Has consciousness emerged as the immune system for the mind?

[SoLeftIAmRight]

I will not elaborate on the parallels. I only point out that the mind often gets hijacked by behaviors and beliefs in much the same way as our biology gets taken control of by viruses, parasites, and disease. Also, I point out my belief that “recovery” from things like addiction and fanaticism are made possible by conscious redirection.

Do the teachings of the Buddha, Jesus, and many others point out ways to direct the consciousness to mold the mind in ways that keep the unconscious directed away from unhealthy modes of being?

[MasonDreams]

1. When asked,"are you a god or a man" the Buddha replied, "I am awake"

My 1st Mindfulness lesson was "count to ten before you hit someone"
No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this we become free.
When my mind gets hijacked I just pee my pants. Then the hijackers let me go to
the can, where I Sit and Breathe. Then, Magic... My Mind escapes its bonds!!!

[ellenrr]

2. Not only for the mind, but for the body...

I know this is different than what you are saying--
but the evidence that meditation can strengthen the body's immune system is well-documented.

[JudyM]

3. Interesting metaphor.

Taken to extremes, clinging and aversion can start running the whole show and keep us from being productive members of society, and Buddhism's salve for our consciousness would work to thwart that.

Also, just as the immune system is an evolutionary adaptation that gets us to the point where our children will survive, a psychological/cultural parallel is if our children are emotionally well adapted they will be more likely to have offspring who will, in turn, reproduce successfully.

There's plenty of discussion about how our lower brain fight-or-flight reactivity is adaptive, and the higher consciousness is a later-evolved overlay in the brain, as I understand it. Training in consciousness allows us to exert mastery over those lower brain reactions.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

4. yes and thanks

the idea of consciousness I use in this area is the very limited "area" that is held present.

Tor Norannders idea - how many numbers can you remember of the fly - how you construct a written sentence - making a list - making a plan of action

very little room - he calls it bandwidth -

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. I think what BuddhistS would say is that

your body, your emotions and your consciousness are all karmic creations.

You have to work your way through them all in order to find the Wisdom that lies beyond.