Jeffrey M. Schwartz is an eminent thinker, psychiatrist, researcher and author who has made the structure and functioning of the brain his life work. Besides pioneering the first treatment program for people suffering from OCD, he has also published mainstream works that include "Brain Lock", "The Mind and the Brain" and the recent "You Are Not Your Brain". ntpages caught up with him ahead of an appearance at Mind & Its Potential, a gathering of world leaders in science, education, psychology and the arts.
You make a clear distinction between us and our brains. Is their a constant battle between the two?
"I am not sure if it is a battle, but there is often a discrepancy between our inner processes and our true inner self, what I call our wise advocate."
How do I identify these discrepancies?
"They can best be described as feelings, urges and compulsion which go against our internal "wise advocate" or true inner self. Everyday examples may be anything from checking your email or social media too often to abusing a substance such as alcohol, drugs or even food. It is also common for us to get down on ourselves, so any emotion that is not true to our inner selves."
Tell us more about our wise advocate?
"Our wise advocate is our true inner self, that essentially guides us through life. It is accessed when we spend time with people we trust or connect with things that we value. We basically need to train ourselves to listen to our wise advocate to realise our true goals."
How can we achieve this?
"I use a four step plan which starts with relabelling a negative motion or impulse, which allows us to manage our response to it. The second step is to reframe the emotion or feeling and attribute it to your brain – as opposed to you. Then refocus on a positive, as opposed to negative, response. Revaluing completes the approach as you now use the positive valuation habitually without even having to think about it."
What impact is modern technology having on the functioning and development of our brain?
"Technology has had a big impact on the interface between brain imagery and psychology. I believe our brains are benefitting from interacting with technology as it gives us a better understanding of how our internal processes work while allowing us to better interpret brain messages."
What are the implications for us?
"I think they are largely positive, though we need to remember that ultimately we still have to make decisions and listen to our true inner self."
What personal daily rituals do you have?
"I prefer the term "constructive habit", and meditation is one of mine. I have spent an hour in the lotus position every day for some 25 years."
Jeffrey Schwartz will be speaking on day two of Mind & Its Potential 2011, which takes place at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in Sydney from 7 - 8 November 2011.
Originally published on Oct 12, 2011
