--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This has been the point of much of this…" description: "\"“This has been the point of much of this book. The human brain is a machine designed by natural selection to respond in pretty reflexive fashion to the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/robert-wright-8640_books_this-has-been-the-point-of-much-of-this_1220836.png" --- # This has been the point of much of this book. The human… ![“This has been the point of much of this book. The human brain is a machine designed by natural selection to respond in pretty reflexive fashion to the sensory input impinging on it. It is designed, in a certain sense, to be controlled by that input. And a key cog in the machinery of control is the…” quote by Robert Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/robert-wright-8640_books_this-has-been-the-point-of-much-of-this_1220836.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/robert-wright-8640_books_this-has-been-the-point-of-much-of-this_1220836.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/robert-wright-8640_books_this-has-been-the-point-of-much-of-this_1220836.png) > ““This has been the point of much of this book. The human brain is a machine designed by natural selection to respond in pretty reflexive fashion to the sensory input impinging on it. It is designed, in a certain sense, to be controlled by that input. And a key cog in the machinery of control is the feelings that arise in response to the input. If you interact with those feelings via tanha—via the natural, reflexive thirst for the pleasant feelings and the natural, reflexive aversion to the unpleasant feelings—you will continue to be controlled by the world around you. But if you observe those feelings mindfully rather than just reacting to them, you can in some measure escape the control; the causes that ordinarily shape your behavior can be defied, and you can get closer to the unconditioned.”” [Robert Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The brain reacts reflexively to sensory input, driven by feelings; mindful awareness can reduce this control, allowing freer response. **In simple terms:** Mindful awareness lessens reflexive feeling-driven control. Key Takeaway Practice mindfulness to gain freedom. Themes mindfulness psychology freewill Mood calm introspective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - meditation - therapy - stressful situations Key Concepts reflexive conditioning emotional regulation neuroscience Questions to Reflect On - What feelings dominate your reactions? - How can you observe without reacting? A Different Perspective Mindfulness alone may not overcome deep habitual patterns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Human brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-brain/) [Natural selection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-selection/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [Do not to let your feelings (very natural and usual ones) of momentary irritation and discomfort be seen by others don't (as you so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-victoria/do-not-to-let-your-feelings-very-natural-and-usual-ones-of-momentary/) [Queen Victoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-victoria/) > [How can we stop our feelings? It's only Natural Love comes in different ways same too in Hurt! 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If you interact with those feelings via tanha—via the natural, reflexive thirst for the pleasant feelings and the natural, reflexive aversion to the unpleasant feelings—you will continue to be controlled by the world around you. 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