Brain Hack: How Our Reward System Creates Illusion
Vedanta and Neuroscience: Consciousness beyond dopamine
Brain Hack: How Our Reward System Creates Illusion — AI Image by Author (Bing)
Dear friends, today I am excited to delve into a captivating tale about our brain and the ease with which we tend to mistake illusions for reality. A story that exposes one of the physical archetypes of our innate propensity to experience appearances as if they were pure truth. Get ready, for what I am about to reveal may challenge your most deeply held convictions!
Nucleus accumbens
The protagonist of this story is a tiny structure within our brain known as the nucleus accumbens. While its name may sound complex, it serves a straightforward purpose: it acts as the “reward centre” of our brain. Its primary function is to release a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which makes us feel content and fulfilled whenever we partake in enjoyable activities or receive rewards.
This mechanism has been crucial for our survival throughout evolution. However, the nucleus accumbens does not differentiate between actual events and fabricated ones. Whether you are savouring a delectable meal, winning a race, watching an enthralling movie, or even just imagining a gratifying situation, the nucleus accumbens and activates indiscriminately, releasing its dopamine.
The nucleus accumbens shows a physical example of our natural tendency to think an illusion is reality. Basically, we’re born with this mechanism ready to make us feel gratified, rewarded, and identified with anything, whether it’s real or not.
Maya
The Vedantins call this illusion “maya”, and they say it’s what makes us think our true Self is limited to the mind and body. In reality, our ultimate nature is the eternal, pure, and unlimited Consciousness called Brahman. But because we don’t know this truth (which they call “avidya”), we experience this temporary, changing reality as if it’s all there is.
But how can we break free from this illusion? The wise Vedantic sages teach three key practices. The first is listening carefully to and deeply studying the ancient sacred Vedic and Upanishadic texts.
The second practice is to reflect intensely and for a long time on the ultimate concepts and truths learned from studying those texts, cleansing the mind of its conditioned illusions.
Mahavakyas
The third and final practice is focused meditation on the Mahavakyas, which are the great “Supreme Statements” contained in the Upanishads. Some examples are “I am That”, “Consciousness is Brahman”, “This Self is Brahman”, “That Thou Art”, and “I am Brahman”.
These statements of absolute truth must be constantly thought about and understood through the practice of meditation, allowing our consciousness to become one with the ultimate Reality they point to.
Once that happens, we will no longer try to feel gratified by chasing temporary pleasures, but by becoming completely absorbed in the eternal blissful state of the Self. We will realize that reality has actually always been here, behind the illusion of thinking we are a separate self. As the Vedantins say, “I am All that is.” The limited rewards of the world of experiences and appearances will lose their grip on us.
True Self
From this viewpoint, our true Self or atman is beyond the awake, dreaming, and deep sleep states that we cycle through every day. Those are just illusions, while the ultimate reality is the “fourth” state of pure awareness that fills and witnesses the other three states while never changing. This state is called liberation — the realization that we are that infinite Consciousness, not trapped in the cycle of rebirth anymore.
From this perspective, the “me” that keeps changing and going through temporary states is not actually the true Self. We are that formless Consciousness watching over the mind and body. Brain structures like the nucleus accumbens belong to the illusory domain of the non-self. Only by realizing that pure awareness can we fully understand the deception present in every experience, and the reality that is eternally present beyond any veil.
Fascinating, isn’t it? Let’s take a nice deep breath together. Are we limited beings trapped in a show of illusions, or are we the very infinite Consciousness unveiling itself moment by moment? The choice is ours, dear friends!
How did this impact my daily life?
This realization was not an instant revelation, but the start of a journey of constant reflection and awareness. Am I saying I’ve become the new Gandhi or reached perfect enlightenment while checking out at the grocery store buying whole wheat crackers? I just proceed on my path. It is a gradual process of self-knowledge. What I can say is that now I am much more vigilant and mindful of not getting too caught up in fleeting gratifications.
When the nucleus accumbens activates for some transient pleasure, I recognize that mechanism for what it is — an illusion of temporary satisfaction. Instead, I try to anchor myself in the present moment, breathe deeply, and remember who I truly am — not this restless mind, but the silent awareness observing it. It’s not always easy, but little by little I am learning to not identify with passing experiences and to rest in a more stable state of presence and consciousness. It is a never-ending journey, but it is worth it.
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