Understanding the 2 Functions of the Brain for a Better Life and World
As you go about your day, do you spend much time thinking about your brain? If you are like most people, you likely don't. Perhaps it's because the brain is always "on", working away in the background as we go about living our lives. Yet, by not actively paying attention to it we are doing ourselves a disservice both individually and collectively as a species.
Why?
The human brain is the very reason we are able to experience our life and world. The more we pay attention to it and understand the human brain the more we can create our life with conscious intention, understand others better, and ultimately make the world a better place for all.
So today, I'd like to begin by talking about the 2 main functions of the human brain and in a future post, I will talk about what I call "The Thought-to-Action" cycle.
NOTE: Please keep in mind that I am not a neuroscientist, or in any way a brain expert. I am simply sharing what I have learned along my journey.
What are the 2 functions of the brain?
The human brain is an amazingly complex organ. Without it, we would not be able to experience life as we know it, but at the end of the day it has 2 main functions to fulfill.
To keep you safe.
To make more of you.
Why?
To help ensure you and the human species survives and thrives.
In order to do this, your brain relies on data. Lots and lots of data. To keep things simple, the data falls under 3 main categories:
Data from body itself via its systems, organs, etc.
Data from the environment via our 5-basic senses
Data in the form of thought, specifically beliefs and mindsets (aka, your predominant thoughts).
Your brain uses this collective data whenever you want to take action on a want/intention/desire no matter how big or small that want/intention/desire is. Everything from I’d like to blink my eyes, should I buy those shoes?, is it safe to walk off that cliff?, to I’d like to solve world hunger.
Why knowing this matters
Once you understand the prime directive of the brain is to help you survive and thrive, you can begin to look at yourself, your life, others and your world with a different set of eyes. For example, you can begin to understand:
How fortunate we are to have these 2 functions looking out for us while we experience life in this physical world, we call Earth.
How these functions are the basis for, and have a direct impact on every action/inaction you take (and ultimately your life and the world we collectively create).
How we can hold ourselves back, limit risk, etc. because we belief something is a risk that isn't a risk.
How these functions can be manipulated by external forces to empower and disempower us at both an individual and collective level.
How can you help your brain do its job?
Once you understand that the 2 functions are there to help you survive and thrive, you can help it do its job by:
Learning more about the human brain. It's a fascinating organ that literally enables you to function in this world.
Feeding your brain factual data. You are literally teaching your brain in every moment. Strive to feed it facts from reliable sources.
Learning to spot fake information online. While there is a lot of great factual information available to us, there is also a lot of misinformation too. Advancements in A.I.'s (Artificial Intelligence) like ChatGPT , DALL-E and A.I. that replicates human voices will make it even more important for us to help our brain by asking "Is it true?", "Is what I am reading, watching, etc. a fact?".
Being aware of how easily the human brain can be manipulated.
Being aware of how your own unique combination of beliefs and mindsets may be helping or hindering your brain to fulfill its 2 main functions. Stay tuned for more on Beliefs and mindsets in a future article.
Limiting exposure to doom and gloom media. Doom and gloom suggest a threat which the brain is highly attuned to. As a result, we can end up doom-scrolling, becoming fearful, anxious and not embracing life. Unless it is necessary for you, try to limit the doom and gloom you consume.
Limiting exposure to violence in the media. While for some people, it can provide a rush of sorts, it may suggest a threat which the brain is highly attuned to pay attention to. Humans are actually a cooperative species despite what various media can portray us as.
Tweaking your bedtime routine. Be mindful of what you watch, read, consume before going to sleep. As we sleep, our brain processes what we've learned during the day. What do you want your brain to be thinking about as you fall asleep?
Asking, "is this really a threat?". While this can be different for everyone, I hope the following example helps. Example: Attempting to cross a rail line as a fast-moving train is quickly approaching vs crossing a long-abandoned rail line overgrown with weeds and missing rail tracks.
Expanding your critical thinking skills.
Looking for the good being done in the world. Despite how the news cycle can focus on negative news, there is a lot of good going on in the world. Try to balance what you are exposing yourself to.
Surrounding yourself with a strong group and positive role models.
Protecting your brain health. Embrace a healthy lifestyle (food, exercise, rest, meditation, work/life balance, limit social media, reduce stress, etc.)
Seeing the beauty in the world. Spend time in nature, look up at the expanse of the night sky, enjoy the laugh of a baby.
By learning more about the brain and implementing some of the actions above, you can begin to help your brain do its job and live your life with conscious intention.
NOTE: I've included several links at the bottom of this article that you may find helpful.
Imagine the Global Impact
Imagine if understanding the 2 main functions of the brain was part of the standard global education model in every grade so this understanding was second nature to all.
How different would their individual lives be; how different would the global reality be? Would we be more understanding of ourselves and of others? Would we shift away from scarcity and fear-based thinking and living? Would we begin to create our life and world with conscious intention? Would we begin to focus more on the good in our lives and in the world?
Would we begin to work more collectively and compassionately as a species? Would our global systems change to empower humans to be all they can be?
Imagine.
How About You?
Can you see how the 2 core functions of the brain impacts the actions/inactions we take?
Can you see how wide spread knowledge of this information could help our world?
If you did not learn this in school or in life, do you wish you had known about the 2 functions earlier?
I'd love to know your thoughts. Feel free to reach out to me here.
Til next time,
I hope you found this article and the links below helpful. If you did, please social share it. Together we can help create a global mind shift.
Lisa
p.s. Please check out my article on what I call “The Thought-to-Action Cycle” which explains the high-level process our brain takes to decide on what action to take on an intention we have.
If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive new articles as they become available.
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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
The Brain:
https://brainrules.net/survival - talks about how the brain is focused on survival
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain - a site that talks about the anatomy of the human brain and how the brain works in easy-to-understand language.
Understanding the Thought-to-Action Cycle for a better life and world - explains the high-level process our brain takes to decide on what action to take on an intention we have.
Neuromarketing:
https://hbr.org/2019/01/neuromarketing-what-you-need-to-know - talks about neuromarketing
https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/definition/neuromarketing - talks about what neuromarketing is along with pros and cons of its use
What's True:
https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/break-fake-how-tell-whats-true-online
https://www.mindtools.com/a0g6bjj/how-to-spot-real-and-fake-news
Doom scrolling
What are you feeding your brain?:
https://lisalayden.com/blogs/are-you-feeding-your-brain-junk-food
https://lisalayden.com/quotables/always-be-mindful-of-what-you-allow-into-your-brain
Good news sites:
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