The Secretary Series: The Behavioral Level (Patterns and Repetitions)
Download MP3This episode focuses on how the Secretary function allows us to analyze our own behavior by identifying the repeating patterns and historical context within our personal records.
High-Value Quotables
[00:22] "When we're recording honestly, we can start to look across the things we have learned or the experiences we've had and articulate patterns and repetitions."
[01:39] "The memories that you have, regardless of how much you've tried to cultivate them in a open and honest way or in a factual way, are always going to be, uh, imperfect. They are recorded by a mind, the mind of the time."
[02:26] "The emotional content that accompanies those memories that you recorded when you were a child... very likely is something that, uh, sort of no longer meaningfully applies."
[05:00] "You begin the process of being able to create useful data for future versions of you that need this kind of support."
The Core Concept: Analyzing the "Mind of the Time"
Behaviorally, the Secretary provides the data necessary to recognize recurring patterns in our lives. It requires us to understand that our memories are "imperfect" because they were encoded by the "mind of the time"—often a younger, less experienced version of ourselves. By stripping away old emotional content and rationalizations, we can reprocess these memories into useful data for our future selves.
Key Takeaways:
- Identifying Repetitions: Honest recording is the first step toward analyzing behaviors and articulating where you are repeating the same lessons.
- The Child Secretary: Recognizing that a memory from childhood was encoded with the limited capacity and insights of a child, meaning the associated emotional "sting" may no longer be relevant.
- Stripping the Narrative: To solve a current problem, work backwards to strip off unnecessary ego perspectives and rationalizations.
- Useful Data for the Future: By separating "what happened" from "what I felt," you create a reliable database for future decision-making.
Reflection Question:
If you looked at your life's "minutes" today, what behavioral patterns would you see repeating over the last five years?
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Creators and Guests
Host
Brian Mattocks
Host and Founder of A Mason's Work - a podcast designed to help you use symbolism to grow. He's been working in the craft for over a decade and served as WM, trustee, and sat in every appointed chair in a lodge - at least once :D
