Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture

Description

The Instant Cult Classic on the Art of Reprogramming Your Own Psychological Software Neuropsychology tells us that the human mind is infinitely malleable and adaptable. We know it is possible to rewire emotions and build deep tranquility into our minds. We know we can overcome the biased beliefs and self-limiting habits that hold us back from our potential. Yet when we actually seek to modify and master our minds, we are usually met with shallow life hacks and fleeting fixes. Fortunately, many great ancient philosophers left behind the open-source cognitive code for altering your own mental patterns and becoming your ideal self. Legendary thinkers like the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Abraham Maslow have revealed the insights for building a brilliant mind, and award-winning systems designer, Ryan A Bush, weaves them into a vital theory for helping individuals scale the heights of self-mastery and lead great lives. If you struggle with persistent negative thoughts, stress and anxiety, or difficulty setting or achieving your goals, this modern self-mastery manual is essential reading. After reading this book, you will understand: How your mental algorithms determine your personal trajectory How the Stoics overcame negativity and cultivated unshakeable peace How to master the mechanisms behind your habits and behaviors The right way to introspect and balance rationality and emotion How the Buddha mastered his thoughts and desires The difference between decoy goals and defined goals The four threats to self-direction: craving, compliance, comfort, and corruption How to use your desires to fuel you instead of make you suffer How to put an end to negative thoughts and rumination How to achieve big goals effortlessly And much more... Though most never learn to change their default programming, it is possible to rewire your cognitive biases, change your ingrained habits, and transform your emotional reactions. The process of psychitecture will enable you to unplug from your own mind, alter its underlying patterns, and become the architect of your own enlightenment. Cover Jacket Content Introduction Psychitect’s Toolkit Chapter 1: The Theory and Practice of Psychitecture Mind as Machine A New Vision of Enlightenment Overture to Psychitecture Key Takeaways Chapter 2: Cognitive Biases and How to Rewire Them Understanding Cognitive Bias Methods for Cognitive Debiasing Understanding Motivated Bias Methods for Motivational Debiasing Key Takeaways Chapter 3: Values and the Methods of Introspection Do You Want What You Want? The Right Way to Introspect The Value System Cultivating Value Insight Key Takeaways Chapter 4: Cognitive Self-Mastery and Wisdom The Decoys to Well-Being The Goal Hierarchy The Dukkha Bias Setting Defined Goals Key Takeaways Chapter 5: Emotional Algorithms and the Art of Restructuring Controlling Your Feelings The Principle of Cognitive Mediation Emotional Alchemy Restructuring Your Emotions Key Takeaways Chapter 6: Desires and the Keys to Modulating Them Always Get What You Want The Modulation of Desire The Counteraction of Desire Principles of Modulation Key Takeaways Chapter 7: Emotional Self-Mastery and Equanimity On the Pathologies of Philosophers Emotional Algorithms More Emotional Algorithms Unlocking Equanimity Key Takeaways Chapter 8: Self-Direction and Its Impediments The Threat of Craving The Perils of Compliance The Dangers of Comfort The Risk of Corruption Key Takeaways Chapter 9: Behavioral Algorithms and Self-Control Behavior, Self-Control, and Willpower Design Your Inputs Design Your Consequences Design Your Goals Key Takeaways Chapter 10: Self-Mastery The Self-Mastery Triad The Self-Slavery Hypothesis Software Optimization Beyond the Human Condition Free Toolkit and Self Mastery Notes