Deep Wellbeing

Deep Wellbeing

Deep wellbeing is a form of wellbeing that is independent of external circumstance.

It involves the reduction, or even the cessation of judgemental thinking, anxiety and much more. It can strongly alleviate worries around our mortality.

But what is it?

Let’s start from the perspective of the brain. Modern neuroscience has been clarifying how the brain works. It turns out that it is actually an immensely clever prediction engine. The brain takes in inputs from the environment, via the senses, then engages in this incredible task of clarifying what it is actually seeing. It converts colours and sounds into chairs, cups, people.

Prediction Error

But these are just “predictions” - what the brain thinks could be there. Like when you see a friend from a distance, and when you get close you realise it isn’t them. This was what neuroscientists call “prediction error”. Once the brain noticed prediction error, it swiftly makes and adjustment prediction. Once it finds a prediction that does not create an error, it stops - it assumes that this is what is there in front of us.

When it comes to objects around us, this is generally fair enough. However, when it comes to the question of “who am I?” or “what am I doing here?” it starts to get problematic. We make predictions about who I am, without there being clear opportunities for “prediction error” to adjust them. Or, if prediction error does occur, the brain attributes the error to a person we are seeing, not to an incorrect idea of who we are.

Deep wellbeing arises when these assumptions are questioned, and seen for what they are. This triggers a shift, as our being adjusts to this new way of seeing things.

This is where the Odoki Method, along with similar approaches, help us reach Deep Wellbeing: they help us prepare, then to look.