Scientists tell us that the human brain is designed for learning. It does many other things as well, such as manage the complex metabolism of the body, but with the evolution of the uniquely human frontal cortex, our brains have become magnificent learning machines.
But is the brain merely a machine? And what does it learn? Facts? Knowledge? Facts or knowledge alone are useless, just like a computer is useless unless or until it is actually used for some purpose.
As I see it, real learning–or you might say wisdom–is a marvelously holistic process, an act of personal power that celebrates and enhances our freedom and engages many aspects of our being:
First, we FOCUS on a source of knowledge, using a capacity we might call our will or our intention, which ancient wisdom teaches is “located” in the region of the solar plexus.
Next, we SURRENDER ourselves to the source of knowledge. This is essentially an emotional act, centered perhaps in the heart and involving the feminine aspect of our being.
(NOTE: Recent scientific studies have confirmed that there are neuron, or “brain”, cells in both the solar plexus and the heart regions of the human body.)
Next, we ANALYZE what we have received in order, for example, to fully understand its meaning and its relevance. This engages our left brain and our frontal cortex and is more a masculine activity.
Finally, we INTEGRATE what we have learned into our lives. This is a profoundly individualized and transformational, or even evolutionary, activity.
4Mar2010
Lunar Day 20: TRANSMISSION
Associations: Surrender
Mayan Sacred Calendar Day: 8 WOODPECKER
Associations: Masculine, Analyze, Focus
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