Chapter 4 - Taking in the Good

Question 1

What does Buddha say about beneficial implicit memories?

Answer 1

That you should create, repeat and absorb these experiences.

Question 2

What are implicit memories?

Answer 2

Memories of your life that shape you mind but are not recalled consciously.

Question 3

What are the steps for internalizing positive experiences?

Answer 3

1. Turn Positive Facts Into Positive
   Experiences - we have positive experiences
   everyday but generally we do not feel them
2. Savour the positive experiences. Keep it
   held in awareness as long as possible. The
   longer the experience is held in
   consciousness the more neurons fire and
   the strong the memory of the feeling
   becomes and the easier it is to access it
   again.
   
   • focus on how good the rewards make you
     feel
     2b. To increase the feeling and strengthen it
     even more you can think about
     previous similar experiences releasing
     even more dopamine into your brain.
     Like taking internal ecstasy lol.
3. Imagine or feel that the experience is
   sinking deep into body and mind completely.

Question 4

What happens when you hold two things in your mind together at the same time?

Answer 4

They begin to bond together. This is why it is helpful to talk through painful experiences with someone who is compassionate and comforting. The two experiences get fused together making the memories less painful.

Question 5

What should you do when recalling memories?

Answer 5

Call up positive emotions and highlight the positive aspects of even a negative experience. This will actual restructure the neural connections of your brain rebuilding it from the inside out. He more you do this the more the positive feeling will be woven into the fabric of that experience.

Question 6

What is Neuronal Pruning?

Answer 6

Use it or lose it aspect of the brain clipping neuronal synapses that do not get used.

Question 7

How do you convert negative experiences into positive ones?

Answer 7

Bring positive aspects of the experience into the foreground of your awareness while simultaneously putting the negative aspects into the background.

Question 8

What do you need to do with negative damaging memories?

Answer 8

Find their roots and repaint them with positive emotions and thoughts.

Question 9

What are the two ways to infuse positive energy into negative experiences?

Answer 9

1. When you have positive experience today
   help it sink into old pain.
2. When negative experiences arise bring to
   mind the positive perspectives that will be
   the antidote to them.

When using these techniques try to take in and add positive experiences within the next few days and hours.

There is evidence that negative memories are most vulnerable to change soon after they are recalled.

Question 10

Why is it good to take in the good?

Answer 10

Due to the negativity bias of the brain it actually takes active effort to right the imbalance.