neural pathways – Pam Grout

Constructing a state of wonder

June 29, 2023 29 Comments

“Paradise is regained by finding the wonder within the moment.”—Pico Ayer

In 1988, neuroscientist Christof Koch bet philosopher David Chalmers that by 2023, scientists would figure out how the brain produces consciousness. Five days ago, at the annual meeting of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, Koch publicly admitted defeat and presented Chalmers with a case of fine Portuguese wine.

But he also doubled down, betting that in 25 more years, science would understand the mechanism by which the brain’s neurons produce this thing we call consciousness.

Although nobody’s asking little ole non-scientific me, I would take that bet because consciousness doesn’t originate in the brain. In fact, I believe the brain and all its neural pathways—formulated differently in every person—are actually a deterrent to understanding consciousness.

The brain is designed to take shortcuts. Its purpose is to condense the radiant, always-morphing energy field into a narrative we can understand. It doesn’t begin to show us true reality.

True reality is so vast, so beautiful, so all-encompassing that our puny little bodies can’t begin to hold it all. So we construct—in our brains—a story that fits what we’ve decided is true. Amy Leach, last Saturday’s Awakin Call guest, called it the “tedium of knowing.”

I loved that phrase because that’s what happens when we think we have it all figured out. The brilliance, the wonder, the effervescent energy force cannot get through the conditioning we’ve constructed.

The one facet I do appreciate about the brain is that it’s malleable. So, yes, most of us have grown neural pathways that reflect the anguish of our internal imaginings, but these sagas are only true as long as we keep looking at them. We can unwire our pathways by focusing on what’s really happening in this now moment, giving old habits and constraints less power. That’s why I frequently talk about possibility state as opposed to problem state.

I have no clue where consciousness comes from, but I do know that by focusing on this moment and this moment only, I begin to gradually construct a state of beauty, wonder and grace.

#222 Forever!

Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)

No longer listening to my brain’s cliff notes

August 22, 2018 12 Comments

“Thinking the physical world is all that matters is like shutting oneself up in a small closet and imagining there is nothing beyond it.”—Eben Alexander

gabby One of the great joys in my life is knowing the universe is so much bigger than anything I can conceive, in knowing that miracles (or what we call miracles) reside right on the other side of the veil I’ve imposed with my very limited brain.

As cool as the brain is, a veritable network of millions of neural pathways, it actually puts up a tremendous barrier to Truth. It limits, it takes all the available input and boils it down to what I call “Cliff Notes for Dummies.”

Sadly, our Cliff Notes are restricted to what we’ve decide to let in, to what we’ve erroneously pick up from our culture, our family upbringing and the six o’clock news.

As the Course in Miracles reminds us, we would be astounded, literally blown away, if we had even the slightest idea how many limits we have placed on Reality.

While we’re here, living on this physical plane, we put the brain’s two pounds of wrinkled mass on a pedestal. We believe everything it tells us, listen to its crazy promptings, its tendency to focus on the past and worry about the future. I amaze myself with how much time I sometimes waste thinking about some person who “did me wrong” or about some financial dilemma. Not a good expenditure of my valuable time.

The brain is so NOT reliable that, I believe, our very highest calling is to distract it as often as possible. That’s why meditation is so important, why I proclaim gratitude for everything that happens. These practices put an end (or will eventually) to the crazy person blathering in the brain. Once the brain gets out of the way, Truth can’t help but rise up.

I really hate to knock my brain. It has accomplished a lot in my life, but from here on out, I’d like to officially appoint it as secretary of my neurology, digestive system and other things it’s proficient at and leave the rest to Source, to Truth, to the Reality of Pure Bliss.

Pam Grout is the author of 19 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.

“My mind is a bad neighborhood I try not to go into alone.”–Anne Lamott

July 5, 2017 27 Comments

“Thinking the physical world is all that matters is like shutting oneself up in a small closet and imagining there is nothing beyond it.”—Eben Alexander
neon-woman-brain-720x480

One of the great joys in my life is knowing the universe is so much bigger than anything I can conceive, in knowing that miracles (or what we call miracles) reside right on the other side of the veil I’ve imposed with my very limited brain.

As cool as the brain is, a veritable network of neural pathways, it actually puts up a tremendous barrier to Truth. It limits, it takes all the available input and boils it down to what I call “Cliff Notes for Dummies.” Sadly, our Cliff Notes are restricted to what we’ve decide to let in, to what we’ve erroneously pick up from our culture, our family upbringing and the six o’clock news.

As the Course in Miracles says we would be astounded, literally blown away, if we had even the slightest idea how many limits we have placed on Reality.

I amaze myself with how much time I sometimes waste thinking about some person who “did me wrong” or about some financial dilemma. Not a good expenditure of my valuable time.

The brain is so NOT reliable that, I believe, our very highest calling is to distract it as often as possible. That’s why meditation is so important. It puts an end (or will eventually) to the crazy person blathering in the brain. Once the brain gets out of the way, Truth can’t help but rise up.

Pam Grout is the author of 18 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the about-to-be released, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.