One of the most challenging steps in the critical thinking process is the ability to self regulate our behavior. Using strong interpretation and evaluation, checking our biases and thinking processes we are left to apply the resulting conclusions to our lives. Often we are restricted in creating effective decisions due to a charged emotional state.

Every time we lose control of a situation or something unwanted happens in our lives we generate stress-the resulting tension can manifest as anger, hatred, fear and animosity. These stresses make it difficult to act as a disinterested observer. How can we find the truth in a situation if we are blinded by emotion? Often students will not be aware of their emotions when decision making.

 

I have been introducing meditation practice to my students as a tool to help regulate their emotions and give them better success at using and applying critical thinking.

An effective way of help students self regulate is the regular practice of meditation. Beginning practice introduces students to the simple practice of focusing attention on the breath. Students are encouraged to sit on the floor with eyes closed and concentrate on the breath moving through the nostrils. Sessions start with 5-10 minutes and can build to 1/2 hour. When done regularly students can learn to recognize a state of calmness. Focused breathing techniques can be used from the board room to the interview room. This practice of focusing our attention on our breath takes concentration and dedication- two useful disciplines that are beneficial in using the critical thinking model.

Understanding why you think the way you do enables us to understand our critical decision making. Many of the great philosophers of the past have said “Know thyself” or “To thy self be true”

An effective way to discover the truth about yourself is to begin by referencing within the framework of our body- we can start to recognize our emotions and mental state through the observation of the breath. This physical observation is tangible. The quieting of the sympathetic nervous system brings calmness to our minds enabling stronger objectivity.

Our mind is constantly wandering from one thought to another. It is difficult to stay focused on the breath or any single object of attention. Our brain is capable of incredible feats of computation. Forcing it to remain concentrated on a single object is a challenging endeavor- one that cannot be taken lightly. The mind easily wanders into the past or future and does not want to stay in the present. Remembering the past and giving thought to the future is important but only to the extent that they help you deal with the present. Whatever is past is gone beyond recall and whatever is future remains beyond your reach until it becomes present.

Staying focused on the now- through concentration on the breath, eases the minds agitation. Even a few focused breaths can greatly calm our emotional state and help us make more intellectually mature, thoughtful decisions

Understanding and exploring your inner reality and changing mental habit patterns are difficult tasks. We jump from thought to thought without any sequence- a habit that has been developed over a lifetime. To help us use our critical thinking skills efficiently we need to develop a state of mind as free from our biased thoughts as possible. Recognizing our emotions, acting without prejudice and paying attention to our thinking will lead us towards effectiveness and assist us to achieve our desired results.