Concepts are integral to human functioning, enabling us to learn, understand, make decisions, and reflect. Neuroscience reveals that our brains are wired to use concepts to manage the complexity of our environment. These categories help us make sense of the world, find meaning, and survive. Embracing a concept about your humanness can clarify what you must manage daily, influence your choices, and optimize your autonomy over behavior, improving your wellbeing.
Conceptualizing your lived human experience can significantly enhance self-awareness and function. Simplifying concepts can make them more effective. This chapter introduces the Two Worlds concept to bring clarity and structure to your lived experience, aiding in self-mastery and awareness.
The Two Worlds concept, though not scientifically proven, has been useful in understanding and navigating human experience. It categorizes experiences into two interconnected realms: the inner and external worlds. The inner world includes thoughts, feelings, urges, emotions, values, ethics, and beliefs. The external world comprises sensory experiences and societal influences.
Inner World
- Thoughts: Generated by our minds, thoughts are relentless and involuntary. They can be conscious or unconscious, useful or not, and can take various forms. Understanding that thoughts do not necessarily define us is crucial for wellbeing.
- Physical Feelings: Sensations like a heartbeat or muscle tension are part of our human experience. Interoception describes our awareness of these sensations. Some people are highly attuned to these feelings, while others may need to tune in more to improve self-care.
- Urges: These are impulses that drive us to act. Understanding and predicting urges can help manage them effectively.
- Emotions: Complex states that drive behavior, emotions are essential for decision-making. They have physiological and psychological dimensions and are influenced by culture and language. Recognizing and understanding emotions is key to self-mastery.
- Values, Ethics, and Beliefs: These inner experiences shape our perceptions and responses. Building awareness around them helps in understanding our reactions and behaviors.
External World
The external world includes everything outside us, like other people, the environment, and cultural norms. We experience it through our senses, and it often seems more real and easier to discuss than the inner world. However, balancing awareness of both worlds is essential for a holistic view and healthy self-awareness.
Living in Two Worlds
Understanding the interplay between the inner and external worlds enhances self-awareness. Our inner experiences drive our actions, affecting our external environment, which in turn influences our inner world. For instance, feeling cold prompts us to turn on a heater, changing our environment and internal comfort.
Our behavior, influenced by our inner and external worlds, determines our responses. Mastering this concept involves tuning into our inner experiences without impulsively reacting, thereby gaining control over our actions and environment.
To develop self-mastery, practice mindfulness to notice both worlds without immediate reaction. This awareness helps in making informed choices, leading to a more organized and less overwhelming experience. By understanding and managing both worlds, you can navigate life with greater clarity and control, leading to a more fulfilling existence.
