Part Ten: Training the Mind/Brain (series: The Way of Mind/Brain Trainings; example)

[Notice: The series are a personal effort in understanding the brain/mind and how it will apply to my life and practice of the fighting/marital arts. Any errors or omissions are mine alone and do not reflect on the sources from which I draw my thoughts and understanding. If you find any please allow me the human condition of making errors and provide me the information I need to learn, grow, and prosper.]

In most of this series we have discussed many aspects of mind/brain training for life and also within our training/practice of the FA/MA. This section is going to allude to some things you can do in actual training of the mind/brain BUT I implore you to go/wait to the last post of this series or check the bibliography to read the source material for details on this process. I am no expert and remember my postings are simply a way for me to learn and grow and hopefully get the reader to explore MORE.

This involves breathing and visualization with the inclusion of both particular thoughts and verbalizations to achieve change within the brain resulting in a change within the mind or if you wish a change in the mind that will be cause for change in the brain. Note: a little like which came first the chicken or the egg but here the mind or the brain…doah.

Take a breathe [this is in everything you do], "feel" what it is you want, say strength or speed, in your mind. Make it clear and everlasting, your capacity to do this thing. Recall a time when this particular things felt strong and effective. Bring the mind into a sense of this thing along with all the feelings of some past thing that is the same or similar. Feel that thing within your body and mind as you breathe, let it infuse you arms, legs, etc. Bring into you mind a person who has either experienced this with you or on their own in the past and feel their support especially that they believe in you and your ability/capability to do this thing, say have strength. Notice how good it feels and how it makes your body and mind feel. Turn your full attention to that sense of this thing you are working on.

Now, bring an awareness of a challenging situation where this thing you are working on, say strength, is required. Feel solid and confident in your abilities for this particular thing. Allow this challenging situation to be what it is while you continue to feel this thing. Pay attention to all the feelings and thoughts of what you are trying to accomplish.

As you can see I attempted to paraphrase the process described in the book to give you an idea of a process to achieve changes in your brain thus the mind and finally in the body so you can program improved behavioral patterns in life and in FA/MA practice (which means in applying it in life as well.).

Bibliography:
Hanson, Rick and Mendius, Richard. The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha's Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2009.

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