Amygdala Hijack: Activating the Mind Through Islamic Study
Practical, Practice-Centered Approaches Using Qur’an, Hadith, and Key Texts The amygdala governs immediate emotional reactions, which can overshadow reason and ethical clarity. Emotional hijack often comes from lack of mental training, not weakness of will. To counter it, we must activate and feed the mind , cultivating Thinking (T) and Intuition (N) through structured Islamic practices. Islamic Practices That Nourish the Intellect: Reading Qur’an with Tafsir: Begin with Surah Yasin and other selected passages. Engage with meaning, context, and ethical implications. Studying Classical Texts: Nahjul Balagha, Nahjul Fasaha, Sahifa al-Sajjadiya, and Risalat al-Huquq — focusing on reasoning, argumentation, and spiritual insight. Writing Notes and Commentary: Summarize insights, reflect on ethical and logical connections, and connect ideas across texts. Artistic Calligraphy or Diagramming: Drawing the names of Allah or key verses strengthens memory, focus, and abstract reaso...