Deep Quong Healthy Living
*(Trademark Registration Pending)
"Unlocking Doors of Thought"
January 31, 2015
The Surprising Science of Happiness
Or
Also Known As...
"Sustainable Optimal Cognitions*"
* more practical clinical term
Or
Also Known As...
"Sustainable Optimal Cognitions*"
* more practical clinical term
Four Surefire Ways To Happiness
Accrue wealth, power and prestige, then lose it.
Spend as much of your time in prison as possible.
Make someone else really, really rich.
Never, ever join the Beatles
OR
You can watch this video to find out why?
The Science of Happiness - Harvard Magazine
Never forget - it is all in the words. Mathematics is absolute, while words can only approximate reality
Positive Psychology and the Science of Happiness
"IMPORTANT BLOG POST"
TEDxTALKS - #Toronto
"The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People"
Deep Quong Optimal Cognition Research Labs
Read More
January 16, 2015
SPECIAL 2015 REPORT
Seven Modules Guaranteed to Forever Change Your Thinking Life
Here, we believe is one of the most comprehensive posts ever constructed from varied sources that touches on the most salient time-tested and leading edge thinking on thoughts or cognition. Each of us may apply some, none or all of these modules - noting that they also have a life of their own in so many ways.
It is not perfect nor complete nor static, but at the very least, it should give you a truly useful starting and reference point, as well as, some thing to just think about.
Have fun!
Seven Modules Guaranteed to Forever Change Your Thinking Life
Here, we believe is one of the most comprehensive posts ever constructed from varied sources that touches on the most salient time-tested and leading edge thinking on thoughts or cognition. Each of us may apply some, none or all of these modules - noting that they also have a life of their own in so many ways.
It is not perfect nor complete nor static, but at the very least, it should give you a truly useful starting and reference point, as well as, some thing to just think about.
Have fun!
LIFE'S SECRET TIPS #3 - THINK, THINK, THINK - Then THINK again - Paradoxically; Key Guideposts to Applied Thought Fundamentals
Module #1 - What is the physiology of thought?
Thought. by default. must manifest from biochemical energy events of the brain's physical neurological structure. Why? Does E=MC2?
The mechanisms underlying the production of thoughts by exceedingly complex cellular networks that construct the human brain constitute the most challenging problem of
natural sciences. Our understanding of the brain function is very much shaped by the neuronal doctrine that assumes that neuronal networks represent the only substrate for cognition. These neuronal networks however are embedded into much larger and probably more complex network formed by neuroglia. The latter, although being electrically silent, employ many different mechanisms for intracellular signalling. It appears that astrocytes can control synaptic networks and in such a capacity they may represent an integral component of the computational power of the brain rather than being just brain “connective tissue”. The fundamental question of whether neuroglia is involved in cognition and information processing remains, however, open. Indeed, a remarkable increase in the number of glial cells that distinguishes the human brain can be simply a result of exceedingly high specialisation of the neuronal networks, which delegated all matters of survival and maintenance to the neuroglia.At the same time. potential power of analogue processing offered by internally connected glial networks may represent the alternative mechanism involved in cognition.
Module #2 - What are the core concepts of "Paradoxical Thinking"
PARADOXICAL THINKING
"The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposite ideas in mind, at the same time, and still retain the ability to function"- F.Scott Fitzgerald
"All behavior consists of opposites...learn to see things backward, inside out, and upside down". - Lao Tzu
The Green Tortoise bus line operating with about a dozen old vehicles , made scheduled runs up and down the US West Coast and into the interior at about half the price of the Greyhound. Its owner Gardner Kent gave up trying to compete with Greyhound on price in the low fare business.
Instead of hopelessly trying to reduce the journey time he did the contrary—he INCREASED the journey duration. –six rather than four days! He used the extra two days to build more ‘ fun’ into the trip—games, walks in the woods, fishing etc. His business multiplied and he was able to take over another bus service. His idea, a product of paradoxical contrarian thinking, produced extraordinary results. His fun trip strategy led him to a new segment a niche opportunity made possible by the socioeconomic changes that made travel into a pleasure industry.
Paradoxical thinking involves, among other things , switching to the opposite of what is conventional. One of the most brilliant displays of paradoxical thinking is by scientist
Faraday in the 1830’s. He had observed that a current of electricity passing through a wire could have the effect of causing the magnetized needle of a compass to deflect—that is, move in a rotational direction—when a compass was located close to the wire. This was the basis of his invention of the electric motor.
Faraday did not stop with this. He took a mental leap—a gigantic one as it turned out. He reasoned that if an electric current could make magnets to move, maybe the reverse could also happen. Could a moving magnet cause electricity to flow? He found that it did. Thus was born the generator.
Typically our NRI relatives buy fancy things including gadgets at duty free shops elsewhere in the world on their way to India. The Government of Philippines had a similar situation at hand—millions of their countrymen and women work all over the world. Noticing the huge gifts visiting Philippines were seen carrying across the arrival hall at Manila airport ,the Government opened duty free shops at that airport so that NRP’s could buy gifts after their arrival home!!
At the Manila shop one could buy even tractors . This shop has catapulted that country into the fourth largest seller of such goods on the world.The Philippines government reasoned that no matter what the world is doing one may gain enormously by doing the opposite—paradoxical thinking.
Opposites are everywhere .Yet we hardly stop to think abut these omnipresent opposites. Because opposites are in the background we do not see them. To be creative, we you have to pull opposites out of the background and put them in the foreground where they will be clearly visible.
It is said that a fish does not know that water exists- because the fish takes water for granted. We are like fish—we see so many opposites that we take them for granted and do not notice them anymore. If we notice and handle opposites imaginatively we could all become creative.
Let us look at some commonplace ‘opposites’. Is a straight line the opposite of a curve? But of course one may say. Yet a scientist will tell you that a curve is but an infinite number of straight lines. Is a square the opposite of a circle? ‘Obvious’ is the answer. Yet it can be proved that both are polygons. If you keep adding sides to a square it turns it into a hexagon, an octagon and so on .The more sides you add the more it comes to resemble a circle!! The two opposite things are deep down the same thing.
Can we learn paradoxical thinking ?Of course we can .Here is how. Be open in your thinking. Openness , courage and curiosity are essential. Be particularly aware of the so called absurd ideas floating in your mind. Note them down, dwell on them, play with them refine them.
Openness also means you are open to learning new subjects unconnected with your profession. Listen, explore, be curious. Pay more attention to things you have been ignoring or taking for granted. When you look at something, say a gadget, visualize how they would look and function if it were different in shape, size etc. Ask yourself –can I change this into the exact opposite?
Look at the rug on the floor –how would it be if we had rugs designed for the roof? Look at the lights on the roof and ask how would it be if we had lights on the floor? Recall that such products exist.
It pays to be skeptical. The more skeptical you are the better a paradox thinker you will be. You do not take for granted what others accept as a matter of routine. Examine customs, practices, rituals, conventions, fashions,etc.
Paradoxical thinking is one of eight skills related to intelligence. The others are memory, logic, judgement, perception, intuition, reason, and imagination. Paradox is perhaps the least used of these skills. It involves the ability to reverse, manipulate, combine, synthesize opposites.
In their path-breaking book ‘Built to last- The Successful Habits of Visionary Companies’ authors James Collins and Jerry Poras write that companies that survive are those, among other things, that do not oppress themselves with the ‘tyranny of the OR’—the rational view that cannot easily accept paradox, that cannot live with two seemingly contradictory forces at the same time. The ‘Tyranny of the OR’ pushes people to believe that things must be either A or B. but not both. The authors have demonstrated that organizations that have liberated themselves from this tyranny go on to grow exponentially and are seen as extremely of . innovative.
Module - #5 At the same time, "Think Positive" and never worry, above all else. "Attitude is a small thing, that makes all the difference" - Sir Winston Churchill.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the woman nor man who points out how the strong person stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
..so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat... "
*With contemporary edits and modifications to suit what always was... life's reality, historical purists are at liberty to revert to the original version, although we believe (or at worst hope) the original intent transcended the specific gender pronouns used in the text.
Module - #6 - Meditation, Mindfulness, Relaxation and Sleep. Each are different by nature, offering unique benefits critical to on-going health, and thereby cognitive optimization.
Module - #7 Command the language; requires on-going life-long study of philosophy, linguistics, arts, mathematics, physics, science, logic, poetry and literature, particular suggestions include; John Milton, The Philosopher Kings, Noam Chomsky, Bertrand Russell, Robert Frost, George Orwell amoung others of similar ilk.
"Lastly...
Module #1 - What is the physiology of thought?
Thought. by default. must manifest from biochemical energy events of the brain's physical neurological structure. Why? Does E=MC2?
The mechanisms underlying the production of thoughts by exceedingly complex cellular networks that construct the human brain constitute the most challenging problem of
natural sciences. Our understanding of the brain function is very much shaped by the neuronal doctrine that assumes that neuronal networks represent the only substrate for cognition. These neuronal networks however are embedded into much larger and probably more complex network formed by neuroglia. The latter, although being electrically silent, employ many different mechanisms for intracellular signalling. It appears that astrocytes can control synaptic networks and in such a capacity they may represent an integral component of the computational power of the brain rather than being just brain “connective tissue”. The fundamental question of whether neuroglia is involved in cognition and information processing remains, however, open. Indeed, a remarkable increase in the number of glial cells that distinguishes the human brain can be simply a result of exceedingly high specialisation of the neuronal networks, which delegated all matters of survival and maintenance to the neuroglia.At the same time. potential power of analogue processing offered by internally connected glial networks may represent the alternative mechanism involved in cognition.
© 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserve
alex.verkhratsky@manchester.ac.uk
PARADOXICAL THINKING
"The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposite ideas in mind, at the same time, and still retain the ability to function"- F.Scott Fitzgerald
"All behavior consists of opposites...learn to see things backward, inside out, and upside down". - Lao Tzu
The Green Tortoise bus line operating with about a dozen old vehicles , made scheduled runs up and down the US West Coast and into the interior at about half the price of the Greyhound. Its owner Gardner Kent gave up trying to compete with Greyhound on price in the low fare business.
Instead of hopelessly trying to reduce the journey time he did the contrary—he INCREASED the journey duration. –six rather than four days! He used the extra two days to build more ‘ fun’ into the trip—games, walks in the woods, fishing etc. His business multiplied and he was able to take over another bus service. His idea, a product of paradoxical contrarian thinking, produced extraordinary results. His fun trip strategy led him to a new segment a niche opportunity made possible by the socioeconomic changes that made travel into a pleasure industry.
Paradoxical thinking involves, among other things , switching to the opposite of what is conventional. One of the most brilliant displays of paradoxical thinking is by scientist
Faraday in the 1830’s. He had observed that a current of electricity passing through a wire could have the effect of causing the magnetized needle of a compass to deflect—that is, move in a rotational direction—when a compass was located close to the wire. This was the basis of his invention of the electric motor.
Faraday did not stop with this. He took a mental leap—a gigantic one as it turned out. He reasoned that if an electric current could make magnets to move, maybe the reverse could also happen. Could a moving magnet cause electricity to flow? He found that it did. Thus was born the generator.
Typically our NRI relatives buy fancy things including gadgets at duty free shops elsewhere in the world on their way to India. The Government of Philippines had a similar situation at hand—millions of their countrymen and women work all over the world. Noticing the huge gifts visiting Philippines were seen carrying across the arrival hall at Manila airport ,the Government opened duty free shops at that airport so that NRP’s could buy gifts after their arrival home!!
At the Manila shop one could buy even tractors . This shop has catapulted that country into the fourth largest seller of such goods on the world.The Philippines government reasoned that no matter what the world is doing one may gain enormously by doing the opposite—paradoxical thinking.
Opposites are everywhere .Yet we hardly stop to think abut these omnipresent opposites. Because opposites are in the background we do not see them. To be creative, we you have to pull opposites out of the background and put them in the foreground where they will be clearly visible.
It is said that a fish does not know that water exists- because the fish takes water for granted. We are like fish—we see so many opposites that we take them for granted and do not notice them anymore. If we notice and handle opposites imaginatively we could all become creative.
Let us look at some commonplace ‘opposites’. Is a straight line the opposite of a curve? But of course one may say. Yet a scientist will tell you that a curve is but an infinite number of straight lines. Is a square the opposite of a circle? ‘Obvious’ is the answer. Yet it can be proved that both are polygons. If you keep adding sides to a square it turns it into a hexagon, an octagon and so on .The more sides you add the more it comes to resemble a circle!! The two opposite things are deep down the same thing.
Can we learn paradoxical thinking ?Of course we can .Here is how. Be open in your thinking. Openness , courage and curiosity are essential. Be particularly aware of the so called absurd ideas floating in your mind. Note them down, dwell on them, play with them refine them.
Openness also means you are open to learning new subjects unconnected with your profession. Listen, explore, be curious. Pay more attention to things you have been ignoring or taking for granted. When you look at something, say a gadget, visualize how they would look and function if it were different in shape, size etc. Ask yourself –can I change this into the exact opposite?
Look at the rug on the floor –how would it be if we had rugs designed for the roof? Look at the lights on the roof and ask how would it be if we had lights on the floor? Recall that such products exist.
It pays to be skeptical. The more skeptical you are the better a paradox thinker you will be. You do not take for granted what others accept as a matter of routine. Examine customs, practices, rituals, conventions, fashions,etc.
Paradoxical thinking is one of eight skills related to intelligence. The others are memory, logic, judgement, perception, intuition, reason, and imagination. Paradox is perhaps the least used of these skills. It involves the ability to reverse, manipulate, combine, synthesize opposites.
In their path-breaking book ‘Built to last- The Successful Habits of Visionary Companies’ authors James Collins and Jerry Poras write that companies that survive are those, among other things, that do not oppress themselves with the ‘tyranny of the OR’—the rational view that cannot easily accept paradox, that cannot live with two seemingly contradictory forces at the same time. The ‘Tyranny of the OR’ pushes people to believe that things must be either A or B. but not both. The authors have demonstrated that organizations that have liberated themselves from this tyranny go on to grow exponentially and are seen as extremely of . innovative.
One last example . Is it possible to make a car that is as exquisite as a BMW or Mercedes Benz but does not cost a bomb? Quality and affordability—a paradox is what many thought but not in a Japanese company that came out with the Lexus which was a great example of paradoxical thinking.
THE AUTHOR K.R.RAVI IS A MANAGEMENT GRADUATE FROM
XLRI JAMSHEDPUR AND SOUTH ASIA’S FIRST DR.EDWARD DE
BONO CERTIFIED PUBLIC TRAINER IN LATERAL THINKING. HE
createravi@hotmail.com and at 22831878
Module - #3 Learn to apply a rich and diverse variety of "Mental Thought Models." Meaning "Think Mental Models" and build an orchestra of brain cognition instruments.
Mental Models? Latticework? Huh? Do what now?
The phrase ‘Latticework of Mental Models’ comes from Berkshire-Hathaway’s Charles Munger, who is a person that has spent most of his life working out ways to, for lack of a better term, think better.
The phrase ‘Latticework of Mental Models’ comes from Berkshire-Hathaway’s Charles Munger, who is a person that has spent most of his life working out ways to, for lack of a better term, think better.
Munger has come to the conclusion that in order to make better decisions in business and in life, you must find and understand the core principles from all disciplines.
In short, learn all the big ideas and how they interrelate and better, more rational thinking will naturally follow.
This is what he calls Elementary Worldly Wisdom, and using his system of Mental Models can help you succeed in almost any endeavor.
Module - #4 Critical Thinking or applying positive thought or conceptual deconstructions to achieve the most possible optimal truth at the time.
http://youtu.be/rsL6mKxtOlQ
Critical Thinking in Everyday Life: 9 Strategies
Most of us are not what we could be. We are less. We have great capacity. But most of it is dormant; most is undeveloped. Improvement in thinking is like improvement in basketball, in ballet, or in playing the saxophone. It is unlikely to take place in the absence of a conscious commitment to learn. As long as we take our thinking for granted, we don’t do the work required for improvement.
Development in thinking requires a gradual process requiring plateaus of learning and just plain hard work. It is not possible to become an excellent thinker simply because one wills it. Changing one’s habits of thought is a long-range project, happening over years, not weeks or months. The essential traits of a critical thinker require an extended period of development.
How, then, can we develop as critical thinkers? How can we help ourselves and our students to practice better thinking in everyday life?
First, we must understand that there are stages required for development as a critical thinker:
Stage One: The Unreflective Thinker (we are unaware of significant problems in our thinking)
Stage Two: The Challenged Thinker (we become aware of problems in our thinking) Stage Three: The Beginning Thinker (we try to improve but without regular practice) Stage Four: The Practicing Thinker (we recognize the necessity of regular practice) Stage Five: The Advanced Thinker (we advance in accordance with our practice) Stage Six: The Master Thinker (skilled & insightful thinking become second nature to us)
We develop through these stages if we:
In this article, we will explain 9 strategies that any motivated person can use to develop as a thinker. As we explain the strategy, we will describe it as if we were talking directly to such a person. Further details to our descriptions may need to be added for those who know little about critical thinking. Here are the 9:
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Module - #5 At the same time, "Think Positive" and never worry, above all else. "Attitude is a small thing, that makes all the difference" - Sir Winston Churchill.
" takes a clever man to turn cynic and wise man to be clever enough not to." (Quote by - Fannie Hurst)
Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Practice overcoming negative self-talk with examples provided.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic — and it may even affect your health.
Indeed, some studies show that personality traits like optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and well-being. The positive thinking that typically comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management. And effective stress management is associated with many health benefits. If you tend to be pessimistic, don't despair — you can learn positive thinking skills.
Understanding positive thinking and self-talk
Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.
If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.
The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It's also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don't smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
Who better than the legendary Theodore Roosevelt to saliently, subtly and succinctly define its power and meaning?
The Woman or Man In The Arena*
"It is not the critic who counts; not the woman nor man who points out how the strong person stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the woman or man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spend themselves in a worthy causes; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if they fail, at least fail while daring greatly...
*With contemporary edits and modifications to suit what always was... life's reality, historical purists are at liberty to revert to the original version, although we believe (or at worst hope) the original intent transcended the specific gender pronouns used in the text.
Meditation -
20 Scientific Reasons to Start Meditating Today
New research shows meditation boosts your health, happiness, and success!
I started meditating soon after 9/11. I was living in Manhattan, an already chaotic place, at an extremely chaotic time. I realized I had no control over my external environment. But the one place I did have a say over was my mind, through meditation. When I started meditating, I did not realize it would also make me healthier, happier, and more successful. Having witnessed the benefits, I devoted my PhD research at Stanford to studying the impact of meditation. I saw people from diverse backgrounds from college students to combat veterans benefit. In the last 10 years, hundreds of studies have been released. Here are 20 scientifically-validated reasons you might want to get on the bandwagon today:
It Boosts Your HEALTH
1 - Increases immune function (See here and here)
1 - Increases immune function (See here and here)
Mindfulness
Harvard Health Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment—and accepting it without judgment. Mindfulness is now being examined scientifically and has been found to be a key element in happiness.
Read More
Practices for Improving Emotional and Physical Well-Being
Key Points
It’s a busy world. You fold the laundry while keeping one eye on the kids and another on the television. You plan your day while listening to the radio and commuting to work, and then plan your weekend. But in the rush to accomplish necessary tasks, you may find yourself losing your connection with the present moment—missing out on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. Did you notice whether you felt well-rested this morning or that forsythia is in bloom along your route to work?
Relaxation
10 Health Benefits Of Relaxation
Sleep
Nine Surprising Reasons to Get More Sleep
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
WebMD Archive
What difference could an extra hour of sleep make in your life? Maybe quite a lot, experts say. Studies show that the gap between getting just enough sleep and getting too little sleep may affect your health, your mood, your weight, and even your sex life.
If you're getting less than the recommended seven or eight hours of sleep a night, here are nine reasons that you should shut down your computer, turn off the lights, and go to bed an hour early tonight.
1. Better health. Getting a good night's sleep won't grant you immunity from disease. But study after study has found a link between insufficient sleep and some serious health problems, such as heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity.
In most cases, the health risks from sleep loss only become serious after years. That might not always be true, however. One study simulated the effects of the disturbed sleep patterns of shift workers on 10 young healthy adults. After a mere four days, three of them had blood glucose levels that qualified as pre-diabetic.
Module - #7 Command the language; requires on-going life-long study of philosophy, linguistics, arts, mathematics, physics, science, logic, poetry and literature, particular suggestions include; John Milton, The Philosopher Kings, Noam Chomsky, Bertrand Russell, Robert Frost, George Orwell amoung others of similar ilk.
"Fashion great words you are wise, Command language: then you will fashion great destinies." TIME...the Book, 2010
Where it All Began
Roots Of Human Thoughts
The Effects of Education on Health
"An additional four years of education lowers five-year mortality by 1.8 percentage points; it also reduces the risk of heart disease by 2.16 percentage points, and the risk of diabetes by 1.3 percentage points."
There is a well known, large, and persistent association between education and health. This has been observed in many countries and time periods, and for a wide variety of health measures. The differences between the more and the less educated are significant: in 1999, the age-adjusted mortality rate of high school dropouts ages 25 to 64 was more than twice as large as the mortality rate of those with some college.
In Education and Health: Evaluating Theories and Evidence (NBER Working Paper No. 12352), authors David Cutler and Adriana Lleras-Muney review what we know about the relationship between education and health, in particular about the possible causal relationships between education and health and the mechanisms behind them. At the outset they note that this is a controversial topic, with previous studies offering contradictory conclusions.
People value health highly. As a result, the health returns to education can outweigh even the financial returns. Many estimates suggest that a year of education raises earnings by about 10 percent, or perhaps $80,000 in present value over the course of a lifetime. Using data from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS), the authors find that one more year of education increases life expectancy by 0.18 years, using a 3 percent discount rate, or by 0.6 years without any discounting. Assuming that a year of health is worth $75,000 - a relatively conservative value - this translates into about $13,500 to $44,000 in present value. These rough calculations suggest that the health returns to education increase the total returns to education by at least 15 percent, and perhaps by as much as 55 percent.
remember to visit and audit lectures or presentations all over the world... it is now your oyster."
December 20, 2014
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