Leo's video on willpower mentions prefrontal cortex.

[CreamCat]

He said in the video that willpower is prefrontal cortex muscle.

Lately, he started saying that there is no brain and brain is an illusion.

Which one is right? Is prefrontal cortex muscle a bullshit? Or, is it something legit?

Edited September 2, 2018 by CreamCat

[Aimblack]

Both are right depending on how you see it.

If I'm playing a game and I'm moving a character on the screen it wouldn't be wrong of a bystander to say:"You fool there is no character, no game world, only pixels." From your perspective you have been playing this game and leveled up this character to level 60. Who is right? 

[Colin]

The prefrontal cortex is absolutely legit. Try doing things to improve your prefrontal cortex and watch the results for yourself. No need to ask a soul about it.

https://steemit.com/life/@kral789/5-ways-to-strengthen-prefrontal-cortex-and-improve-self-discipline

[Colin]

[Shadowraix]

I think the whole point in saying brains do not exist is to say that all we observe are things interacting with each other. Reality interacting with itself.

These techniques and what not are tools for certain interactions that ultimately satisfy you. Which in itself is an interaction.

[Colin]

[brugluiz]

I also had some difficult to understand this idea that brain doesn't exist. What I can understand is that the mind influences the brain and improves neuroplasticity, but I didn't take it from a Leo's perspective.

[Rilles]

This video was released in 2014, people change.

[Widdle Puppy]

These paradoxes and contradictions exist in his work and all types of personal development and enlightenment work. He discusses why this is in several videos (language, our models of communication, all shared ideas coming from a place of ego, theory vs application). it's up to you to make sense of all of this. Getting hung up on these sorts of contradictions is a trap and really in the bigger picture isn't so important. Take the essence of the ideas and see where you can integrate it in some form in your life. 

Edited September 2, 2018 by Widdle Puppy

[thehero]

There is a brain, but there is no brain. It's a paradox

 

Edited September 2, 2018 by thehero

[Leo Gura]

A) That's a really old video, prior to my various deep nondual insights like brains do not exist.

B) "The brain" is a relative construct, a symbol within a network of symbols we use to make sense of the world. It has a certain relative meaning, in the same way that the word "country" has a certain relative meaning even though there is no such thing as "a country" in the world.

[Colin]

ah, Leo's blog post elucidates this topic in an eloquent way.

https://www.actualized.org/insights/anekantavada

[CreamCat]

@Leo Gura It seems you are right. There is no clear boundary between the brain and the rest of the body in the same way that countries have fuzzy porous borders that change over time. We just attached a convenient label called "brain" to an approximate region of a human body.

You mentioned 4 scientifically proven ways to build willpower

1. Meditation
2. Exercise
3. Slow Breathing
4. Taking right action

7 ways to destroy willpower

1. Television
2. Habitual internet browsing
3. Psychological dependency on Food
4. Sleeping in
5. Any kind of chemical substance abuse like drinking alcohol, drugs, and smoking.
6. Video game
7. Porn

You also asked us to

• Pick one thing that builds willpower, and decide to take action on it
• Pick one thing that destroys willpower, and decide to cut it out.

Do you still think willpower muscle training is a legit concept to focus on?

Edited September 3, 2018 by CreamCat

[Leo Gura]

7 hours ago, CreamCat said:

There is no clear boundary between the brain and the rest of the body in the same way that countries have fuzzy porous borders that change over time.

No, that is not what I mean when I say that brain does not exist. I mean something far more radical. I also mean your body does not really exist.

Nor does "the brain" serve the metaphysical role you believe it serves (the ground and source of existence).

The brain is a part of the mind. There really isn't a brain because all there is, is mind.

7 hours ago, CreamCat said:

Do you still think willpower muscle training is a legit concept to focus on?

Sure, although I would emphasis building up consciousness more than willpower.

Mediation/yoga will do both.

[CreamCat]

2 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

The brain is a part of the mind. There really isn't a brain because all there is, is mind.

If a bullet penetrates my head, what will happen? Nothing? Physical death? Loss of memory?

Or, what happens when a nuclear explosion evaporates my body?

Edited September 3, 2018 by CreamCat

[brugluiz]

7 hours ago, CreamCat said:

If a bullet penetrates my head, what will happen? Nothing? Physical death? Loss of memory?

Or, what happens when a nuclear explosion evaporates my body?

If you had a brain injury, maybe you would need to do a lot of mind work to recover your brain (neuroplasticity).

[Leo Gura]

12 hours ago, CreamCat said:

If a bullet penetrates my head, what will happen? Nothing? Physical death? Loss of memory?

Or, what happens when a nuclear explosion evaporates my body?

Same thing that happens when Mario falls into a bottomless pit.

[Rilles]