- Our brains create a picture of reality that is an illusion. Sometimes this is referred to as the "illusion of the left brain", the part focuses on labeling, seeing things as distinct entities, and giving rise to the idea things are separate and independent.
- One of the entities the left brain is specifically concerned with is a concept called "the self." I have a separate personality. I think. I act. I feel. The thoughts which arise from the active left brain are concerned with the survival and protection and maintenance and expansion of this so called "self." If there's a threat or a desire, the left brain is on it. Constantly generating feelings and thoughts about the trigger, trying to get more of it, or trying to get rid of it, depending.
- Unhappiness and psychological suffering are largely a result of this overactivity of the left brain's self-centered thinking. Why? It seems that first of all, this is probably the left brain's job--to keep one alive. But also, that it is HIGHLY sensitive to what it deems good or bad for the self. It is constantly judging, evaluating, and problem solving so that SELF is satiated and safe.
- This was ok, possibly even optimal, in an environment where tribal people were gathering food and hunting, where the desires were limited by whatever the land could naturally afford to give, and by how many people one could possibly influence. (I could elaborate further, but won't, except to say, entire books haven been written about how brains adapted to live in the tribal units of 10,000 years or so ago, and not the agricultural city-states, then vast societies, that eventually emerged.)
- A part of the brain known as the "default mode network" is notably active during states of mind-wandering and daydreaming. Basically when someone isn't attentive on the outside world, or isn't focused on a given task, the brain "defaults" to activity in the default mode network. And what do we ultimately mind-wander and daydream about? Usually things related to the "self", and all things related to it. Including the past and future.
- Meditation, mantra, yoga, tai chi etc. are all traditional methods of quieting this default mode network. Quiet it enough, and the world begins to look and feel differently than it did before.
- Note: Meditative teachers often warn against "trying too hard" or "over-efforting" during meditation for the very reason that one is now stimulating the very thing (sense of self) one is attempting to quiet. That is why meditation instructions usually emphasize gentleness and acceptance of whatever occurs.
- In terms of the meditative approaches, there are two commonly seen in Western society. The ones that produce a calm state of mind (e.g. focusing on breathing) and the ones that begin questioning the nature of the very thing that captures the left brain's energies and attentions: the self. These latter practices, also known as "insight" practices, include self-inquiry (asking "where is the self", "what is thinking this thought", "who hears this sound", "who am I", etc.), zen-type puzzles and meditation.
- Many people seem to recommend some of amount of mind-calmness before one engages in self-inquiry, though the suggestion isn't universal. It also seems that in Western society, the calming practices are emphasized but usually do not lead further into insight practices.
- It can be argued that nonduality--that there is only ONE thing--and that self is not separate from the rest of the universe (this universe is sometimes deemed as god)--is either the goal or focus of the world's major religions.
- In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), the self is seen as an independent entity that seeks union with god. The mystical elements of these religions, as seen in the Kabbalah, Hermeticism, and Sufism, focus exclusively on this union. The more traditional practices of these religions focus on worship and service to humankind. Notice that the latter are ways to lessen the concern with the self.
- The Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhi) refer to the self as either illusory or as god itself, when its nature is realized. Buddhism doesn't refer to this entity as god, but emptiness. Service and love of humankind are again, the suggested activities to lessen self-concern. Meditation is seen as a primary means of realizing nonduality.
- Science on the human mind and experiments on right/left brain activity also supports the idea there is no "self" to be found. The "self" is a collection of thoughts, feelings, and happenings that are given a label by the brain.
- Much of this (no-self and nonduality) is understandable conceptually to the brain, but not viscerally understood until there is an "insight", sometimes induced by drugs or during meditation. But such an event (sometimes called liberation, awakening, enlightenment, or stream entry) can occur anytime, anywhere. There can be a large number of insights that last throughout one's life, or one large "life changing" event, or any number in between.
- In one such event, the nature of the mind constructing "the self" is observed, and consequently negative feelings produce less intensity from here on out, as the "self's" illusion of independence dissolves completely. Much more peace, contentment, happiness, and a sense of natural existence with the world is what remains. Negativity still remains due to residual habits and tendencies, but these things, like everything else, will arise and pass over time in cycles.
* I place "spiritual" in quotes, because a lot of spiritual ideas can be seen purely in terms of biology, if one prefers. Either way, it's a WAY of looking. Ideas, labels, and words, including the ones below, can only capture so much of reality.