PEEING YOUR PANTS
the cerebral cortex operates almost entirely through inhibition. interesting to note, that most of what we consider to be the higher functions in terms of executive planning or control over otherwise automatic functions is achieved by telling other parts of the brain "no". this is the reason why hanged men lose control of their bladders...they are "de-corticate" and thus the so-called "primal" neural pathways are released from the tonic inhibition imposed by the cortex (they often get erections or even ejaculate)
most children learn to say no before they can say yes. the ego is built out of the bricks of no's and the mortar of compromise between the release of desire and the need to suppress or at the very least, re-direct it.
enter an area where the more skilled among triathletes have occasion to reach a higher level of neural development than most ever need. by this i mean the ability to release one of the earliest and most profoundly ingrained of acquired no's that the brain develops. the don't piss yourself rule, but to do it consciously, in a corticate manner.
think of the cognitive work it takes to overcome the neural programming which tells us that it is not good to pee in our pants. learning to urinate, while controlling a bicycle at 40 kph, is a supremely complicated endeavour. one must overcome deep emotions such as shame, memories of wet training diapers, etc. and, also, to "choose" consciously to do the taboo. all of this requires a type of meta-activity, or a supra level of programming that few ever need to call upon.
recently, i earned a podium spot at a half iron distance race, by 13 seconds. on the bike some hours earlier, i peed myself while coasting down a hill. by all calculations, if i had stopped to urinate road-side, not only would this have been illegal, but it would have taken at least 60-90 seconds, total, especially once you account for deceleration and acceleration back to cruising speed and time lost.
so, it is clear to me that pissing myself made all the difference at the end of the day. it is why i have a shiny number 3 medal to put on my wall. more than worth it if you ask me. and, besides that, i have the benefit of having mastery over over my lower functions in a taboo-breaking way that makes me almost analagous to a zen master who can make his blood flow backwards, or his blood pressure change..
ok, maybe i am getting carried away there at the end. a teacher once told me that i don't know the difference between the brilliant and the banal. life has taught me how mis-guided he was. there is no difference....
most children learn to say no before they can say yes. the ego is built out of the bricks of no's and the mortar of compromise between the release of desire and the need to suppress or at the very least, re-direct it.
enter an area where the more skilled among triathletes have occasion to reach a higher level of neural development than most ever need. by this i mean the ability to release one of the earliest and most profoundly ingrained of acquired no's that the brain develops. the don't piss yourself rule, but to do it consciously, in a corticate manner.
think of the cognitive work it takes to overcome the neural programming which tells us that it is not good to pee in our pants. learning to urinate, while controlling a bicycle at 40 kph, is a supremely complicated endeavour. one must overcome deep emotions such as shame, memories of wet training diapers, etc. and, also, to "choose" consciously to do the taboo. all of this requires a type of meta-activity, or a supra level of programming that few ever need to call upon.
recently, i earned a podium spot at a half iron distance race, by 13 seconds. on the bike some hours earlier, i peed myself while coasting down a hill. by all calculations, if i had stopped to urinate road-side, not only would this have been illegal, but it would have taken at least 60-90 seconds, total, especially once you account for deceleration and acceleration back to cruising speed and time lost.
so, it is clear to me that pissing myself made all the difference at the end of the day. it is why i have a shiny number 3 medal to put on my wall. more than worth it if you ask me. and, besides that, i have the benefit of having mastery over over my lower functions in a taboo-breaking way that makes me almost analagous to a zen master who can make his blood flow backwards, or his blood pressure change..
ok, maybe i am getting carried away there at the end. a teacher once told me that i don't know the difference between the brilliant and the banal. life has taught me how mis-guided he was. there is no difference....
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