Can someone explain how being lost in thought can disable what you hear or see or sometimes enhance it?

Asked by Pandora (32398

) September 22nd, 2012

Yesterday I was sitting in an office and I had several things on my mind. The receptionist said something but at first I wasn’t sure it was directed to me. Then when I did, I was still tuning her out. I know she was saying something but I only caught the tail end of it and this was after I had asked her to say it again. It was as if I needed to hit a switch to actually listen and understand.
Thinking back the same can happen in reverse. Someone can be speaking and I am able to understand what they are saying and I’m fully aware of everything while still processing other thoughts.
So I’m hoping someone can help me understand why this happens or even if that is how everyone brain works or just mine. Thanks.

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1 Answer

We have multiple minds in our heads. Sometimes one is more ascendant than the others, and sometimes one mind can be so ascendant, that you can’t even process any input from your senses. You have multiple minds within you, and they don’t always agree. So sometimes when you find you can’t make up your mind, it’s because your minds have a fairly even split on what to do.

Other times, you are focused on one thing, and your focus is so strong, you can’t hear or even see anything other than what you are focused on. It’s pretty common. Most people would kill to be able to focus that well, because a lot of people feel scatter-brained. That’s where their many minds compete for attention and no one mind can take over the brain’s resources.

wundayatta (58741

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