2051756510_c0138daf6e_zThe tragic shooting in Arizona of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 17 others is just the latest sign of how stressed, distressed, and mentally sick our society has become.  Like a spreading cancer, the symptoms are everywhere.  Just look around.  The signs of sickness are all too evident in the schools in the form of bullying, on the sad, burdened faces of people everywhere, and in the media’s obsession with promoting violence and hatred in the name of entertainment and news.

The state of our culture and our planet reflects the state of our brains. Regardless of political, religious, or parenting beliefs, a better world begins in the brain. The sickness must be healed in our brains.

We live in a society that revolves around the all mighty dollar which necessitates a corresponding life style that does not place the highest value on the child, it’s environment, or developing brain.  When a growing brain is not given the appropriate attention and stimulation at the right time or even worse, but not at all uncommon unfortunately,  is just plain neglected or stressed, the brain doesn’t organize properly affecting behavior and creating deficits which emerge later in adulthood.

We merely have to look to the parenting styles of our mammal cousins which include such things as almost constant touch, prompt response, breastfeeding, communal care giving, and lots of natural play to get a model of what’s needed. Drastic changes need to occur in the parenting styles and attitudes of our society.  Sadly, women still have to hide in restrooms to breastfeed, and Facebook allows pictures of sexy, triangle-bikini-covered nipples but no images of a child latched on one? I don’t understand at all. Even if the needed shift takes place, it isn’t going to happen over night and it’s already too late for several generations. So, what now?

Individually, we have to take responsibility for our mental health and the state of our own brains.  Numerous studies have shown that we can actually change our physical brains and the brains of each other by practicing such things as compassion, forgiveness, empathy, mindfulness, meditation or prayer. These practices, along with exercise and a brain-healthy diet have to become a part of our culture.

There is also a relatively new modality available called Brainwave Optimization (BWO) developed and offered by Brain State Technologies. BWO is an effective, holistic and non-invasive method that guides the brain to a natural, healthy, balanced state.

While the company can only promote the therapy officially for the purposes of relaxation and self-regulation, I can tell you that it is, without a doubt, the one single thing most responsible for my full recovery from a serious brain injury.  BWO can improve anything (my words, not theirs) because everything, at some point, involves the brain.

BWO has been successful in treating addictive dependencies, anger, anxiety, brain injuries, chronic pain, hypertension, inability to focus or concentrate, depression, stuttering, PTSD, sleep difficulties, panic attacks and much more. It can even help people lose weight.

Lee Gerdes founder of Brain State Technologies. writes in his blog, Situations cry out for healing; opportunities can’t be more evident:

Others link the extreme acts to economic hardship. Still others contend that it is the incessant hate-filled rhetoric of talk shows, websites, videos and blogs and part of the free world. And yet others believe that the hatred is due to the proliferation of guns or the lack of spirituality in the world.

You might call it mental illness, imbalance, deranged thinking, paranoia, evil, or any other terms that indicate the problem of thinking that is stuck in one direction and unable to consider options.

For me — and for many others who understand the power of a balanced brain – these extreme behaviors are because the brain is stuck; it is unable to flow freely in the manner in which it is intended to function.

Brainwave pattern after brainwave pattern has revealed to our research team that when a person’s brain is stuck (we also say that it “lacks ability for self-regulation”) it is unable to understand beyond the immediate moment and gesture of action. It has no ability to appreciate or evaluate the larger context.

BWO involves placing electrodes on the head externally to pick up brain waves. The brain waves are then translated in real time by a computer into sounds that represent and train optimal patterns for a person’s brain and are fed back to them via earphones.  All the client has to do is sit there listening to  “bing, bing, bong, bong.”

Something has got to change to lead the way to a better world. We can start this revolution by changing our brains, one at a time, which will greatly aid in altering our behaviors and the brains and behaviors of others and even upcoming generations.

image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cayusa/

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16 Comments

  1. Susan Davis Reply

    I knew the Arizona incident would have you writing an article! I thought of you when I heard the state of mind of the guy who did it. I am becoming more and more interested in what you speak about. I am so glad I met you and helped you create this blog to educate people on this extremely important subject.

    Much love,
    Susan

    • Debbie Hampton Reply

      The incident has really impacted me, as it has many others, because of Gifford’s brain injury and because this is the act of a sick brain. I have so much empathy for her and the long, tough road ahead of her, but anything is possible with the amazing brain and neuroplasticity, thank goodness.

      I also have empathy for Loughner. While what he did was horrific and disgusting, it can only be the action of a malfunctioning brain. Could he have been helped? Could this have been prevented? I believe the answer is “yes.”

  2. medicinemenmex Reply

    We only use 4-5% of our brain power maybe Einstein used 6%. So if we are perfect machines what is the other 96% used for.
    Where are meories stored ??
    Where do thoughts come from???
    These questions show that the material side of a human being is only 4-5 % and the rest is spiritual ie thoughts come through the heart from the 4th Mental body, Memories are stored in the 5th Causal body. Physical memory is stored in the water in the body not in the brain. Get out of your brain and into your heart.

  3. Hi Debbie. Another fascinating post and again I am on exactly the same page. You are absolutely right. A lot of my writing and teaching (coaching) focuses on paradigm shift through the conscious mind and the brain is the organ of this mind. Everying on the outside is a mirror reflection of what is on the inside. The key is that a real shift only occurs, as you suggest, if it is collective. Take care. Stephen

    • Debbie Hampton Reply

      Stephen, thank you for your thoughts and your efforts with your blog to promote and educate about this concept. I believe, by spreading the word, we will eventually reach the critical mass to make the collective shift. The survival of our planet and species depends on it in my opinion.

  4. Debbie Hampton Reply

    Just imagine how powerful we could be if we learned harness and direct more of our brain power? The possibilities are limitless.

    Our modern culture totally discounts the value of anything other than logical reasoning. This has gotten us into tumultuous times. We actually have neurons in our hearts and intestines which are little brains. We must learn to allow them to work in unison with the ones in the brain and heed the wisdom therein.

    • Hi Debbie, I really love where you’re going with this. The Ancient Greeks believed that the heart was the organ of the subconscious. For me, I prefer the teaching of Charles Haanel and others that suggested the Solar Plexus; the centre of all light and energy within, that runs our systems and guides our emotions. I need to do a little more work on this 😉 Stephen

      • Debbie Hampton Reply

        Did you know that we have a “brain” in our heart? About 65% of the cells in the heart are neural cells. Did a blog about it https://thebestbrainpossible.com/the-heart-of-the-matter.

        Our intestines or gut have more neurons than the spinal cord in a network called the enteric nervous system…a third “brain.” Another blog https://thebestbrainpossible.com/the-best-belly-2

        The challenge, I believe, is to get all three in synchronous cooperation and learn to intuit and act from the wisdom of all.

        • Debbie, you’re absolutely right. The story goes that a Native American once told Carl Jung that white people all suffered from a form of psychosis because we only think with our heads……. how right he was. Stephen

  5. Debbie,
    I couldn’t agree more ~ the revolution begins within. I really appreciate the guidance you have found from other mammals on nurturing the young. Gosh we have gotten so off track!

  6. Tony Piparo Reply

    Debbie,

    I love the post. It’s interesting that my blog on this coming Monday also speaks about the tragedy and how we can affect change. Thanks for all your inspiration.

    • Debbie Hampton Reply

      I know it deeply impacted many people. Something like this makes us stop and pause…even those who normally would not. If anything good can come of something like this, it is the renewed sense of resolve to do better and to cooperate and unite to make this happen. Look forward to reading your thoughts.

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