For a long time scientists believed that human beings were at the mercy of their genetic make up and that the outcomes of a person’s life were enhanced or hindered through natural selection. Luckily, in the 21st century smarter scientists using more complex equipment are beginning to unlock the power of the mind and its plastic nature capable of self-inducing and self-regulating gene expression within the brain.
In one study scientists explored how body techniques like yoga and meditation could put the body into a state of deep relaxation capable of changing how genes behave in response to stress.
“Changing the activity of the mind can alter the way basic genetic instructions are implemented.” – Dr Herbert Benson
So what does this mean for you and I? Thousands of people are held back from reaching their potential every day due to low self-esteem, anxiety or depression, which itself can reduce the plastic nature of the brain. Understanding that these responses do not define you as a person, but are in fact malfunctioning systems within the brain that can be treated and altered through practices such as mindfulness is the first step to rewriting your future.
“Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that – thoughts.” – Allan Lokos
Imagine what your life could be like if you were able to rewire your thinking to not allow the judgments of others to hold you back, to quiet the self-defeatist thoughts and instead build an internal fan base. Imagine a world where you’re not always striving to get to the end but instead learning to enjoy the middle, could this all be possible?
Of course human beings are not hard drives that can be wiped and easily rewritten, we’re much more complex, but with repeated and consistent practice we can learn to “perfect” our neurological circuits so that they work for us and in return we can improve our health and well-being and achieve the things we never thought were possible.
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.”
― Sharon Salzberg