Thought Trap: An Approach to 'Being Here'

This book explores the profound impact of human thought and belief systems on our perceptions, behaviors, and the global state of disorder. At its core, it critiques how humans "mis-think," arguing that our fragmented, belief-driven thought processes prevent us from perceiving reality as it truly is. Drawing from philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology, the text identifies six key misconceptions, including our beliefs in linear time, individuality, and self-improvement, as barriers to achieving clarity and authentic presence.

The author emphasizes the need for a radical shift in how humans think, advocating for a state of "being here and now as a dynamic state" rather than striving for a future ideal or clinging to past experiences. The work challenges readers to question their assumptions, confront the biases shaped by culture and memory, and embrace a coherent and adaptive system of thought.

Rich with insights into the nature of perception, the influence of thought on reality, and the limitations of belief, the document is a thought-provoking call to action. It invites readers to move beyond their conditioned reflexes and awaken their potential by embracing clarity, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of existence.

"The Thought Trap" emerged from the circumstances surrounding the murder of the author's sister by a sexual predator, forcing his family to confront the darkest side of human motives. The search for her body, her killer, and the courtroom trial that followed led him to study the cognitive sciences, where he learned about cognitive behavioral therapy and other approaches to coping with mental and emotional anguish. While helpful, they were unsatisfying, but inspired his further research into the behavioral sciences, philosophy, and psychology. The Covid-19 pandemic provided him with space to write "The Thought Trap" in the hopes that it might help other people in their search for a balanced state of living. Peace Corps service in Nepal, and a career in global food security, particularly at USAID, underscores the author's concern for human welfare.