Six things happen as information flows through the brain:
1) Links. Memories are stored as links between neurons. The links store associations between sensations occurring at the same time. The links are formed automatically – “neurons that fire together, wire together.”
2) Bundling. As links are formed, information is tied together. Using written language as an example, lines are bundled to form letters, letters are bundled to form words, words are bundled to represent ideas. Your thoughts and feelings on global warming or same-sex marriage or abortion or gun control are your thoughts and feelings. Your thoughts and feelings about an issue, a person, an idea or an object are a bundle of your experiences. Everybody has their own bundles. How you bundle experiences determines your focus, your perceptions, your judgements, your emotions, your actions and your habits.
3) Comparisons. Comparisons are automatically made between memories and comparisons are automatically made between memories and perception (perception is current information from the senses augmented and filtered by existing links). The comparisons trigger emotions, which are the sensations caused by hormone release.
4) Filtering. Memories and emotions filter information as it passes through the brain. Existing links between neurons determine information pathways. The release of hormones from comparisons effects the distribution of the fuel powering the links in the brain. Fuel distribution determines which signals get amplified and which signals get lost in the noise.
5) Representations. Sensory inputs are combined with memories to form representations of what’s going on inside and outside of the body.
6) Coordination. Links between cues and actions coordinate movement. Cues go far beyond the five traditional senses and can be extremely precise.
All six actions are automatic and subconscious. All six actions are driven by the structure and chemistry of the nervous system. The brain doesn’t “do” any of these actions, the actions happen as information flows through the brain. Conscious effort applied to growing new links (i.e. learning) will influence how new memories are formed and used. Memories shape thoughts, perceptions, emotions and actions. Your memories are your life.