Almost Awakened: 017: Ben Brown – Our Brain and the Stories We Tell
Oct 26, 2019
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Ben Brown, grew up in a fundamentalist religious sect and deconstructed multiple systems to understand human behavior. Topics discussed include escaping toxic religious beliefs, upgrading our thinking and beliefs, understanding human behavior and compassion, the impact of mind chatter on personal growth, and choosing to live a good story.
Deconstructing and reconstructing our stories can lead to a more compassionate and meaningful life.
Understanding the biology behind behavior and emotions can help us make conscious choices and foster empathy.
Deep dives
The power of deconstructing and reconstructing our stories
One of the key insights discussed in this podcast episode is the importance of deconstructing and reconstructing our stories. The speaker emphasizes that our minds are story-based, and we live in narratives that we create about ourselves, others, and the world. By becoming aware of these stories and recognizing that they are not fixed or objective truths, we can consciously choose to shift and upgrade our stories to create a more compassionate and meaningful life.
Understanding the biology behind behavior and emotions
The episode delves into the fascinating field of neuroscience, highlighting the work of experts like Robert Sapolsky and Lisa Feldman Barrett. Sapolsky emphasizes the importance of understanding the biology behind behavior, stating that many actions are not choices but rather driven by unconscious biological functions. Barrett's research explores how emotions are tied to our body's energy needs, highlighting that our brains create emotions as predictions based on our body's state. Both experts provide valuable insights into understanding human behavior and emotions from a scientific perspective.
Becoming aware of our own operating stories
The podcast emphasizes the concept of operating stories, referring to the collection of beliefs, expectations, and mental models that shape our perception and behavior. The speaker encourages listeners to become aware of their own operating stories and recognize that these stories are not absolute truths. By observing and questioning our stories, we can open ourselves to growth, compassion, and the ability to make conscious choices that align with our values and aspirations.
The power of empathy and compassion
The episode highlights the significance of empathy and compassion in our relationships with others. It emphasizes that every individual has their own operating story, and by understanding this, we can approach others with more kindness, recognizing that their actions are internally logical to them. The speaker suggests that expanding our exposure to different narratives and perspectives, such as through reading diverse books and engaging in conversations with strangers, can increase our empathy and foster a greater sense of interconnectedness.
Today we sit down with Ben Brown. He tells us about how he grew up in a high demand fundamentalist religious sect, his deconstruction of that as he left it and moved into another unhealthy world view but one that was more liberal in degree only. How his curiosity and deconstruction of multiple systems gave him the tools and skills to begin diving deep into why we humans do what we do and how once we become aware of it, we now have the ability to disrupt them and change our personal stories and myths into one that are more useful or bring us more happiness.