The mind is like a video camera

This is one of the most important characteristics of the mind. When you understand this about the tool which is the mind, you will be able to use this tool ― the mind ― more effectively. This is important because the mind is the primary tool you use to create your life; to build the life you want; to be happier, healthier, and wealthier. Here it is … One of the most important characteristics of the mind is that … the mind is like video mode on your cellphone’s camera This is a well-documented psychological fact about the mind:  The mind records everything, then plays it back. So what do you want the mind playing back?  Horror movies? Music with horrible lyrics?  Gluttony? Greed? Wrath? Envy? Pride?  Unskillful sexuality? That to which you expose the mind is that which you become. Said another way, The willingness to learn (to expose the mind to skillful material) will transform your life. I am not preaching this from some high pulpit.  I have learned this not only from psychological research, but also from direct experience. Suffered much, have I, from that to which I have exposed the mind. Happiness much, have I realized, from that to which I have exposed the mind. Upon what do you focus?  To what do you expose the mind? The mind is a tool which you use to build your life. How are you using this tool? To use the tool which is the mind skillfully you must consciously direct it and focus it on material which is in your long term best interest. This is how you use the mind more skillfully: Focus on the positive. (principle #2: find goodness) Give less credence to the negative. (as we’ve learned, the mind has a negativity bias) Dismiss unskillful comparison. (there is no way to accurately compare) I used to be a skeptic of positive thinking. Not only was I skeptic of positive thinking, I was a critic. I thought positive thinking was for imbeciles. I pictured these people like in a Saturday Night Live skit saying positive affirmations to themselves in the mirror, "I am good enough, I am smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!" What I have learned since then, since those unskillful sardonic days, is that I was wrong. To my own detriment, to the extent of years of unnecessary suffering, I was wrong. The research and the data prove it. My own direct experiences have proven it.   The mind is like a video camera. What you put in is what you get out. The mind records everything, then plays it back. So what are you recording? To what are you exposing the mind? To illustrate this, here is a quick story: One night, back in the day, I played a video game with my brother-in-law from about 8:00 PM until 2:00 AM. Grand Theft Auto. An antihero game where you’re a gangster who gets money by mugging people and beating them up. The next day I was at the airport, tired, waiting for a flight. At the check-in counter, a woman with a screechy voice was complaining loudly. I pictured getting up, walking over, punching this woman until she fell to the ground, then stomping on her head ― just like in the game; just like in the psychological "Bobo Doll"experiments. What you put in is what you get out. The mind is a video camera. It is always recording. Expose the mind to the skillful, and this is what it will play back: Focus on the positive. (principle #2: find goodness) Give less credence to the negative. (as we’ve learned, the mind has a negativity bias) Discount all unskillful comparison. (there is no way to accurately compare) Share with me something skillful upon which you focus the mind. Even if the only example you can think of are these emails, let me know! While there is not always time to reply to every email, I read every single one.  Coming in the next step on The Journey, we are going to learn how to tell the future. The Journey is already amazing, and it is about to become even more amazing! Sincerely, Daiya ― Here is the video for this step on The Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k__LwQpK3Ls ― This is interesting: go to YouTube and search for "Bobo Doll experiment" ― There is an allure to games like Grand Theft Auto and movies like Us by Jordan Peele. Joseph Conrad, author of The Heart of Darkness, called this allure the fascination with abomination. There is also an allure for chocolate cake and ice cream. Self-moderation is key. Each individual must determine how much is healthy for their life. You must figure this out for your life. It is your responsibility to determine this. ― The mind is vigilant, guarded, defended, sensitive to slights, looking for what is wrong and what could go wrong. That’s the default nature of the mind. Must. Always. Survive. Might there be a tiger in that cave? Could rocks tumble down on us? Is that person no longer liking me? Might I be kicked out of the tribe? Will we have enough shelter and food for winter? The mind doesn’t say, "Look at this nice hut! Look at this stockpile of food!" The mind says, "Jimmy had this much food, but then his roof collapsed and a bear ate him." So first (1) take heart knowing that the mind you have is not broken, flawed, or wrong if it seems to have a predilection for the negative. This is the way the mind was designed to work. Second (2) use negativity bias compensation. When negative thoughts arise, give them less credence. 100 people liked and 1 gave a thumbs down - wonderful!