Juicing the void
There is a space, an unpleasant space into which increasing numbers of our fellow humans are falling. New existential challenges are sucking unsuspecting folk into the void of fear, anxiety, stagnation and ultimately, death. These folk include the retirees who suddenly come to the realization that they’ll be around for another twenty five years or so and somehow have lost meaning, purpose and structure in their lives. Add to these the increasing numbers of souls that have been laid-off due to the introduction of AI and other challenges together with those that no longer see meaning, purpose nor experience personal gratification in their current jobs and behold, we are witnessing an existential crisis of tidal wave proportions.
In looking for solutions to the current global challenges, we need to clarify the formula of life as we currently understand it, at the outset. There is sufficient evidence in the neuroscience literature (coupled with psychoneuro-immunology - PNI) that the cornerstone of enhanced wellness, performance and leadership is sustained meaning and purpose.
Center stage therefore is meaning and purpose:
Meaning & Purpose
Flowing from Meaning & Purpose are Reward and Achievement respectively:
Meaning & Purpose
Reward Achievement
These core elements collectively serve to enhance Self-esteem, the source of the energy required for driving the process and making meaning and purpose a reality. The final product of this dynamic is Gratification, which like a good golf shot, drives further engagement and the whole process.
Meaning & Purpose +
Reward + Achievement
= Gratification
It is a personal feeling of gratification that secures the chemistry underpinning wellness and optimal performance. It is also the chemistry which promotes longevity.
There is one further core element which is fundamental to enhancing gratification. This is Value Contribution – making something better than it was before engaging with it! It is value contribution to self, to one’s personal environment and to the extended environment.
The mind state which parallels the successful implementation of this gratification-enhancing process is one of sensitivity to self and to the environment, curiosity and awe. From this flows heightened awareness. These elements are also the key attributes of effective leadership.
But in the promotion of longevity lies a cautionary: Attempts to increase longevity by any means independent of meaning, purpose and gratification are illogical for it serves only to fill our hospitals and retirement homes with stagnating, despairing and demented souls. For I believe that we have arrived at a point in our 'evolution' where we deny and/or fear death so much that we opt for a joyless existence instead. I would suggest that this mind state has permeated 'political correctness' as well as the expectations of patients and the behavior of doctors, to the point that there is no longer a connection with, or respect for our deepest beliefs, feelings and aspirations. Life is inflicted upon emasculated wretchedness!
And so I would turn to those that find themselves inexorably moving towards that unpalatable space with the following advice: Seek that which provides personal gratification. Draw inspiration from the purposeful busyness of the ‘doing’ - the reward, the achievement and the value contribution. Do not sell yourself short by being coerced into doing that which merely provides a material end, or longevity which is not driven by reward and gratification. For the juices of personal gratification which sustain purposeful busyness will inevitably bring secondary material success and indeed, appropriate longevity.
Copyright reserved – Ian Weinberg 2017
The Five Core Elements form the foundation of the NeuroSurge application www.neuronostic.com
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Comments
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #26
This I acknowledge Joyce. And yes it's easy to theorize about throwing the positive switch from the comfort of an armchair. But at the coal-face with all its blood, sweat and tears, many factors conspire against our best intentions. Best wishes.
Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee
6 years ago #25
Jerry Fletcher
6 years ago #24
Ian, You speak and unfortunate truth.
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #23
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #22
I understand that Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee But somewhere in Frankl's Logotherapy there is a reference to creating some meaning and purpose out of any emerging situation - the flip of the switch from hopeless-helpless to meaning and purpose and with it the potential for 'usefulness' and personal gratification. No matter how apparently insignificant the switch to purposefulness, it may go a long way to kick-starting a process.
Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee
6 years ago #21
I agree. But the dilemma lies in those viewing the aged as useless. And funds to survive become scarce. http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/07/29/for-elderly-economic-security-elusive/b33cs3PSreXb6IJ9XMpnUM/story.html?s_campaign=breakingnews:newsletter So when one cannot get a job to experience usefulness, and when one cannot acquire funds conducive to survival, there are a few outcomes possible--only a few.
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #20
Thanks for that Deborah Levine I believe that we've arrived at yet another important nodal point of awareness in this unfolding human saga: We are no longer 'old' at sixty! We need to utilize our lifetime of experience, identify our strengths and passions and evolve to a logical new place of purposefulness based on unique personal authenticity.
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #19
The question I ask myself Jerry is have we arrived at a point in our 'evolution' where we deny and/or fear death so much that we opt for a joyless existence instead? I would suggest that this mind state has permeated 'political correctness' as well as the expectations of patients and the behavior of doctors, to the point that there is no longer a connection with, or respect for our deepest beliefs, feelings and aspirations. Life is inflicted upon emasculated wretchedness!
Jerry Fletcher
6 years ago #18
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #17
Thanks Melody
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #16
You got me seriously skirting up and down the convolutions of my grey matter Ken Boddie with your comment. So here's the thing: The science of the matter shows that the existence of the 5 Core Elements viz - meaning&purpose; self-esteem; reward; achievement; value contribution, collectively enhance cognitive function (awareness etc) as well as physical body function (decreases inflammation, thus warding off 80% of illnesses). That all serves to sustain gratification and longevity. But I agree with you, we see longevity often as a genetic/epi-genetic phenomenon. This raises another interesting possibility: 2 groups emerge - the first experience longevity secondary to the application of the 5 Core Elements. The second group inherit the 'genes' for primary longevity without the support of the Core Elements (It's not in their nurture determinants or subjective life narrative). Devoid of gratification they experience longevity, but in the form of an empty shell - they merely exist beyond the period of 'usefulness', awaiting their 'sell by date'.
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #15
As do I Harvey (about engaging the ever present warts). And I too wrestle with attempts at transcending the narrative mold or succumbing to more powerful influences. But as I've said in previous posts, I believe more and more in an organized grid in which I am a mere player serving out the unique determinants of my existence.
Melody Green
6 years ago #14
Ken Boddie
6 years ago #13
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #12
In my career of small business i believe that each person that has crossed my path was not a coinicidence but rather scripted. I was to enhance them and they me before that journey ended. I have learned a lot from others. Most importantly the journey of self awareness. It never ends, but does have epochs that get challenged in change. There are two concepts that we use in developing our proffesionals. 1. People either cant do something, (Lack of skill.) or wont do something, (narrative or character will not allow.) 2. Skill we can develop in a short period of time, Character (Won't.) takes years. We may start the transformation of character by offering a reflection of alternatives instead of standard business jargon. But generally we dont finish as we become the baby in the bath water. The illusion of control is the largest battle we face in our business. Facing life as a fluid dynamic of only influence is a scary thing for most. Your journey is worthy and yes the warts are the moments of gathering wisdom as we let go of control and see influence only. I still have a few thousand more warts to go.
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #11
Your comment Harvey Lloyd is very valid as usual. Indeed I concur with what you describe. In fact in my personal case, the intellectual exercise of developing the program was the easier component. Learning to 'walk my talk' was far more difficult. But with ongoing awareness and commitment to improving the 'warts and all' and enhancing gratification, I can attest to the benefits of of sustained application. The big variable of course is the receptivity and potential for change inherent in our subjective narratives.
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #10
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #9
Thanks for the contribution Cyndi wilkins
Cyndi wilkins
6 years ago #8
"The crucible is getting hotter!" Yep...So is the planet... We have far exceeded the capabilities of our Human and Earthly ecosystems to absorb the impact of the growing use of advanced technologies...There are new levels of awareness being integrated into human consciousness...enhancing our perceptions of what we have long considered reality...This massive shift in the collective is what is required if we are to conquer our fears and transform our lives for the greater good and benefit of future generations...Very timely buzz Dr. Weinberg...A must read for everyone;-)
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #7
Thanks Pascal Derrien
Pascal Derrien
6 years ago #6
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #5
I'm optimistic that we're heading towards a perfect storm. Multiple forces are converging upon every facet of our lives and we will be required to make a call about what is of value and sustainable on the one hand and what is redundant and counter evolutionary on the other. The crucible is getting hotter!
CityVP Manjit
6 years ago #4
Ian Weinberg
6 years ago #3
Thanks very much Debasish Majumder
Debasish Majumder
6 years ago #2
Paul Walters
6 years ago #1