[Book Sip] Am I Originally Like This?..."It's Not Because of Genes"

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books.

This is a meditation guidebook containing practical methods of 'Inner Communication' that attracted attention in 2023. While the previous work academically introduced mental strength training, this time it introduces the practice methods. The author stated that this book was published to introduce ways to improve mental strength in an easy and systematic manner. He elaborated, “If more than half of Koreans meditate regularly for just 5 minutes a day, many more people will live comfortable and happy lives free from anger and anxiety, our overall health will noticeably improve, and conflicts in human relationships at home, school, and work, including family, will greatly decrease.”

Most modern people have chronically activated amygdalas due to chronic stress. This is why stabilizing the amygdala is the foremost reason for mental strength training. First, through Inner Communication meditation, unnecessary fears and anxieties must be reduced, and chronic stress alleviated. In other words, even in urgent moments, it is necessary to change the brain’s functional habits so that the prefrontal cortex, not the amygdala, can operate proactively. Therefore, mental strength training consists of two elements. One is training focused on amygdala stabilization, and the other is training focused on prefrontal cortex activation. This is why Inner Communication meditation emphasizes ‘Comfortable Pre-Activation (amygdala stabilization and prefrontal cortex activation).’

We are usually trapped in the fixed notion of ‘I am inherently this or that kind of person.’ Such beliefs create the illusion that one cannot change, hindering confidence and consistent effort in mental strength training. Many still believe that their ability levels and behavioral types are determined by biological factors such as genes inherited from their parents. However, this is merely an illusion. While genes do influence physical traits and appearance to some extent, achievement capacity, emotional regulation, personality, and behavioral patterns are never ‘determined’ by genes. Much of what is influenced by genes is also reconstructed through acquired environment and experiences.

For a long time, many people misunderstood anxiety simply as a negative mental state. Therefore, they try to change their thoughts or divert attention to eliminate anxiety. However, such attempts are ineffective or even amplify anxiety. Anxiety is not a problem of any thought or mental state. Rather, it is closely related to specific physical changes in the body. In other words, anxiety arises from physical responses due to activation of the brain’s amygdala. Irregular changes in heartbeat, rapid breathing, tension in internal organs and muscles occur, accompanied by various physiological changes, and our consciousness interprets these bodily signals as specific emotions.

Self-affirmation forms behavioral patterns based on values that one considers important. It also promotes activation of the prefrontal cortex neural network, enhancing mental strength. As positive Inner Communication, self-affirmation fosters a positive attitude in relationships with others, which leads to overall improvement in quality of life.

Gratitude is a powerful mental strength training that not only induces positive emotions but also brings profound changes to the brain and consciousness. Gratitude simultaneously involves self-affirmation, which joyfully accepts what is given to oneself, and other-affirmation, which recognizes that such things come from others. Numerous empirical studies show that gratitude activates the prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex, increases life satisfaction and happiness, and boosts immunity. Moreover, it also enhances cognitive abilities such as creativity and problem-solving skills.

Inner Communication Meditation Class | Written by Kim Juhwan | Influential | 412 pages | 28,000 KRW