I believe that medicine’s potential is much more than the version we see in the world today. A doctor should be an educator with the goal of bringing patients to a place of deeper understanding of who they are in the world. To me, medicine is ultimately about self-empowerment through self-knowledge and growth.
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There once was a ruler who was constantly informed that the crop harvest quota was reached, yet this was far from the case. Thus famine approached but he was none the wiser.
The “yes-people” surrounding the leader literally pandered the harvest levels to him so that famine seemed impossible, yet the truth was that the harvest kept falling short. Eventually the ruler was left wholly unprepared when a famine hit that seemed to come without warning.
To be surrounded by suck-ups is not good. There are many famous historical figures who have fallen prey to this phenomenon. Powerful people may have a role in creating this undesirable scenario. Even subtly rewarding peddlers of feel-good information or punishing the purveyors of truth in any way will pave the way to warped perceptions. We need a hearty appetite for the actual and true reality, no matter how uncomfortable it can be at moments.
You’ve heard of Abraham Lincoln’s team of rivals? He chose the most qualified persons regardless of their political affiliation. He ended up with an adversarial crew, and this, in part, is why he stands in history as one of America’s great leaders.
Celebrities with their entourage seem to me to offer the opposite of the Lincoln example. Too often no one suggests that the chimpanzee named Bubbles or doctor-administered anesthesia for a better night’s sleep probably is too much. There is too much to gain or maintain by keeping quiet.
Social media algorithms are similar. They aim to keep us on their app. They surround us with the things we like, not the things we need to see or should be seeing. There’s not a dose of the contrarian… ever. It’s like a team of “yes-people”.
Furthermore, when funding for scientific research comes from a place that is invested in certain outcomes, even subtly, science is not free. Without science being free it’s like we are surrounded by yes-men in our scientific life. Only a certain picture of health, one tied to industry, is allowed to emerge.
If we are not careful we find ourselves in the dangerous place of not getting crucial re-orientation. The Lincoln path was always special due to its rarity. Modern life adds extra layers.
Here’s today’s message: don’t numb out on the social media reels. They are yessing you as they form your thinking. Don’t settle for the standard approach. Choose intentionally what you are viewing, what you are eating, and what you are using for medicine. Limit your exposure to media, in every form. Remember this:
“If you are not training your mind, someone else is training it for you.”
—Mark Divine (Retired Navy Seal and meditator)
Media mediates your reality. Spend more time directly in reality. There is more and more manipulation in media, politics, and even science. In summary: what’s important now?:
Regarding tips on meditating, the Harvard Health newsletter had this to say last year:
“If mindfulness meditation appeals to you, here are two mindfulness exercises you can try on your own.
This exercise teaches basic mindfulness meditation.
The benefits of mindfulness meditation tend to be related to the duration and frequency of your practice — the more you do, the greater the effect it usually has. Most people find that it takes at least 20 minutes for the mind to begin to settle, so this is a reasonable way to start. If you’re ready for a more serious commitment, But you can get started by practicing the techniques described here for shorter periods and still derive a benefit.
A less formal approach to mindfulness can also help you to stay in the present and fully participate in your life. You can choose any task or moment to practice informal mindfulness, whether you are eating, showering, walking, touching a partner, or playing with a child or grandchild. Attending to these points will help:
