The Brain.

Have you ever wondered

why there are times
we can't eat, sleep or even breathe well?

why some people
feel more than others?

why some people
excel in studies
but struggle with relationships and
trip up in social situations?

I had a two-hour conversation with a
very long-winded, but knowledgeable psychiatric administrator today.
He answered these questions:

There are three layers in your brain:

1. Cerebral Cortex

This is what makes us different from animals.
The Cerebral Cortex is the intellectual hub
where we analyse and solve problems.

It sets us apart from animals
because they don't possess any cerebral cortex,
except monkeys, dogs and cats
which have a bit of it.

2. Limbic System

Our emotions and feelings are generated from this layer.

As it's linked to our eyes, nose and mouth,
whatever we see, smell and taste
affects the Limbic System.

*and situated right beside it
is the Hippocampus,
our memories are stored in this
pea pod sized powerhouse
which stimulate feelings attached to the memories.

That's why we seem to be able
to relive the pain when we
recall a miserable incident.

3. Brain Stem aka Animal Instinct

This governs the basic functions in your life,
which are,
eating, sleeping and breathing.

Animals own the Brain Stem and Limbic System.

*

We may own these three layers of the brain
but not everyone of us use all of them.

Every human being uses the Brain Stem, unless they die.
Can you imagine for awhile,
what a human is like when he only
uses this part of the brain in his daily living?

You're right.
He only eats, sleep and breathe.

He doesn't feel much,
since his Limbic System is shutdown.
That's where you get people
who are insensitive to others' feelings.

They can't empathise with you.
They are numbed towards their surroundings.

And because they do not use
their Cerebral Cortex
[that is, they don't like/want to think],
logic and truth
aren't important.

Their priorities are literally -
Eating,
Sleeping and Breathing.

Isn't it tragic that
we live at this level,
that is,
like animals,
when we are given the beautiful
Cerebral Cortex and Limbic System?

Grin.

I am very tempted to describe the other two layers
but I will write about the next few days.

You have a fruitful Wednesday!

*