Pre-Defending and Pre-Approval
The left hemisphere of the brain predominantly operates within the realms of the past and the future. It is responsible for creating abstract concepts and dealing with unreal scenarios because reality itself unfolds in the present moment, beyond the immediate grasp of the left hemisphere’s functions. To achieve this, the left hemisphere constructs fictional representations of “real” things and then runs “what if” scenarios based on these abstractions. However, reality is far too intricate to be accurately recreated in such a limited data set. Therefore, the left hemisphere simplifies these abstractions into more manageable “bits” of data, often ignoring the complex and fluid nature of the real world.
This process involves fixing a value to something that inherently has no fixed value, thus reducing reality into a symbol that can be used in simulations. For instance, consider how the left hemisphere might label someone as “dangerous” or “unlikable.” This label allows us to run “what-if” scenarios in our heads, effectively “pre-defending” against a simplified and limited view of their true nature. In reality, however, the human brain is capable of a wide range of expressions—love, fear, greed, sexual desire, curiosity, empathy, and more. Each of these states can influence behavior at any given moment. None of these states, even in the most extreme individuals, defines their entire being. Therefore, when we pre-defend against someone based on a fixed label, we are defending against an abstraction rather than the nuanced reality of the person.
This preemptive defense mechanism prepares us for encounters that may never happen, based on scenarios that are detached from present reality. Since we cannot calculate every possible variable—time of day, date of incident, our mood at the time, their mood, and countless other factors—it is far more likely that these fantasy scenarios predict what won’t happen rather than what will.
In doing so, we create a “fake self” to play the potential victim to the “fake villain.”
The left hemisphere's version of "self" is the abstraction often referred to as "the ego" in spiritual practices. This "ego" is, in fact, an illusion. It is a construct that allows us to navigate and interact with the world, but it is not the true essence of who we are. The ego’s preoccupation with labels and fixed identities traps us in a cycle of defensive and approval-seeking behaviors, distancing us from our authentic selves.
Similarly, consider the concept of pre-approval. When we label someone as “friend” or “lover,” we create expectations and rigid frameworks for interacting with them. These labels can make us inflexible when dealing with the inevitable complexities of human behavior. For example, a friend or lover might occasionally exhibit anger, greed, selfishness, or other less desirable traits. If we rigidly adhere to our pre-approved labels, we may struggle to adapt to these changes, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts.
All this fantasy and unreality dissolve in the present moment. The present moment is where reality unfolds, free from the abstractions and fixed values imposed by the left hemisphere. By focusing on the now, we can engage with the true nature of people and situations, responding to them as they are rather than as our minds have labeled them. This mindfulness allows for more genuine interactions and a deeper understanding of the ever-changing dynamics of reality.