[NoraSpinnor]

We’ve all experienced it: we read an entire page of text to look up and realize we hadn’t absorbed any of it at all, our mind was elsewhere. Similarly, we’ve all pulled into our destination with no clear memory of driving the last 10 blocks. Somehow, we kept going while our conscious awareness was absorbed in something else.

How is this possible?
Consciousness isn’t all or nothing; it’s nested. Layers stack for each process. Nested deep beneath our awareness is the process that runs our cells. Above that, our heart, then breathing, then physical activity, then what we consider the conscious mind, which includes everything from trying to recollect what we ate for breakfast to contemplating the origin of the universe. Processes run on their own accord, but nothing is truly independent from the others.

When we are driving and become lost in a memory, while still safely navigating the car, we are essentially looking out two windows at once. If the task becomes more difficult, we will snap our focus back to the road, but while it remains

We don’t typically interact with the lower levels of consciousness, but we can. Multiple studies have shown that when severely ill patients practice meditation on cell growth and renewal alongside their treatment, their recovery speeds up. If we accept this nested level model, we will understand why our mental health has such an effect on our physical well-being. The consciousness that directs cells is wound through our higher mind. Thoughts with a disruptive energy (think: “I’m not good enough,” (self-deprecation) or “I’m so mad at him,” (anger) or “That should have been me,” (jealousy and ego)) disrupt our cellular processes.

What we should do:
Our minds will wander; this is inevitable. We should work to become aware of when this happens, particularly to notice what we are thinking about. Wanderings that put us in negative spots (bad memories, old wounds) are damaging. Stop imprinting painful pasts; exchange these thoughts for others.

This takes practice. Like trying to quit any bad habit, expect to fail a lot at first, but don’t give in to failure. Keep subjects on hand to retrain your mind into other directions.
For many people, this might mean changing some of the media we consume. Media that doesn’t spark thought keeps us in a passive, recipient mode, and it doesn’t offer any material for redirection.
Keep a journal, even a simple log on your phone, to track your energy levels and emotional state as you retrain your focus. Also, keep at it; as with any change, it becomes easier the more you practice.

Have you noticed how your thoughts affect you?
What is your biggest challenge in changing your mental focus?

[IndigoSoul111]

Phew so its not just me…. lol, jokes aside, you brought something up that I was talking to someone about a few days ago. When we’re always focused on the negative, it shows up in your health, especially as you age. All the years of resentment you carry really take a toll after awhile. Let it go!

[IonianCode]

Studies show that the mind can operate two or three systems at once but it becomes poorer at each one. That means we aren’t thinking or driving effectively. Not saying I’m perfect, but it’s something to think about while driving.

[AshSongbird]

Frequent mind wanderer here.
I go all over the place.
Sometimes it helps.
Sometimes it hurts.
I know I need to direct it more.
Consciousness, untethered,
is wild and unpredictable.
~Ash 🌻🪻🕊️

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