Beyond Thought
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”- Socrates
When we compare what is known to what is unknown it becomes clear that Socrates was right. The known is finite and the unknown is infinite. It also becomes obvious that we are confronted with this same truism, ‘we know nothing’.
However, there is a wisdom that may be even greater than knowing you know nothing. This idea would propose that knowing yourself better might be more salient than mere knowing. The term metacognition encapsulates this possibility.
Metacognition
Meta as a prefix means beyond or high level. Cognition is the mental engagement of thought utilised to understand, gain knowledge, or learn from experiences.
Metacognition goes beyond thought to explore, examine and ascertain, what, how, and why I am having these specific thoughts. Metacognition goes beyond ‘what I am thinking’, to an improved comprehension of who I am as a thinker. What motivates my direction of thoughts and am I aware of this or oblivious to it? Metacognition is the self-informed realisation of thinking about my own thinking processes. And more importantly, what will I do with that realisation?
Socrates’ quote illustrates that he was into metacognition. He knew that he did not know. Socrates also said, “Know Thyself”. Why is metacognition so valuable? What are some of the advantages to knowing oneself better?
What I Am Thinking
What I think about is a window to my unconscious. Unconscious brain activity precedes conscious brain activity by several seconds (1). What I am thinking has been triggered by something I was initially not even aware of before my conscious thought kicked in. This means my unknown thoughts arrive before my known thoughts. Perhaps the unconscious mind is in possession of thoughts we need to know even if we don’t want to know them. Trauma certainly lives in this unconscious thought domain. However, there would also be some valuable positive thoughts in the recesses of our unconscious mind as well.
My conscious thought processes are embedded in my unconscious mind, which knows more than my conscious mind. Being aware of these unconscious triggers could be a window to new metacognitions about my past and how that past is still relevant to the present.
This awareness does not have to be about just one’s traumatic experiences but might also include valuable memories of past positive experiences or successes, which could then be implemented into one’s present experience.
How I Am Thinking
Knowing how I am thinking is critical. When I discover myself thinking negative thoughts it may explain my mood, my motivation and eventually my behaviour. To know these negative thoughts are counterproductive is not enough. I will have to change how I am thinking to impact my behaviour in a different direction. This realignment of how I think gives me a new freedom to act and feel more positively.
Being captive to dysfunctional thinking will keep someone in a dysfunctional cycle. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is all about changing how we are thinking to alter inappropriate or unwanted behaviour.
Why I Am thinking
The ‘why’ questions are always the most difficult but may be the most salient.
When we know why we are thinking something we can discover some of the root causes of our thoughts. There will be a deeper understanding of what is creating these particular thoughts.
In fearful thinking we may discover why we feel unsafe. In anxious thoughts we may discover why we are feeling on edge. Whatever we discover in ‘why thinking’, it will probably not be superficial but rather significant to where we are struggling or not cognitively.
‘Why thinking’ also elevates the potential to solve complex problems or issues that we may be struggling with. The underlying issues in the complexity of life are usually solved only when we determine ‘why’ we are stuck.
New ideas are often initiated through ‘why thinking’. Research and innovation both ask the ‘why’ questions and this will lead to new realisations in the future.
Asking the ‘why’ questions can also lead to a better understanding of others. When we understand why we are thinking a certain way, this leads to a better understanding of others. It may even increase our empathy toward others.
“Think of Mindfulness as an innate superpower. It’s like having metacognition, which means you have a heightened awareness of what you’re thinking in the moment, as well as a heightened awareness of your understanding of what you’re thinking, and why.” - Ora Nadrich,
Implications
Metacognition is “thinking about thinking” and more. The ‘more’ includes how we regulate the way we think, which increases our ability to determine our actions and behaviours. Metacognition goes beyond just thinking to an awareness of how to alter our thinking. We transition from just our thoughts to monitoring and adjusting our thoughts.
We appear to be at a time in history when this ability to elevate our thinking to a metacognitive level is vital. We will ultimately evolve into another uniquely diverse status-quo. This current point in time is only temporary.
The metacognitive experience, your internal response to learning, clarifies feelings and emotions that act as a feedback system. This feedback helps one understand personal progress and reasonable self-expectations. It also creates a more exact comprehension and connection of new information to the old.
Metacognition is at the core of successful problem solving and situational strategy formulation. It assists transitional changes in thinking that can redefine the elements of how we think, what we think and why we think the thoughts we do. Metacognition is beyond thought.
Reference
1-Gilbert, L. (2019). Our brains reveal our choices before we’re even aware of them: study. UNSW, Sydney, 06-03-2019.
Counselling with a client-centred focus
Our experienced psychologists work on an individual need’s basis, creating a safe, relaxed and welcoming space, where you can feel free to be yourself. To book your in-person session, please reach out to our friendly team today.
Contact Us
