The Way Things Really Work
Self-Brain Surgery™ helps us see reality
What You Think is Real Isn’t Really Real
Most of us believe that what we see and think of as "real" is the whole truth. After all, our senses present the world to us as vivid and immediate. But what if the reality we experience is only a shadow of what truly exists? The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see through a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."
Growing up, I always read that verse as meaning that someday God will reveal all the mysteries of life to us. But as I’ve learned more about the incredible design of our minds and how they work to connect us to God and to our nervous system, other people, and the world around us, I’ve developed another take:
I now believe that Paul is simply stating something that is objectively true about reality. The verse highlights the limitations of our human perception, a concept that resonates deeply with both neuroscience and psychology.
Things change according to the stance we adopt towards them,
the type of attention we pay to them, the disposition we hold in relation to them.
Iain McGilchrist, The Master and His Emissary*
The Left Brain, the Right Brain, and Reality
Since the time of Isaac Newton in the 1600s, scientists have focused on understanding the material composition of the universe (Materialism), breaking it down into its smallest parts (Reductionism), and predicting behavior and outcomes based on these principles (Determinism). This intense focus on understanding "what something is" led to a prevailing belief, reinforced by neuroscience, that the left hemisphere of our brains gives us the clearest picture of what is "real" in the world around us.
Iain McGilchrist, in The Master and His Emissary, describes the left and right hemispheres of the brain as offering two fundamentally different ways of experiencing the world. The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, analytical, and often reductionist. It seeks to categorize and control, focusing on parts rather than wholes. In contrast, the right hemisphere is holistic, relational, and open to ambiguity and context. It strives to grasp the bigger picture and understand how things are interconnected.
When the left brain dominates, we tend to reduce reality to measurable facts and labels, mistaking this narrow, fragmented view for the entirety of existence. The right brain, however, offers a broader perspective, reminding us that reality is far richer and more interconnected than we can fully comprehend. The interplay between these two hemispheres profoundly shapes our mindset, influencing not only what we perceive but also how we interpret and engage with the world- including our own minds and the people with whom we interact.
Mindset and Neuroplasticity: Shaping Our Reality
Neuroscience reveals that our mindset—the habitual patterns of thought we entertain—literally shapes our brains. Through neuroplasticity, the thoughts we focus on most often become reinforced, like well-trodden paths in a forest. If we view the world through a lens of fear, negativity, or scarcity, our brains will strengthen those patterns, and the world we experience will seem darker and more threatening.
But here’s the good news: we can change the paths we walk. By intentionally choosing thoughts of hope, gratitude, and abundance, we can reshape our brains and, consequently, the reality we perceive. This aligns beautifully with the biblical command to "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we focus on what is good, noble, and true, we are aligning our minds with the deeper, truer reality of God’s design.
This process of changing our brains—and consequently our bodies, gene expression, and even future generations through epigenetics—is not merely metaphorical. It is a literal form of brain surgery. Just as I perform physical brain surgery in the operating room, choosing to direct your own neuroplasticity is self-brain surgery in the truest sense. You have the tools and the power to reshape your mind and, through it, your life.
The Role of Contemplative Prayer in Aligning Mind and Reality
One powerful tool for aligning our minds with God’s truth and balancing the left and right hemispheres is contemplative prayer. This ancient practice invites us to step away from the noise of daily life and engage deeply with God’s presence. By quieting the analytical, problem-solving tendencies of the left brain and opening ourselves to the relational, holistic awareness of the right brain, contemplative prayer fosters a deeper sense of connection and clarity.
As we meditate on scripture or simply sit in God’s presence, we allow our minds to rest in the truth of who He is. This not only enhances our spiritual lives but also has profound neurological benefits, promoting neural integration and emotional regulation. Over time, this practice can help us perceive reality more fully, aligning our thoughts with God’s higher purposes.
Perceiving the Unseen: Beyond Our Sensory Limits
We already know there are aspects of reality that lie beyond our immediate perception. Light includes wavelengths we cannot see, such as ultraviolet and infrared. Sounds exist outside the range of human hearing. Radio waves and magnetic fields surround us, undetected by our senses. Yet with tools like prisms, antennas, or specialized sensors, we can extend our perception to "see" or "hear" these hidden realities.
The same principle applies to the spiritual world. Just as technology enables us to perceive the unseen physical world, prayer, mindfulness, and faith can help us connect with the unseen spiritual realities that affect our lives. Our minds are designed to engage with these dimensions, perceiving and being influenced by spiritual forces, God’s presence, and even the unseen connections we share with others through phenomena like limbic resonance and mirror neurons.
Scripture affirms this: "The things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). By cultivating spiritual practices and openness, we align ourselves with these deeper truths, expanding our awareness and transforming how we experience the world.
The Dim Mirror and the Promise of Clarity
The phrase "through a mirror dimly" suggests that our current perception is clouded, incomplete. This is not just a spiritual truth but also a neurological one. Our brains construct a version of reality based on limited information. We see colors and shapes but miss the unseen waves of light and sound. We perceive events but often fail to grasp their deeper significance. Yet, scripture promises a future where we will see clearly, when the veil is lifted, and we encounter ultimate reality face to face.
Practical Steps for Aligning Perception with Reality
Engage Both Hemispheres: Practice activities that foster holistic thinking, such as spending time in nature, listening to music, or engaging in creative pursuits. These activities help balance the left brain’s analytical tendencies with the right brain’s openness to context and connection.
Practice Thought Discipline: Use self-brain surgery techniques to identify and challenge limiting beliefs or distorted perceptions. Tools like the "thought biopsy" can help us discern whether our thoughts align with truth or merely reflect our fears and biases.
Focus on Gratitude and Hope: Gratitude journaling and meditating on scripture can help train our brains to filter for positivity and abundance, reinforcing neural pathways that make these perspectives more real in our lives. Our friend Ann Voskamp has an incredible Gratitude journal* that’s really helpful.
Incorporate Contemplative Prayer: Set aside time daily for contemplative prayer. Use this time to reflect on God’s truths, meditate on scripture, or simply sit quietly in His presence. This practice can help you recalibrate your perception, fostering peace and balance. You can practice this type of contemplative prayer by using the Lectio365 app, or my ABIDE method.
Utilize Tools to Perceive the Unseen: Just as we use antennas or sensors to detect invisible phenomena, use spiritual disciplines and insights from neuroscience to expand your awareness of spiritual realities. Recognize how practices like prayer and mindfulness connect you to God, others, and unseen dimensions of life.
Remember the Bigger Picture: When overwhelmed by life’s challenges, take a moment to step back and consider the broader context. Remind yourself that your current perception is not the entirety of reality. Trust in the promise of Romans 8:28, that God is working all things together for good.
The Invitation to See More Clearly
Our perception is limited, but it is not static. By aligning our minds with the truths of neuroscience and scripture, we can move closer to seeing reality as it truly is. This journey requires humility—acknowledging that we do not see the whole picture—and hope, trusting that one day we will. Until then, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting that the One who created us is guiding us toward greater clarity, abundance, and truth.
The Call to Action:
What will you do today to begin seeing more clearly?
Will you take a moment for contemplative prayer, challenge a limiting belief, or focus on gratitude? The tools are within your reach. Start small, choose one step, and take it boldly. As you do, trust that each intentional effort is drawing you closer to the abundant life God designed for you. Let’s begin the journey together.
This week’s newsletter is sponsored by Timeline
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We’re going all in on believing that we have the tools to change our minds and change our lives. Living from a mind-down perspective changes everything, and it will help you harness the transforming power the Bible promises in Romans 12.
And the good news is, you can start today.
Be sure to check out the archive of previous posts if you missed last week’s letter.
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Lisa and I are praying for you.
Dum spiro spero,
Lee
Psalm 71:14 ("As for me, I will always have hope.")
From the banks of the North Platte river on Moon River Ranch in Nebraska, USA
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