Introduction

Living a content and fulfilling life is not about reshaping the outside world to meet desires but about transforming the way the mind perceives and responds to experiences. True happiness and relaxation emerge when humans train the mind to cultivate positivity, resilience, and clarity. Understanding the nature of the mind, the science of brain activity, and the role of systems such as the reticular activating system (RAS) provides valuable insight into building a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Mind and its Multiple Layers

The human mind operates on multiple levels, each with its own functions and influence on daily life. The grosser or less subtle layers are responsible for basic instincts, rationality, and urges, while the subconscious and unconscious mind can be broadly divided into three groups:

·       The lower mind regulates bodily functions and coordinates various physical activities.

·       The middle mind processes data during waking states, analyzing, comparing, and drawing conclusions.

·       The higher mind connects to the realm of intuition, bliss, and transcendental experiences, serving as the seat of superconscious awareness.

Recognizing these layers allows individuals to understand that lasting peace and happiness come not from controlling external circumstances but from reshaping the mind’s responses.

Brain Activity and Biofeedback

The brain is a vast network of millions of neurons connected by intricate circuits. Each neuron communicates with others through electrical impulses transmitted along axons and dendrites. When the electrical charge reaches a certain threshold, a pulse occurs, forming what we recognize as brainwaves.

Biofeedback technology measures and monitors these brainwaves, offering insights into patterns of stress, relaxation, and mental states. By observing this activity, individuals can learn to regulate their own physiological responses, fostering greater control over stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being.

Reticular Activating System and Consciousness

At the core of how humans perceive reality depends on the reticular activating system (RAS), a network in the brainstem that filters information before it reaches conscious awareness. The RAS acts as a gatekeeper, allowing in only information that aligns with existing mental patterns, biases, fears, and desires. In effect, it shapes the ego by reinforcing prejudices and personal complexes.

This explains why fears tend to magnify themselves, information that supports them is prioritized by the RAS. Conversely, people who habitually nurture calmness, love, and positivity experience the world as harmonious because their RAS filters information through a healthier lens. By reducing fears, phobias, and prejudices, individuals can reprogram the RAS to provide a clearer, more balanced perception of reality.

Impact of Stress and Tension on the Body

Modern lifestyles often keep individuals in prolonged states of stress, which takes a toll on both mental and physical health. One key marker of stress is lactate, a substance produced in muscles when oxygen is insufficient. Elevated lactate levels are linked to anxiety, neuroses, and tension, whereas practices like meditation improve oxygen flow and help clear lactate more efficiently.

The body’s fight-or-flight response, driven by the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands, is vital for short-term threats. It releases adrenaline, increasing heart rate, respiration, and sensory alertness while inhibiting non-essential functions like digestion. However, when this system remains chronically activated, it leads to continuous tension, mood swings, and vulnerability to diseases.

Long-term stress can contribute to “civilized ailments” such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, ulcers, and mental health disorders. The limbic system, another critical brain structure, plays a key role in this process by comparing new experiences with past memories. When unfamiliar or threatening situations arise, it triggers emotional responses like fear or anger, further activating the adrenal system and perpetuating the stress cycle.

Creating Positive and Balanced Life

Breaking free from this cycle requires conscious effort to reprogram the mind. By cultivating awareness, practicing relaxation techniques, and minimizing negative mental patterns, individuals can reduce the burden of stress and allow the RAS to function without bias. Biofeedback tools and meditative practices serve as effective methods to retrain both the brain and the body, ensuring harmony between thought, emotion, and physiological responses.

A positive lifestyle does not depend on external circumstances but on the internal landscape of the mind. By understanding the brain’s workings, managing stress effectively, and reshaping mental filters, anyone can create a life rooted in clarity, resilience, and authentic happiness.