What you let go of, lets go of you
The lost art of neural connections
Due to the rise of technology and artificial intelligence in recent years, we often hear about neural networks. Or, more generally, about networks, connections, and anything related to connectivity.
The truth is that neural networks are very similar to our own brain, the interconnections, or branches if you will, that it makes the so-called neural synapses.
It is nothing more than a mechanism that produces a connection. And this connection networks as set of, let’s say, nerve cells, creates things like “automations” or memories. But let’s look at things from the beginning:
What does the expression “leave behind” mean?
We often hear that it is easy to leave something behind. “Get over your ex” or “get over your grief” are phrases we hear very often in society. This makes the human race seem weak. And while in reality it is not a weakness, and no one should be isolated, we feel inferior because we are constantly thinking about something that we don’t “have to”.
Does leaving behind mean forgetting? Not necessarily. According to many theories, mainly neuropsychological ones, forgetting simply means that thoughts about a particular thing no longer come to the forefront. In other words, they remain in the background. Because the mind is constantly thinking.
Freud spoke of the subconscious. Buddhism spoke of the noble art of letting go through observation. How? You simply observe the thought and let it pass.
What you let go, leaves you behind
In a sense, this is true. For example, you cannot forget how to ride a bike (if you have learned it) and you no longer have a bike, but you can forget names, situations, desires, dreams, and things you once wanted and now no longer want.
Most people either want to forget or remember constantly. How many mobile and computer apps are there for this? To remember things. And how much does our attention span, i.e., our ability to stay focused on something, decrease with time, age, and social media?
We don’t talk about pathology thogh such as a stroke, where the person literally forgot how to pick up a fork to eat or walk.
Why is networking a lost art?
Although we automatically and unconsciously make associations and routines, no one ever thinks of “building” a network beyond a computational one to remember something.
But what about all those note-taking methods, such as Obsidian? All of those are based on the concept of substrates. But again, you don’t do it consciously. You go through a guide, through an application whose job is simply to connect pieces, just like your brain.
So we have to leave things/situations/people behind?
Yes, otherwise we won’t move forward in our lives, romantically, socially, professionally, personally. We do this unconsciously to a large extent, but not consciously. And that is precisely the subject of this article. Not the inherent and persistent effort to leave something behind. But a gentle, deliberate observation of leaving it behind.
Some tips to free yourself from “what you want to let go of”
1. Make gratitude lists every day
2. Meditate
3. Say a prayer/recite some affirmations
4. Take care of yourself physically and mentally
Conclusion
Perhaps, in the end, the best example is that lady who, despite having Alzheimer’s, was a ballerina and still remembered the steps of her best dance.
Perhaps, in the end, the best example is “our scars” that show we fought our “demons” and won. And let the brain do its thing. And we do ours. Because in the end, the brain, mind, body, and soul are one system. Don’t you agree?