When facing a single tree, if you look at a single one of its red leaves, you will not see all the others. When the eye is not set on one leaf, and you face the tree with nothing at all in mind, any number of leaves are visible to the eye without limit. But if a single leaf holds the eye, it will be as if the remaining leaves were not there.
(Takahiro Kitamura)
Latent inhibition
As you grow, the mind learns to label objects and filter out extraneous
information.
This filtering process is called 'latent inhibition' - and it means that the
conscious mind is only aware of a fraction of the data being processed by
the brain.
In some rare cases, the ability to filter incoming data is decreased.
People with LLI (low latent inhibition) are incapable of seeing things
in terms of
labels.
They notice an awful lot more. Reality becomes more vivid and alive.
Everyone has different levels of latent inhibition.
It can become a
problem if the inhibition process is radically decreased.
LLI is not a disease.
You do not suffer from it.
It is a
dysfunction that has both positive and negative sides.
Simultaneity
For most people, reality is experienced piecemeal.
They concentrate on one task at the exclusion of other things.
Whilst typing on the computer, hearing diminishes, smell diminishes - the
awareness is narrowed.
With LLI this is not the case at all. The input is constant. Your awareness
does not fluctuate much at all.
It only oscillates between hyper-awareness and extreme-awareness - with the
latter being something to be concerned about.
LLI puts you in touch with the raw immediacy of reality.
The overwhelming sensory input means that you experience everything
simultaneously: the humming of the computer, the flickering of the monitor, the feel
of the clothing you wear, your emotions, the bird in your garden, the smell
of coffee...
Every miniscule detail happening around you is felt in its entirety.
This does not mean that you read every word, remember every facet, but you
do see it, smell it, hear it, taste it and feel it.
The information is absorbed. Your mind is sponge-like in its capacity to
pick things up.
You learn from them, and demonstrate new insights and understanding.
Clever?
There is nothing clever or impressive about low latent inhibition.
It is no different to somebody who can run quickly or has a photographic
memory.
These are all natural abilities.
The only thing clever about LLI is what you choose to do with it.
In life, we have an opportunity to make the best of our abilities.
Yet, how many people really fulfil their potential?
How many people squander natural talents/skills because they are too
unmotivated to act?
LLI is no different.
If you choose to cultivate it and use it productively, you can harness your
creative potential.
If you are too lazy, then you may as well not have LLI.
LLI - pros
There are many aspects of low latent inhibition that are good:
You
notice more,
hear more, smell more and feel more through tactile contact. Without any
conscious effort, your mind is in possession of a broader
intake of
information.
Upon encountering any form of stimulus
(that interests you),
your mind automatically dismantles and explores its components.
You usually see through the lies and the deceptions that
people use in everyday life.
When learning, you can often make instantaneous changes.
Self-correction is easy because the underlying principle
is more evident. Clearer.
Your memory is good. You can recall extensive details
without effort.
You make connections and associations between seemingly
unrelated material.
Comprehension is typically easy. You
notice the non-verbal background information and this often provides a
more comprehensive picture than what is being spoken.
Insights occur quite easily and the background reasoning
is intact.
Creativity is a given. You see alternatives.
You
notice things that other people miss.
You are innately
organised.
Your conscious-mind is
unusually
quiet. There is no 'chattering
monkey' disturbing the peace.
In terms of tai chi and taoism, LLI is great. You see the
world more
thoroughly.
Tai chi applications emerge - fully-formed - with the essence and the principles cogent.
Page created 24 February 2001