Your inner animal.

Zayl

We all have one, to some degree or another. I mean the reptile brain that resides within. These basic impulses, urges, and instincts. I feel that it is necessary to focus on them somewhat, and I shall explain why I feel this way. I believe fully that it is not safe to proper practice to completely ignore this side of our humanity, of our being. Doing so leaves us unprepared for when those instincts come calling, and leaves us not knowing how to properly handle them. They arise in every single person, it is inevitable. So, I feel that it is not proper to ignore this base side of ourselves as that can be dangerous. Instead I feel it is correct to immerse ourselves in it, and learn to master and control this side of ourselves. We have this inner animal for a very crucial reason and it is so fully integrated into our mindsets that I feel utterly ridding ourselves of it would actually leave us a little less human. We are not black and white in this regard either, the human mind is just all shades of gray, some darker or brighter than others. Like it or not, this reptile brain has more than likely influenced decisions and actions you have made in life.

Do you look back upon these decisions, and regret them? Do you think that if you had just thought it through, you would be better off? This is what I am talking about. When those thoughts and urges arose chances are you were ill-equipped to deal with them. Learning to recognize them for what they are instead of pretending they do not exist and that one day you will just magically be rid of them by denying their existence is purely futile. We cannot just toss aside such a large part of ourselves, it simply cannot be done. And of course, the ancient animal wisdom of your flesh can be life saving, or at the very least spare you some trouble when it is tempered with rational thought. Using our higher brain functions in tandem with this base side can lead to very constructive results. For example, the fight or flight reflex. We've all felt it at one point or another. When I get angry, enrages, scared, what have you, against something that would not be wise or is impossible to confront I will find time to get away from it, then launch into a dead on sprint until I can run no longer.

After the end of the run, no matter how angry I was at the person I find myself much more calm, more rational and able to look at the situation from a different perspective, or to take a step back and get a good look at the entire thing. And of course, running from something you are scared of obviously has the benefit of removing you from its presence. I also tie these "gut" feelings we all seem to have from time to time with all of this. It is wise to listen to your instincts, but you must also think matters through. I have found it best to try and find a balance between the two.

Well, these were just some musings I had on the matter. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.

seeker242

We have this inner animal for a very crucial reason and it is so fully integrated into our mindsets that I feel utterly ridding ourselves of it would actually leave us a little less human.

I would say that is true. But at the same time an ordinary human, is a mass of stress and suffering, ignorance, hate and greed. Abandoning a human leads to peace according to the Buddha.

Jeffrey

Your post is very evocative and I think there is something true that you are seeing. However I think it is kind of dreamlike and might be partly imagined and over-complicating things. Sorry I am being critical, I know. I am just saying this as I think that thinking in specifics might be a context rather than a sort of evoked shadow nature. In Tibetan Buddhism at least the primordial ground is what it is and there is nothing wrong with it. The reptile doesn't have to be rejected or listened to?? It does seem menacing though and writing this I can totally see how it could be elaborated and evoked.

But in simple context it's just feelings and thoughts.

Zayl

@Jeffrey it is ok to be critical! that's why I post this stuff here, after all. So you're saying that essentially, we should just roll with it?

Jeffrey

Learning to recognize them for what they are instead of pretending they do not exist and that one day you will just magically be rid of them by denying their existence is purely futile.

I think this is pretty good. Of course I don't know exactly what you are talking about as it is your inner world. But that quote seems really good.

Zayl

If I had to say I'm talking about those basic urges we all have. For example, someone wrongs us and our first thought may reflexively be "what an asshole! I should punch him in the mouth!" But do you? I never do, at least. Learning to temper our reflexes with our higher thought is the best of both worlds I think. Of course, doing so can lead to some of the worst cruelty that humanity is capable of inflicting on itself. But it is also one of the way to practice proper mindfulness.