suspect you know – I believe that it is the quality of our decisions that shape our destiny (which I even wrote a book on).
The yogi’s – 100’s of years ago – also knew this.
When considering the elements of the “mind” then understood that there was an Higher mind and a Lower mind.
Somewhat similar to our conscious mind and unconscious mind, but not exactly.
The yogi’s actually identified 4-parts of the mind.
Which is similar to modern psychologists with their Triune Brain model.
Although, I think the yogi’s had cooler sounding names.
The one I really like is the “Buddhi” part of mind.
The higher mind.
The one more closely connected to our individual (Purusha) and collective consciousness.
I doubly love the idea of having a “sharpened” Buddhi.
In modern language that would equate to a well-developed prefrontal cortex.
But the thing that most stands out for me (and was of primary interest to these yogi’s), was the power of DISCERNMENT.
Seeing the big picture.
Understanding the object being observed, within a greater context.
Which I guess is just not seeing the bigger picture, but the “whole” picture.
And making decisions from there.
Which is always going to be more relevant and aligned with Reality.
So for me, a high level of Discernment, is ESSENTIAL when it comes to making great, destiny creating decisions.
But here is the challenge…
The things that don’t mix
You can have the potential for a sharpened Budhhi (aka: a high level of discernment).
HOWEVER, it is very hard to access it (and I might even suggest it is near impossible), IF you are in a triggered or reactive emotional state.
When we are reactive, we are operating at the level of the limbic (middle) brain, and have the brain power of a mammal.
Giving us a choice of fight, flight or freeze.
Also meaning that you do not have access to discernment, which suggested greatly influences your destiny.
It is much easier to be lead astray when you are reactive.
It is much harder for you to recognize propaganda (or “click bait”) when you are reactive.
It is much easier for you to be convinced to do dumb stuff, or “follow the crowd (or mob)“, when you are reactive.
It is much harder for you to notice “both sides of the coin“, when you are reactive.
You don’t notice nuance.
You can’t see, sense or acknowledge the complexity of issues (you only see black or white; OR fight, flight, freeze).
You think in absolutes – like politician XYZ is ALL bad, or ALL good – when the reality is very likely a bit of both (since they are mere mortals).
I know you get the point.
Do you agree that trying to make decisions when you are triggered and reactive does not lead to your most empowered future Destiny?
What to do?
Step 1 (aka: conscious awareness) is to fully acknowledge that when you are triggered – by the politician or public figure you don’t like – you are very unlikely to see the whole picture, and are very likely to be biased by whatever information source you are plugged into.
You are more likely to be lead astray by people, social media, mainstream media, and the likes.
Discernment is about being above the noise.
Being above emotional reactivity.
Being tapped into you higher mind and that sharpened Buddhi.
So, our strategy is to zoom out to a higher elevation, above the noise and the emotional triggers, and get a clearer sense of what might (really) be going on.
You can also draw attention, energy and blood flow to your higher mind by asking questions like: “Does this really matter to me?”
The other practical way, which is more radical, but pretty effective (I know from personal experience) is to stop watching the news, and delete a few social media accounts, or don’t read any of the algorithm-determined (non ‘you’ determined) feeds on social media.
Just reduce the amount of polarizing crap you need to sift through to figure something out.
And do all that you practically can to have a calm, centered and grounded state of mind.
DISCERNMENT does not mix with REACTIVITY, so don’t try to mix them, or expect to be competently discerning when you are in lower states of mind.
In Summary
Discernment is a super power.
Discernment is essential for great Decision-Making, and therefore Destiny shaping.
When you are REACTIVE, you have an inability to DISCERN effectively.
The target, for great Discernment, is to be in a state of calm, stability and groundedness.
My Parting Words
I really want the best for people.
For you.
And there might be times you think you are seeing things clearly – and able to make thoughtful decisions and choices – but if you are looking while in a triggered or reactive state – are you really seeing the WHOLE picture?
Be conscious of being overly biased, when we are in a survival emotional state.
Our aim is (always) to be discerning – especially in the Information Age.
We are bombarded with so much information, that if we are not effective when it comes to discernment, we are easily lead astray.
In this world of increasing levels of sophistication when it comes to “scamming“, again it is our ability to be discerning, which can cut through the BS, and tune up our intuition.
So, in closing, Reactivity and Discernment (and great decisions) don’t mix well.
And here is a final thought.
It is more likely – when we are in an emotionally triggered state – that we may misinterpret what we hear.
Take a step back, zoom out, and then discern from there.
Here’s to sharpening our Buddhi minds.
Have a delightfully perceptive day, and a week of finely attuned BS detection.
Take care.
Carl
Quotable QUOTE:
“When you are REACTIVE, you have an inability to DISCERN effectively and without bias.” Carl Massy
(Author of 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be)
PS: Have you read or listened to this book yet? 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be
