#34 - Neuroplasticity & The Lightning Process (with Dr. Phil Parker)

In this episode of Drop the Weight, we are joined by the wonderful Dr. Phil Parker to discuss everything from his ground-breaking “Lightning Process;” to neuroplasticity; to philosophical life lessons from the musical genius of Miles Davis; to Phil’s own so-called “Swiss Army Knife” for disentangling the human mind. 

 

Throughout the podcast, Phil describes how in his own hero’s journey: as a young man and aspiring musician he nearly completely severed his hand; how against the odds, he recovered from that nerve-slicing experience (despite the advice of almost all available doctors); and went on to develop his own “Lightning Process” and play music with Eric Clapton in the process.

 

We also learn how Phil applies the power and pitfalls of identity thinking to the issues of addiction and alcoholism to unlock the hidden wisdoms inside so-called 12 Step Programs.

 

With his scientific fascination with language, his deeply held beliefs about the transformative nature of the human mind, and his charming love of music, Phil’s visit to the podcast was one of the most memorable to date. It is a pleasure to share that conversation with you here.

 

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SHOW NOTES

 

Introduction [ 00:00 ]

The solar eclipse as a catalyst [ 02:15 ]

About the Lightning Process - "Our bodies are not built for the 21st century.” [ 03:20 ]

Neuroplasticity—the brain’s neural pathways’ ability to change based on use—is always on. [ 04:50 ] 

Our inner dialogue is often awful! [ 07:55 ]   

OPERATIVE QUESTION: Is what I am doing right now life-enhancing? [ 09:00 ]

Words affect our physiology [ 13:25 ]

Phil’s Origin Story: how he (almost) severed his hand and what he learned from the experience of healing after almost losing the use of it completely. [ 15:15 ]

Focus on the small, incremental changes that show us we are headed in the right direction; change as a “digital, binary phenomenon” that is either on or off [ 21:15 ]

The most powerful person (source of change) in your life is YOU [ 23:10 ]

“I just want to be relaxed!!!” & developing the skill of being calm through practice [ 25:00 ]

Not “I am stressed out” but “I am doing stress about this now” [ 30:45 ]

Alcoholism & the 12 Steps [ 35:10 ]  

“Being Sane in Insane Places” [ 37:35 ]

“I am an addict” is an identity statement. If you accept that, then you are always in recovery. [ 38:10 ]

Worries in America about combat addict veterans returning home from Vietnam [ 39:50 ] 

People with addictions who stopped being addicted after leaving the context of the war zone [ 40:40 ]

The opposite of latin or trigonometry, “a Swiss army knife for the brain” [ 42:15 ]

Recent Phil Parker book of note: The Coach That’s Always There; & Upcoming Novel: The Wolf and the Rain Drop [ 44:08 ]

The case of Layla & Assorted Love Songs: when not on tour, Eric Clapton hardly plays the guitar [ 45:25 ]

Mile Davis Quote: “It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note, it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.” [ 46:40 ]

Be curious: in life too, often when you make a mistake is when it gets interesting [ 47:40 ]

 

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