Viruses of the Mind

I just finished reading "Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme," by Richard Brodie. I decided to read it, based on a recommendation by Wayne Dyer PhD. It's a really good look at something called a "Meme" and how more often than not, they are guiding and directing our behavior, often in ways that are not necessarily self-helping.

In short a meme is "An idea, concept, belief, thought, project etc. that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action. Memes propagate themselves and can move through a ‘culture’ in a manner similar to a virus." From my view memes can appear rather overly simplistic but incredible powerful at the same time. Brodie through great supporting examples shows that our programming starts when we are very young and continues to expands at the light speed as we get older.

As Brodie discusses "Mind Viruses," which are basically Memes truly run-amok, I was reminded about how much random code we have in our brain. These memes don't even really belong to us, yet at the very same time, limit the quality of our life experience in many subtle and profound ways. In fact, after deeper consideration, it was interesting to trace how easily it to pick-up mind viruses. Though the process of zazen, I can see them in very clear and obvious terms.

A great and recent example is someone shouting, "Government health-care is going to create death panels," and without ever having read the bill or thinking through what was actually said, numerous people were pulled into an "everything and the kitchen sink" battle. All eyes, attention and spotlights were given to someone who made a two sentence post on a facebook page. That's illogical, but people fell for it. The mind virus spread like a fire in a dry forest.

As mind viruses relate to me personally, I have known many. Men have to be strong. Crying is not okay. Money is power and security. Going to college is always better than not going to college. Value and worth are established by what you can provide, rather than just who you are. Mom and Dad will always do the "right thing." And on and on the list goes. Random bits of code clogging our life experience.

The interesting thing that Brodie points out is that mind viruses don't have our best interest in mind. Mind viruses like biological viruses take on a life of their own to support themselves, not you or I. In fact mind viruses can mutate and spread beyond what the original intent of the meme. We are just hyper-convenient carriers of memes. That's important to note. People die or live very painful situations, because of mind viruses all the time.

Towards the end of the book, Brodie talks at length about ridding ourselves of our mind viruses and in some measure, gaining management over our mind in such a way that we can have improved life experiences. What was really interesting was how he suggested doing it.

One suggestion he made was using something know as Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). If you have any familiarity with Tony Robbins, that would give you a good start which is approachable. The second suggestion is Zen Buddhism. He relates that because a significant part of practice is learning to focus and train the mind, particularly though koans, in the process memes are frequently dissolved. Because the mind focuses and stills, clarity of mind sees beyond the mind viruses and "artificial distinctions can be dropped." Please note, this by his own description is a process and not an event.

I strongly suggest giving "Viruses of the Mind," a read. The motivation? It offers a skillful pointer to get outside of our life ruts and move forward, rather than repeating and maintaining circular patterns of self-defeating behavior. I hope you find it as useful as I have.

Namaste'

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO