Brain Health

I'm a member of the Good Life gym. After my daughter Casile gets on her school bus, I make my way there. I do a cardio workout, usually on the treadmill, for a good 30 minutes or more. Then, I do some strength training for maybe 15 minutes. Then I treat myself to 10 or 15 minutes in the sauna. I can't wait to get in there. It's my reward for working out. Then I take a cold shower and go to work. Invigorating! While I was on the treadmill this morning, this picture snapped into my mind of the Grim Reaper catching up to me. Nothing morbid. Just a fact of life. What struck me funny was I was on the treadmill, going nowhere, and he wasn't on the treadmill, so he would inevitably catch up to me. True! I realize that much of what we do is our reptilian brain at work: fight or flight. We either resist death or try to escape from it. In fact, I'm certain that the brain's number one priority is its own security. I remember years ago how I trembled when I read this quote in one of Krishnamurti's books, The Urgency of Change:

Only the deep, constant demand of the brain for the physical security of the organism is inherent. Symbols are a device of the brain to protect the psyche; this is the whole process of thought. The ‘me' is a symbol, not an actuality. Having created the symbol of the ‘me', thought identifies itself with its conclusion, with the formula, and then defends it: all misery and sorrow come from this.

This is true for everyone, even the most enlightened. What is urgent is that we be aware of this. It is the awareness of this that frees us and allows us to live without fear. The painting that I painted earlier this week, called "HORIZONAL" (not misspelled), captures the meditative simplicity of awareness and the peace that results. It is available HERE. It is a large, panoramic acrylic on canvas, measuring 24"x48" (61cmm x 122cm).