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Diary #3 - The Magic of Metacognition

Being someone who's usually caught up in my thoughts, I’m finding the ability to ‘step-back’ from autopilot really useful.


Earlier I found myself verging on a family argument about Fortnite.  Luckily I was detached, watching my thoughts and emotions play out as if on a cinema screen.  Whilst experiencing the situation I was able to assess it, run a variety of scenarios and decide on constructive action all within a split second.

 

I struggle to describe this ‘stepping-back’ – metacognitive awareness - in words.  The concept is experiential, like for example being drunk or falling in love. Once it has happened, I know.

 

There is a simple meditation exercise that can cultivate it, which I’ll talk about in the next blog.

 

Author: JD