DEEPAK M RANADE writes on neuroplasticity and the Third Eye, and wonders if we can transcend the biomechanic syntaxHe has a very short fuse. ’ ‘That person is too casual in his attitude. ’ ‘She has a jovial disposition. ’ These are characteristics by which we tend to categorise people. These are typical, predictable behavioural patterns. Behaviour can be broken down into stereotypes. Such behaviours follow a specific ‘fixed action’ pattern. They are entirely stimulus based, and are executed in a robotic, mechanical manner.
An example is the egg-rolling behaviour observed in some birds.
When the bird spots an egg-like object in the vicinity of its nest, the bird begins to roll it towards the nest. Even when the egg is removed, the bird will continue to behave the same way until it reaches the nest, without seeming to ‘realise’ that the egg is no longer there. It’s programmed, embedded software that ensures a definite behavioural response to a particular stimulus. Is our response and behaviour a biomechanic compulsion, involuntary, unfolding at the subconscious level?Are we controlled by unique neural templates that mediate unique responses? Are we slaves of a programme? Do our responses necessarily get defined and limited by genetically embedded software? This instinctive response cripples the intellect and makes the subject surrender to a prefixed, predetermined pattern of behaviour.
Typical unique behavioural pattern is the substrate of personality. Personality is a characteristic way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Personality includes moods, attitudes, and opinions and is most clearly expressed in interactions with people and situations. It includes behavioural characteristics, both inherent and acquired, that distinguish one person from another. Can we change these patterns of behaviour or are we helplessly trapped in a neuro-hormonal matrix? Can we break these patterns of predictability and press the reset button? Can this hard disk be reformatted and is it possible to rewrite the Read Only Memory (ROM)?The human brain is certainly evolved to rise above the biomechanic syntax and protocol.
It is blessed and fortified with a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the alteration and modification of neural pathways, networks and synapses. This enables the brain to effect synaptic pruning that deletes the neural connections no longer useful, and strengthens the necessary ones. It’s a rewiring of the neuronal circuits. Perhaps it involves establishing connection with a seat of higher intelligence. Transcending the network-mediated biomechanic responses would involve reprogramming the perception of the observer.
A paradigm shift in the response effected by a fundamental shift in perception. Instinct is overridden by a dispassionate, conscious deliberation. This transcendence is referred to as opening of the Third Eye in oriental mysticism. The third eye, also known as the inner eye, is a mystical, esoteric concept referring to a speculative invisible eye, which enhances perception beyond ordinary sight. It provides a third person appraisal of the observed and the observer. The inner eye is a witness of the subject and object.
A non-dual sublime intelligence that pierces the illusion of duality. A perceptive shift that dissolves personal consciousness into the eternal impersonal consciousness. ■The author is a neurosurgeon in Pune.
An example is the egg-rolling behaviour observed in some birds.
When the bird spots an egg-like object in the vicinity of its nest, the bird begins to roll it towards the nest. Even when the egg is removed, the bird will continue to behave the same way until it reaches the nest, without seeming to ‘realise’ that the egg is no longer there. It’s programmed, embedded software that ensures a definite behavioural response to a particular stimulus. Is our response and behaviour a biomechanic compulsion, involuntary, unfolding at the subconscious level?Are we controlled by unique neural templates that mediate unique responses? Are we slaves of a programme? Do our responses necessarily get defined and limited by genetically embedded software? This instinctive response cripples the intellect and makes the subject surrender to a prefixed, predetermined pattern of behaviour.
Typical unique behavioural pattern is the substrate of personality. Personality is a characteristic way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Personality includes moods, attitudes, and opinions and is most clearly expressed in interactions with people and situations. It includes behavioural characteristics, both inherent and acquired, that distinguish one person from another. Can we change these patterns of behaviour or are we helplessly trapped in a neuro-hormonal matrix? Can we break these patterns of predictability and press the reset button? Can this hard disk be reformatted and is it possible to rewrite the Read Only Memory (ROM)?The human brain is certainly evolved to rise above the biomechanic syntax and protocol.
It is blessed and fortified with a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the alteration and modification of neural pathways, networks and synapses. This enables the brain to effect synaptic pruning that deletes the neural connections no longer useful, and strengthens the necessary ones. It’s a rewiring of the neuronal circuits. Perhaps it involves establishing connection with a seat of higher intelligence. Transcending the network-mediated biomechanic responses would involve reprogramming the perception of the observer.
A paradigm shift in the response effected by a fundamental shift in perception. Instinct is overridden by a dispassionate, conscious deliberation. This transcendence is referred to as opening of the Third Eye in oriental mysticism. The third eye, also known as the inner eye, is a mystical, esoteric concept referring to a speculative invisible eye, which enhances perception beyond ordinary sight. It provides a third person appraisal of the observed and the observer. The inner eye is a witness of the subject and object.
A non-dual sublime intelligence that pierces the illusion of duality. A perceptive shift that dissolves personal consciousness into the eternal impersonal consciousness. ■The author is a neurosurgeon in Pune.
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- Nilratan RoyWe need not rewire the inbuilt neural networks of the organism whose architect is the Divine. All these are irreducibly unique and excellent.104 days ago
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