According to neuroscience, even before events happen the brain has already made a prediction abut what is most likely to happen, and sets in motion the perception, behaviors, emotions, physiologic responses and interpersonal ways of relating that best fit with what is predicted. In a sense, we learn from the past what to predict for the future and then live the future we expect.

- Regina Pally, The Predictive Brain

I find this quote by neuro-scientist Regina Pally to be profound. Our brain is amazing at predicting. Here is a paragraph from my book LESS addressing the subject of predictions and assumptions:

“We are always making predictions and assumptions. In fact, we are generally brilliant assumption makers. When walking down stairs, we trust the next steps will be there. When driving a car, we make hundreds of assumptions regarding the functioning of our car and the behavior of other drivers. If we’re reading and letters are missing from a word, we can effortlessly fill in the missing letters. We can look at a person’s face and, usually with accuracy, assess their emotional state. To function in everyday life, we are required to make tons of assumptions about the causes of events and what will happen next. But predictions and assumptions are often wrong. And when things go wrong, and conflicts ensue, the fastest and most effective solution is often to identify and let go of any false assumptions.”

This, of course, is not so easy. These predictions and assumptions reside within our bodies; often it seems as though literally within the cells of our bodies. When I hear people say “people don’t change”; I understand why this seems to be the case – changing both the what and the way we predict is difficult.

I think of this as one of the great strengths of mindfulness and meditation practice – by slowing down our worlds, we can begin to get a glimpse of our predictions and assumptions.