Micro-Talk: Stone Age/Modern Mind|Never Mind Your Mind

This session is rooted in Contextual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an evolution of traditional CBT that integrates mindfulness and psychological flexibility. Within this framework, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps us unhook from unhelpful thought patterns and engage more fully with life.

In this thought-provoking micro-talk, Reuben explores how our Stone Age brains, wired for survival, still influence our modern thoughts and behaviors. By understanding the mind’s ancient programming, we can meet it with compassion rather than resistance, and begin to live with more awareness, intention, and freedom.

Transcript

The mind and how the brain has evolved.

The Stone Age mind in a modern world.

Our brains are incredible problem-solving machines,

Finally tuned over millions of years to ensure one thing.

Safety first.

For our Stone Age ancestors,

Survival depended on their ability to avoid threats,

Protect themselves from harm,

And prepare for future dangers.

Belonging to a tribe was critical.

Being cut off meant certain death.

This survival-driven design shaped the way our minds evolved.

Early humans who excelled at spotting,

Predicting,

And avoiding dangers were the ones who survived.

Their sharp minds ensured they could identify problems,

Whether real or imagined,

And find solutions to stay alive.

Over time,

This safety-first programming became hard-wired into the brain.

The modern mind still geared towards survival.

Despite the remarkable advances of the modern world,

Our minds are still driven by this safety-first approach.

We could break these down into two primary goals,

As Dr.

Russ Harris has done.

Most people don't realize,

Says Dr.

Russ Harris,

That our minds are designed to number one,

Keep us safe,

And number two,

Keeping us from pain or discomfort.

This safety-first approach means our brains are constantly scanning for anything that could be perceived as a threat,

Even if it's something as small as a potential,

Awkward encounter with a colleague at a social event.

Likewise,

The mind seeks to avoid even the slightest discomfort,

Whether it's an underlying anxiety about a social event or the effort required to start a new task.

Holding our minds with compassion.

It's important to remember that our minds aren't working against us.

They're just trying to do their job.

While this ancient programming is unhelpful at times,

It's rooted in a deep desire to protect us.

With this understanding,

We can hold ourselves and our minds with greater compassion.

Instead of battling against our thoughts or blaming ourselves for feeling stuck,

Judgmental,

Etc.

,

We can practice kindness.

Thank you,

Mind,

For trying to keep me safe.

I see what you're doing,

But I don't need to invest in this thought right now.

It's not helpful.

This is the power of awareness.

Looking at our thoughts,

Looking at these thinking patterns,

Not from them.

This helps us step out of our minds and into our lives,

Holding ourselves and our thoughts with the compassion they deserve.

If this has sparked some interest within you,

Get in touch with me or search for Never Mind Your Mind,

And you can find out more.

Reviews

Reuben you have taught us to step back and look at our thoughts, to repond, not react. I use this everyday. Thank you 🙏🏻

We are inclined not to appreciate the mind. Thank you for your words. 🙏🕊