Changing and changed

The following matrix shows four ways of thinking about the changing of minds. It can be either self or other who does the changing and who is changed.

1 - Self changes self

You can notice your own thoughts and feelings and therefore become objective about them. This leads to unattachment from the prevalent world view and allows for a relatively easy time in reconciliation. It is as if there is a you on automatic pilot but also another you as witness. The task is to accentuate the latter and diminish the former. Notice what you think and feel. Transcend. Self actualise. Know yourself. Know there is no self.

2.- Other changes self

This is the essence of enculturation and education. The process begins in the womb and keeps evolving till tomb time. It begins with family and friends and gradually spreads out. The worlds of work and play also shape you. There will be cultural propaganda and advertising of fads and fashions. There can be more or less severe brainwashing.

3 - Self changes other

The self can be entrepreneurial and creative. It can think different and seek to spread its ideas. They are the shakers and movers. OR  - the self can be parent to the child, teacher to the student, shepherd to the sheep. The idea is to be conservative and to maintain the traditional ways.

4 – Other changes other

Most people have a limited interaction with other cultures. But they appreciate that they are dynamic.  Modern Western people find it hard to get their heads around the grooming of suicide bombers.

--ooOoo--

Changing minds means changing the thoughts, feelings and moods that lead to activity. The mindbrain is continually churning and changing its configuration as a reaction or response to inputs from the sense organs. Neuro-psychology experiments show that most of the sensing/feeling/thinking/acting process is fast, intuitive, complex and most of it happens in the unconscious. How long is a thought moment? He who hesitates is lunch.