SAY “HELLO” TO YOUR PREFRONTAL LOBES

As a neuro-linguistic being, your neurology is designed to map the territory which is outside your skin. You do that by the neurological structures (nervous systems, lower nerve centers, higher nerve centers of the cortex, etc.) inside your skin. Korzybski, who invented the terminology of “neuro- linguistic,” expended great effort to describe the structure of the world beyond our nervous systems and how we experience them via our neurology and which we then “abstract” (summarize) to create some kind of internal code by which we can then adapt and adjust to that world. To do so enables you to live successfully, to fail to do so results in semantic shocks and reactions.

Now what is actually “out there” in the “territory” are energy manifestations—the electromagnetic spectrum of vibrations. And the great majority of this spectrum we cannot input and/or code. We have no sense receptors for receiving electromagnetic waves of ultra-violet rays, x-rays, gamma-rays, etc. For such we have to use extra-neural devices in order to pick up the vibrations.

What we do have sense receptors for are very slow vibrations that we record as sensation (touch), sound, heat, light, etc. Korzybski called this level that of the Event which is beyond us and we cannot access, then comes the level where we experience things as an Object. This is the un- speakable level; words cannot get to this level. After that comes the sense level (see, hear, feel, smell, taste, balance)— the sensory-based level; it is also un-speakable level. Next comes the level of Labels — where we use words to label the objects that we do detect. The levels of Labels then continues as we abstract more conceptual words for the simpler words. The last level is that of Inference where we draw conclusions, generalizations, create laws, premises, etc.

Given this, re-consider the old formulation of map and territory that Korzybski as a metaphor: “The map is not the territory.” The fact is—we are levels away from the territory when we are able to begin to detect it at the un-speakable level and especially when we start using words.

In your nervous system, your sense receptors trigger bio-electrical impulses as you receive “information” about the outside world. You then process that information as you “abstract”(summarize and transform) it from one order of abstraction to the next. In this way you create a map of the outside world. All the while, you are activating your lower nerve centers and so experiencing emotions and other affective states. From there your system is designed to send those impulses (that level of abstractions) upward to the next level.

Neurologically you have lower and then higher nerve regions. The lower nerve areas effect your

biological and emotional areas (breathing, digestion, etc.). This occurs in the lower sub-cortical levels (the thalamus region, hippocampus, etc.). The higher nerve areas, your cortex make up the executive functions of your mind-body system. These higher order structures within your frontal cortex and prefrontal lobes are the structures by which you exercise several executive functions. Among your higher executive functions are— Consciousness of being conscious (self-awareness) Consciousness of abstracting (mindfulness and/or meta-awareness) Understanding, conceptualizing, language acquisition and use. Insight, judgment, decision-making, sense of responsibility, beauty, ethics, etc.

Awareness is only the beginning of human consciousness. When you are aware of the world around you, we say that you are a sentient being. With awareness you “come to your senses” and input the sensory information all around here. This is the life of animals, infants, and small children. They live in the present moment, in the here-and-now world.

The next level is knowing that you are aware. This launches you into the unique human adventure of self-consciousness. When you learn to manage your awareness effectively (“run your own brain”) which includes managing your emotions (EQ, emotional intelligence), you become mindful. This awareness of your awareness is a meta-awareness enabling you to become your own CEO— the executive of your life— making informed, mindful, wise executive decisions.

This is the theme and focus of the new book, Executive Thinking (2018) as well as the training. It obviously includes how to think clearly and precisely which is the heart of “critical thinking.” It also includes creative and innovative thinking— the thinking that enables you to identify, define, and solve problems (Creative Solutions, 2017). In other words, it is an invitation to— “Say hello to your pre-frontal lobes and to step up to more fully use your most powerful and essential human semantic mechanism— thinking and meaning-making.

You inevitably construct mental models as you seek to navigate the challenges of life. Yet in doing that, you need to be able to “abstract” through the orders, distinguishing the levels, thinking critically about the structure of your map-making, use your highest neurological levels. When you do, you can then be mindful, develop sound insights, make high quality decisions, learn, unlearn, eliminate cognitive distortions and fallacies, and so much more.

This thinking journey is a learning journey and a meaning-making journey. To do it well, you need to go for accuracy, precise, and specificity. You have to be skeptical about your own thinking processes (your brain is fallible and often wrong), and you have to keep testing the robustness of your mental map. Are you ready for that adventure?