Our thinking affects the psychic structures of the mind.  There is a continuum between symmetry and proportion on one side and clutter and imbalance on the other.  It sets up the contrast of the Eastern mindset vs Western mentality. Which mindset are you cultivating?

Balance and Proportion of the Mind

When we talk about East and West, we aren’t talking about geography, but the underlying philosophy which shape thinking processes and values.  It is about how our thinking patterns and focus change and shape the psychic structures of the mind.

There are obvious differences between the Eastern and Western thought.  If you understanding the programming which goes into them, then you can predict the outcomes of these thinking processes.  It’s a powerful way to see how the effects of cultural programming controls thinking and values.

How we think changes the structure of the neurological network of the brain.  If we program a computer with bad code, we get inaccurate results, the same with the mind.

The Eastern mindset has a focus on balance. It strives to harmonize all 7 elements of the mind. Whereas, the Western mindset does not have one controlling philosophy. Religion, politics, and commercialism battle for control. This battle results in imbalance, chaos, and clutter of the 7 elements.

Symmetry and Proportion Are Important

It is a natural part of life to assess the proportional symmetry of things.  It is a significant element in painting and sculpture. Balance and proportion are also vital to architectural engineering and music. It is a blueprint for what we find attractive.

Studies show symmetry is a major factor in how we view others. (1)  We rate people with symmetrical facial features as more attractive than those with less symmetry. This correlation relates to our intuitive ability to assess the Golden Ratio. How do you measure up?

The Golden Ratio is an equation.  Length of one line divided by the second line gives the ratio of 1.1618.  The length of a face from top the head to chin, divided by the width of the face.

Another popular way to measure the symmetry of the face is by dividing the face into three segments.  Measure from the hairline down to a spot between the eyes. Then measure from the spot between the eyes to the bottom of the nose.  Then measure from the top of the nose to the bottom of the chin.  If all three measurements are similar, we see the face as more beautiful.

Symmetry and proportion are not just measures of beauty, they reflect the health of the structure.  When something is not symmetrical, it potential sign of defect.
Most people do not have symmetrical faces, and they are still beautiful.  However, we can apply this principle to the symmetry of the mind.  The less symmetry and balance between the 7 elements, the more unhealthy thinking.

Chaotic thinking causes a variety of mental conditions.  It causes everything from short attention spans to depression.  Balance and proportion vs clutter bring us to the comparison of eastern and western philosophy and thinking.  As we noted above, thinking patterns and content shape the structure of the mind. (2)

Eastern Mindset Vs Western Mindset

The conflict between these two different vantage points revolves around two worldviews.   Some people see this as the battle between science and mythology.  Yet, the Eastern worldview uses mythology to the same extent as the Western contrast.

Eastern philosophy uses the mythology of its texts as metaphors which communicate ideas. They don’t regard the people or entities in these stories as real.  Whereas, Western religion believes the imaginary people and entities in their mythology are real.  It’s a slippery slope which treats myth as fact.

The Eastern mindset vs Western mindset or balance and proportion vs clutter and chaos is one way to talk about conflicting mindsets and worldviews.  It helps us understand the two distinct ways the mind organizes data.  This is more than a different hierarchy of priorities.  It changes the mind’s structure by emphasizing and reinforcing unhealthy thought patterns.

We use two diagrams to understand how the Eastern mindset differs from the Western perspective. It is their quality, proportion, and balance which make all the difference. You notice both psychic structures contain the same elements:

1) Body
2) Culture
3) Heart
4) Instincts
5) Personality
6) Inner Critic
7) Thinking

Quality is a measure of accuracy and efficiency.  For example, one measure of accuracy is are the statements 1 + 1 = 2, and 2 + 1 = 3.  It takes about 360 pages of advanced math to extrapolate all how it is true.  We trust this works because we prove by simple addition.  If someone believes 1 + 1 = 3, this changes everything. We can’t calculate proofs for the result of  1 + 2.

The second equation does not have the quality and symmetry of 1 + 1 = 2.  The first equation is both accurate and efficient, but the second one is neither.  The example of math is easier to see than that of arguments made in philosophy.

However, we can judge the quality and efficiency of the argument by dissecting the premises on which the argument rests.  For example, if someone says they believe in a specific higher power, then ask them for the proofs that they used to draw their conclusion.  Their belief will come down to three things which are unreliable; what someone told them to believe, their divinely inspired texts and tradition.

We know we can change the structure of the mind. That’s how many technologies work, like psychoanalysis and brainwashing. (3)

The Eastern Mindset

All resources are equal in proportion when your mind is in balance, centering on the heart. The heart channels the virtues of the spirit.  When we have this balanced mindset, we think and act more responsibly.  You can think more clearly and are less likely to fall prey to psychological manipulation, making you better at solving problems and finding solutions.

Acting from symmetry and proportion means acting with emotional equilibrium, a place where mind, body, and spirit are in alignment and balance.  The balance of these resources enables us to access the “virtues of the spirit.” These virtues are the higher values of our nature.  The path to accessing these involves serious “inner work.” We have exposure to harmful programming from the cultural narrative that gets in the way.  Once you remove these roadblocks, the natural virtues can shine through.

People with this mindset care about others and the environment. They engage in activities, helping those in need and protect those who cannot defend themselves.  In times past, these were just ordinary people.  Today, we call people who want to make a positive change are called activists.  We need more people like this.  What do you think?

We think too many people are complacent and apathetic.  We need more light warriors to help in the conflict between worldviews, the Eastern mindset vs Western mindset.

The Western Mindset

The best way to describe the Western mindset’s psychic structure is cluttered.  It is out of balance.  This imbalance creates skewed thinking to justify greed, selfishness, bias, and discrimination.  It exists in all parts of the world.  It manifests through a superiority complex that is the hallmark of Western religion.

Culture takes precedent over our thinking and values the more we expose ourselves to groupthink manipulation tactics.  When the cultural narrative is in control, it overrides every aspect of the mind. It’s what makes us susceptible to the hypnotic effects of advertising.  Advertising magnifies our insecurities and fears, allowing our Inner Critic to overshadow our decisions.

The way to tell when someone is using self-hypnosis and group hypnosis tactics is by the underlying content. It always focuses on blaming something or someone for what is wrong.  These are the scapegoats on which all the ills of the culture blame.  The scapegoat justifies greed and hate.  You are my enemy if you don’t believe like me, and my religion justifies my violence toward you.  This how balance and proportion vs clutter shows up in values.

One of the key aspects of Western thought is their belief in an imaginary friend.  It provides a sense of superiority and, again, that justification for prejudice and bias.  This idea personifies the difference between the Eastern mindset vs Western mindset.

The doctrines are contradictory and illogical, which lead to the clutter.  You must learn how to interpret the texts your sect chooses and which you can ignore.  It’s the confusion which promotes distorted thinking — resulting in psychic structure clutter.

This type of programming magnifies the inner critic to sell you stuff you don’t need.  It also heightens the instincts and personality to manipulate you through fear and hate while justifying harm to others and the environment.

This negative mindset is a source of pride because of the “chosen one” mentality, which makes them exclusive and provides membership into the tribe.  Western thinking is all about exclusivity and belonging.

The Battle of Balance and Proportion vs Clutter

The Eastern mind vs Western mind is a battle between conflicting worldviews.   If policies show favoritism to one group over another, this is disparate treatment.  We see this when the rich receive what they call a stimulus or tax break.  When the poor need help, they call it an unjustified and unnecessary cost or entitlement.

It shows up most often in contrast between science and religious superstition and mythology.  It is easy to see the lack of fairness and equity in our public policies.  Preferential treatment and favoritism cause an imbalance in the distribution of resources.  You can see how balance and proportion vs clutter are a reflection of political and religious thinking.

Abrahamic religions dominate almost half of the world’s population. These are the religions of Semitic origin; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.  The extreme fundamentalist views of these religions deny scientific facts to maintain control.  This type of thinking is the most dangerous when it corrupts the government.  It jeopardizes the people and the planet.  And this is precisely why what you believe matters.

References

(1)  Facial Symmetry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_symmetry
Physical Attractiveness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_attractiveness
Golden Ratio section: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-section_search

(2) Simple Psychology: https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychodynamic.html

(3) Psychoanalytical Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalytic_theory
Brainwashing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing