Have you ever wondered why some people show completely different and unique responses to a particular situation despite being governed by the same external environment? It's very interesting to know what makes an individual so different from others.
Human behavior is the end product of the human mind, and our actions are the end result of our thinking process. Therefore, we can say that our mind plays a very crucial role in determining our behavior. On World Mental Health Day, we help you understand how the mind works and how it influences you.
The Theory of Filters
External influence is a fixed happening which triggers a sort of stimulus that is picked up by us through our sensory organs. Then, this information goes to our brain where it passes through four stages, also known as the mind filters.
What are these filtration processes?
Process 1
This filtration process comes from our deepest subconscious desires, which we are not even aware of at the thinking plane. The deepest desires within us can relate to anything, for example, to acquire power, wealth or fame. They can also incline with shades of philanthropy and altruism. When the thought formation takes place, the first filter assesses the external situation to see if this outside trigger can help the person to come closer to his subconscious goal.
Process 2
After the thought passes through the first filter it may get modified, increased (potentiated) or decreased (reduced in strength). The next set of filters are the values and belief systems. Our values and belief systems are the largest set of filters which dictate the direction and formation of thought. While the first set of filters have intensity and strength, the second set of filters may not have the high intensity but have a very structured form. Basically, these filters define the rules that we set for ourselves.
The values and belief systems can be like high levels or low levels of honesty, harmony, ethics, morals, integrity, beliefs and also our attitude towards work, relaxation, relationship with authority etc. By the time the thought leaves this stage, it becomes more structured in terms of going towards a decision and which may ultimately result in action or inaction.
Process 3
This is the mind filter which we employ to understand the situation and measure it based on our own set of unique experiences. These refer to our personal experiences and the inferences or outcomes that we have derived as our understanding of the world. Interestingly, these experiences and their impact on our thinking begin when a person may be as young as two years of age. This means that if at a young age we have experienced discrimination due our skin color or looks, the experience stays etched in our memory and forms an opinion on how we perceive ourselves with regard to the world .This is probably the reason why sometimes people are unable to come out of their memories and the interpretations that they have of the world because of those past experiences.
This individual conditioning (individual memory or consciousness) also has an ally which is the collective consciousness. For instance, if a family migrates from a place and had lived a tough life then the recollections within the family form a part of the social conditioning.
Process 4
This filter is very gentle but extremely persistent. It is the inner voice or the soul urge. The main characteristics of this inner voice are -
• It is non-judgmental
• It does not put labels
• It does not de-motivate
• It does not keep nagging
• It never dies out
One can hear it very clearly when one is not thinking consciously which means that the problem-solving thinking mode is silent at that time. The thought is accompanied by calmness and immense courage. Since the inner voice is a very gentle voice, the only way to identify it is with the help of the accompanying sense of courage and calm confidence that one experiences which allows you to face any situation fearlessly.
The mind is a very crucial part of our existence and the more we understand its functions, the easier it is for us to use the critical thinking pathways.
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10th October. With the hectic lifestyles that we lead, mental health disorders, especially depression cases are on a rise like never before. The theme for 2014 is 'living with schizophrenia.' Mental disorders may either be genetic or in some cases driven by circumstances. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative to maintain your peace of mind always and understanding how your mind functions makes it only easier.
Human behavior is the end product of the human mind, and our actions are the end result of our thinking process. Therefore, we can say that our mind plays a very crucial role in determining our behavior. On World Mental Health Day, we help you understand how the mind works and how it influences you.
The Theory of Filters
External influence is a fixed happening which triggers a sort of stimulus that is picked up by us through our sensory organs. Then, this information goes to our brain where it passes through four stages, also known as the mind filters.
What are these filtration processes?
Process 1
This filtration process comes from our deepest subconscious desires, which we are not even aware of at the thinking plane. The deepest desires within us can relate to anything, for example, to acquire power, wealth or fame. They can also incline with shades of philanthropy and altruism. When the thought formation takes place, the first filter assesses the external situation to see if this outside trigger can help the person to come closer to his subconscious goal.
Process 2
After the thought passes through the first filter it may get modified, increased (potentiated) or decreased (reduced in strength). The next set of filters are the values and belief systems. Our values and belief systems are the largest set of filters which dictate the direction and formation of thought. While the first set of filters have intensity and strength, the second set of filters may not have the high intensity but have a very structured form. Basically, these filters define the rules that we set for ourselves.
The values and belief systems can be like high levels or low levels of honesty, harmony, ethics, morals, integrity, beliefs and also our attitude towards work, relaxation, relationship with authority etc. By the time the thought leaves this stage, it becomes more structured in terms of going towards a decision and which may ultimately result in action or inaction.
Process 3
This is the mind filter which we employ to understand the situation and measure it based on our own set of unique experiences. These refer to our personal experiences and the inferences or outcomes that we have derived as our understanding of the world. Interestingly, these experiences and their impact on our thinking begin when a person may be as young as two years of age. This means that if at a young age we have experienced discrimination due our skin color or looks, the experience stays etched in our memory and forms an opinion on how we perceive ourselves with regard to the world .This is probably the reason why sometimes people are unable to come out of their memories and the interpretations that they have of the world because of those past experiences.
This individual conditioning (individual memory or consciousness) also has an ally which is the collective consciousness. For instance, if a family migrates from a place and had lived a tough life then the recollections within the family form a part of the social conditioning.
Process 4
This filter is very gentle but extremely persistent. It is the inner voice or the soul urge. The main characteristics of this inner voice are -
• It is non-judgmental
• It does not put labels
• It does not de-motivate
• It does not keep nagging
• It never dies out
One can hear it very clearly when one is not thinking consciously which means that the problem-solving thinking mode is silent at that time. The thought is accompanied by calmness and immense courage. Since the inner voice is a very gentle voice, the only way to identify it is with the help of the accompanying sense of courage and calm confidence that one experiences which allows you to face any situation fearlessly.
The mind is a very crucial part of our existence and the more we understand its functions, the easier it is for us to use the critical thinking pathways.
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10th October. With the hectic lifestyles that we lead, mental health disorders, especially depression cases are on a rise like never before. The theme for 2014 is 'living with schizophrenia.' Mental disorders may either be genetic or in some cases driven by circumstances. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative to maintain your peace of mind always and understanding how your mind functions makes it only easier.
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