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Book details
  • Genre:BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
  • SubGenre:Inspiration & Personal Growth
  • Language:English
  • Series title:Sense a Book
  • Series Number:1
  • Pages:48
  • eBook ISBN:9781483526607

Built to Survive and to Thrive

A Journey to Self Embodiment

by John R. Hain, MD

Book Image Not Available Book Image Not Available
Overview
My iBook represents an attempt to present in a simple, image-based composition the process that human beings, driven by insecurities, go through in creating personal identities which often do not reflect their true selves but which imprison them until an "awakening" occurs that shakes their belief in themselves. At that point there is the potential for heightened self-awareness, connection with their true nature, and the joyful experience of being present outside of the limitations of the ego. My intention with the "Sense a Book" format is to engage the reader more at a sensory and feeling level than cognitive. The striking visual imagery engages the subconscious mind and offers a "gut level" experience that may arouse and inform the psyche. The reader is encouraged to dwell on each page and sense what personal meaning arises in response.
Description
Over the past couple decades there has been enormous progress in the scientific understanding of the nature of our brains and the mind-body connection, which has been of great interest to me and is beginning to explain the origins of much of the suffering that we inevitably create for ourselves and others. My iBook illustrates the process that individuals go through during childhood to create their personal identities which represent reactions to insecurities rather than expression of an authentic self, which usually remains undiscovered until an "awakening" occurs later in adulthood. At that point there is the potential for heightened self-awareness, connection with true nature, and the joyful experience of being present outside of the limitations of the ego. Of course the wisdom behind this has been known for thousands of years, so what's the big deal? Frankly, it appears that our species has reached a dead end of evolution unless it can make ego transcendence a normal part of the maturation process for most human beings. The past century or two have resulted in the rise of worldwide planet-destroying consumerism that is based on exploiting the insecurities of the ego, i.e. the brain's incessant preoccupation with personal and community security/safety, value/significance, and belonging/connection. Until we can get beyond political, social, and economic systems dependent on the exploitation of human insecurity, or outgrow the need for them by transcending our insecurities, we will continue down the road of destroying our environment. What makes this so difficult to achieve? Since the human brain has evolved to provide a physically vulnerable mammal with a nearly unlimited capacity to alter its environment in order to achieve survival, the mind incessantly seeks out, identifies, and pursues potential security concerns, especially in the areas of safety, significance (value), and connection to others. Devoting an excess of energy to such matters creates a higher chance of survival under adverse conditions. Hence, throughout life, the human mind, "wired to survive", instinctively attaches, at first emotionally, then via the ego, to whatever is perceived to meet its needs to avoid premature death, be it at the hands of nature or fellow humans, and also to procreate and protect its offspring. Why all of this creates such a problem for individuals and society is that much of this process is operating underneath our awareness (i.e. unconsciously or subconsciously), making it difficult to make conscious present time decisions without being influenced by security fears and longings. It's not a far jump to see how easily public and private enterprises can exploit or manipulate people through their insatiable needs for security, value, and/or connection. It seems never ending but for the fact that some of its byproducts include environmental degradation, narcissism, war, totalitarianism, social strife, and collective rage or despair. So we as a species must find a way to transcend our "survival mind" or suffer more of the aforementioned consequences, which add more fuel to the fire of our security fears. Hence the reason for my iBook and another project I am launching in the near future bearing the trademark "Built 4 Love" which will be a web-based service offering online resources, clothing and other printed products that bear images and word content supportive of the concepts in the iBook.
About the author
JOHN R HAIN, MD Board Certified Forensic Pathologist Peer Counselor, proficient in Focusing Recently retired from full time practice, I provided Forensic Pathology services to the Monterey County Coroner’s Office from August, 1988, when I moved to CA, until December 2012. The large majority of my work was devoted to performing forensic postmortem examinations (over 7500 performed) and expert witness testimony. I am now offering consulting pathology services for public agencies, attorneys and private individuals (www.CalDeath.com). An informative set of articles about me and the Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner's Office can be found at: http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/dec/08/dissecting-how-and-why-we-die/ http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/dec/08/incomplete-conclusion/ http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/dec/08/notes-end/ All too familiar with how people die, I have become equally interested in what enlivens men in a culture such as ours that puts a premium on self sufficiency, performance, and invulnerability. Over the past 20 years I have been regularly involved in the Breakthrough Workshop for Men (www.BreakthroughForMen.org) as well as other forms of body-centered self inquiry, most recently gaining proficiency in the well regarded peer counseling skill known as Focusing. There has been enormous progress in the scientific understanding of the nature of our brains and the mind-body connection, which is beginning to explain the origins of much of the suffering that we inevitably create for ourselves and others. My iBook represents an attempt to present in a simple, image-based format the process that individuals go through in creating their personal identities and, being driven by insecurities, how it often does not reflect their true self, which usually remains undiscovered until an "awakening" occurs that shakes their belief in themselves. At that point there is the potential for heightened self-awareness, connection with their true nature, and the joyful experience of being present outside of the limitations of the ego. Married to psychotherapist and art therapist, Jennifer Allen, author of Bone Knowing, I have 5 children from 3 marriages, 5 grandchildren and live in Carmel, California.