Do you think there is more to us than the mundane?
Here are some aspects of the extended mind. See also the article under Nature vs. Nurture for a primer on how this might work.
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities;
in the expert’s mind, there are few.”
Shunryu Suzuki: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.
First we have to define what is the extended mind? Where does it begin, and where does it end? It’s a tricky subject, and on many occasions is not easy to explain. However, the truth is hidden right out in the open, but we can be confused by out of date terminology.
We might start by first defining the inner and outer self (or the private and public selves) as demonstrated in this series of short videos by Richard Lang. He uses simple exercises that do not require anything other than your own body and mind to explain ancient concepts or Truths:
Moving on to other aspects, the video below features Derren Brown, a well-known stage artist in the UK who specializes in tricks of the mind. He also uses his talents to enlighten some aspects of human behavior. Here, he demonstrates how we are all subliminally influenced by events happening all around us at levels that bypass normal waking consciousness.
It might be worth noting that when we are in a relaxed easy-going state, we are open to information entering on many levels. It’s as if the barriers are down in this state of mind, so we take in much more than we realize:
Next, we have to contrast this in the following video with a narrowing down of attention so we may see very little, perhaps just one thing. Both ends of the spectrum are useful of course, and both are normal states of mind for most everyone. So how do we define where the extended mind begins?
Follow the on-screen directions at the beginning of this video:
Jessica has had a near death experience (NDE). She relates her regret while “out of body” of not doing enough in this life:
In the following video, neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists relish: She relates how one morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, she studied and remembered every moment. This video is well worth watching, and is a powerful reminder of how our brains make us who we are, our connections to the world, and to one another:
Horizon: “The Secret You” – NDE’s, Mind etc – Good as always from the BBC: