Ok this interesting thing happened. I use Perplexity to help me write the podcast summaries and this time I ran it through the Deepseek model. Instead of a podcast summary, it took my transcript, did research, and added it to flesh out my transcript. Pretty cool because these Core Currents are my interpretation and integration of the things that I’ve learned from different sources. So to have references and stats added to it are pretty cool. I’ll include that output below. It’s pretty neat.
Also SO MANY REFERENCES?!
In this episode, I challenge the notion that change is difficult, arguing instead that it’s constant and happening all the time. Our bodies are in constant flux, with cells replacing themselves over time. Similarly, our minds and sense of self evolve continuously.
I explore the concept of the mind as a sense, similar to our physical senses, suggesting that we receive thoughts rather than generate them. This perspective allows us to choose which thoughts to focus on.
I emphasize the importance of accepting our current thoughts and feelings, which paradoxically enables us to change them. By viewing change as a natural, ongoing process rather than a daunting task, we can approach personal growth with greater ease and curiosity.
I had thought I was going to talk about chaos magick in this episode, but it didn’t come up. I’ll definitely get to it one day. The cover for this episode is a sigil for “I HAVE VALUE”. If it serves as a reminder of your own value, then use it ✌🏼🤙🏼
Change is indeed constant, as Heraclitus famously observed. The perception that change is difficult often stems from our limited awareness of the continuous transformations occurring within and around us. In reality, change is happening constantly at multiple levels:
## Physical Change
Our bodies are in a constant state of flux. Every cell in the human body is replaced over time, with estimates suggesting a complete cellular turnover occurs approximately every 7-10 years[30][31]. This includes:
- Skin cells, which regenerate every 2-4 weeks
- Red blood cells, which have a lifespan of about 4 months
- Liver cells, which are replaced roughly every 300-500 days
Even our bones undergo constant remodeling, with about 10% of bone mass replaced each year[33].
## Psychological Change
Our minds are equally dynamic. Neuroplasticity allows our brains to form new neural connections throughout life[36]. Our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes are constantly evolving based on new experiences and information. The Buddhist perspective even considers thought itself as a sense object, emphasizing the transient nature of our mental states[37].
## Embracing Change
Rather than viewing change as difficult, we can reframe it as natural and ongoing. Some strategies to embrace change include:
1. Cultivating mindfulness to observe the constant flux of thoughts and sensations
2. Practicing acceptance of current experiences while remaining open to new possibilities
3. Focusing attention on desired thoughts and experiences, recognizing our ability to shape our mental landscape
4. Setting small, consistent goals that align with desired changes, allowing for gradual transformation over time
By recognizing change as a constant process rather than a daunting task, we can work with our natural tendencies toward growth and adaptation. This perspective allows us to approach personal development with curiosity and openness rather than resistance.
Ultimately, change is neither inherently easy nor difficult - it simply is. Our relationship to change and our approach to navigating it determines our experience. By aligning ourselves with the natural flow of change, we can harness its power for positive growth and transformation.
Sources
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[2] Heraclitus' Philosophy of Change and Unity of Opposites ... https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/heraclitus-philosophy-change-unity-opposites-adaptive-bozanovic
[3] Does the human body replace itself every 7 years? | Live Science https://www.livescience.com/33179-does-human-body-replace-cells-seven-years.html
[4] The distribution of cellular turnover in the human body - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33432173/
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[11] The only constant is… misunderstanding of Heraclitus - EUP Blog https://euppublishingblog.com/2021/07/19/misunderstanding-of-heraclitus/
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[16] Greater organ involution in highly proliferative tissues associated ... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556514000874
[17] Regeneration in humans - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regeneration_in_humans
[18] The science of self-repair: regeneration research at Whitehead ... https://wi.mit.edu/news/science-self-repair-regeneration-research-whitehead-institute
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[20] Does Your Body Really Replace Itself Every Seven Years? https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/does-body-really-replace-seven-years.htm
[21] Buddha and Mind | National Endowment for the Humanities https://www.neh.gov/article/buddha-and-mind
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[23] 7 Major Perspectives in Modern Psychology - Verywell Mind https://www.verywellmind.com/perspectives-in-modern-psychology-2795595
[24] How does Buddhism relate to the statement that the brain projects ... https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1e2hq0z/how_does_buddhism_relate_to_the_statement_that/
[25] What is Self-Concept Theory? A Psychologist Explains https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept/
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[27] Psychology of self - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_self
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[30] Our Bodies Replace Billions of Cells Every Day | Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/our-bodies-replace-billions-of-cells-every-day/
[31] Do my cells really change every 7 years? - Quest Diagnostics https://www.questdiagnostics.com/patients/blog/articles/do-my-cells-really-change-every-7-years
[32] Changes in Regenerative Capacity through Lifespan - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4632807/
[33] How quickly do different cells in the body replace themselves? https://book.bionumbers.org/how-quickly-do-different-cells-in-the-body-replace-themselves/
[34] Scientists Identify How a Biological Pathway Leads Stem Cells to ... https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/scientists-identify-how-to-cause-stem-cells-to-die-or-regenerate/
[35] Regeneration - National Institute of General Medical Sciences https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/regeneration.aspx
[36] Perspectives in Psychology | GCU Blog https://www.gcu.edu/blog/psychology-counseling/perspectives-psychology
[37] The Mind That Knows Itself - Lion's Roar https://www.lionsroar.com/the-mind-that-knows-itself/
[38] The 7 Perspectives in Modern Psychology | Private Therapy Clinic https://theprivatetherapyclinic.co.uk/blog/the-7-perspectives-in-modern-psychology/
[39] Sense of Self: A Deeper Insight from Neuroscience and Buddhism https://www.mindandlife.org/insight/the-nature-of-self/
[40] Psychological Perspectives | Definition, Categories & Examples https://study.com/academy/lesson/comparing-psychological-perspectives.html
[41] Mind in Indian Buddhist Philosophy https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mind-indian-buddhism/
[42] 4.2C: Psychological Approaches to the Self - Social Sci LibreTexts https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Sociology/Introduction_to_Sociology/Sociology_(Boundless)/04:_The_Role_of_Socialization/4.02:_The_Self_and_Socialization/4.2C:_Psychological_Approaches_to_the_Self
[43] [PDF] Psychological Perspective of the Self - WordPress.com https://xoler.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/psychological-perspective-of-the-self.pdf
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