Our ego-minds are always screaming out for attention. They are nervous, uncomfortable, and constantly concerned with the past and future. This quality has enabled us to rise to the top of the food chain. Combined with our ability to fashion tools and technologies we have been able to dominate larger, more powerful animals.
Humans are very weak compared to the larger animals and cannot run as fast. We are not covered with scales, fur, or other protective coatings. So what was left for us, if we were to survive in a hostile environment? The nervous, easily frightened mind, that could predict disaster and learn from past mishaps, was what brought us to our position on the planet and has ensured our survival. If we were happily basking in the sun and ignored the sound in the bushes, we would be somebody’s lunch.
But now we don’t need this over-reactive mind anymore. Yet it is hard-wired into us because of its benefits to us in the past. It drags us along on its stream of thoughts. It thrives on fear, believing that fear is what has protected us. It doesn’t understand that knowledge is what has protected us and not fear.
This is why our nonstop trains of thoughts are so believable. They take us along with them on their fearful journey and we, like an audience in a horror film, sweat it out in terror. We know we are in a movie, yet our heart pounds and we wince in pain. Luckily, the human soul transcends this bundle of nerves, alias the brain. Systems of meditation, such as Buddhism and Yoga, have shown us ways to go beyond believing in every thought that crosses our minds. And we can find our path to peace.
Humans are very weak compared to the larger animals and cannot run as fast. We are not covered with scales, fur, or other protective coatings. So what was left for us, if we were to survive in a hostile environment? The nervous, easily frightened mind, that could predict disaster and learn from past mishaps, was what brought us to our position on the planet and has ensured our survival. If we were happily basking in the sun and ignored the sound in the bushes, we would be somebody’s lunch.
But now we don’t need this over-reactive mind anymore. Yet it is hard-wired into us because of its benefits to us in the past. It drags us along on its stream of thoughts. It thrives on fear, believing that fear is what has protected us. It doesn’t understand that knowledge is what has protected us and not fear.
This is why our nonstop trains of thoughts are so believable. They take us along with them on their fearful journey and we, like an audience in a horror film, sweat it out in terror. We know we are in a movie, yet our heart pounds and we wince in pain. Luckily, the human soul transcends this bundle of nerves, alias the brain. Systems of meditation, such as Buddhism and Yoga, have shown us ways to go beyond believing in every thought that crosses our minds. And we can find our path to peace.
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