I assert...Your mind is not your own..
Many of us go about our daily lives with little thought about how we came to have the 'mind' that we live in. We regard our mind as an entity separate from others and a space that only we live in. Although, our physical brain resides in our bodies as an organ that receives and processes information, our mind stretches beyond such physical limitations.
The mind as co-created.
From the moment of birth our brains are ready to form synaptic connections. These connections are formed out of and strengthened by our lived experiences. In order to learn we need to be in the presence of other minds. It is through these human to human exchanges and experiences that our minds are formed. The absence of other-minds leads to brain damage (as proven through scientific orphan studies). Science has proven time and time again that we need other minds, and the quality of relational exchanges reflects the health of our minds.
The co-created mind in action.
To get a clearer picture of this I will give you a brief example of how minds are co-created. Imagine your self with a close friend and who and how you are in their presence. Think about what thoughts arise in their presence and the conversations that ensue. Then change this scenario to you with a child, a parent, a psychologist, your boss. How does your mind, your thoughts, your reality, who and how you are change with each person. Your mind is changed, your thoughts, your conversations and what is available within each dyadic connection is different. In groups your mind will be different again, with different kinds of thoughts and meaning surfacing.
The mind is not stagnant
The mind is a fluid and is transformed by those that you share your moments with. It is not an entity in its own right, but instead one that is shared and formed in context with relational others. We can go beyond this and incorporate society, media and other factors that continually shape and reshape our mind and thinking.
It might be useful to witness how your mind and thinking is shaped by the very presence of others. This could help us lean towards others that help us foster a healthy state of mind. Keep in mind how your mind effects and shapes nor only the relationships that you find yourself in but also how your mind effects the minds of others. Our minds are interconnected. Descartes was wrong. 'We think therefore we are'
Thank you for reading my meanderings xx