Abstract for: Mental Models in a Sea of Sensations: Extending the Iceberg Model Below Paradigms Through a System-level Representation of Behavioural Dynamics

The global community is experiencing multiple crises simultaneously. The discrepancy between communicated thoughts and beliefs, as well as people's behavior, remains a significant challenge when considering resistance to sustainability-oriented behavioral change. Scientists are clear that 'maladaptive behavior' produces 'the human behavioral crisis' and that it must be recognized as a critical intervention point. This paper explores a new perspective to address the human behavioral crisis. In systems thinking paradigms and mental models are the most efficient points for interventions. Cayoun et al.'s fundamental contribution to the field of neurophenomenology of behavior offers a new perspective to identify the next ‘turtle in line all the way down'. This paper presents a systems-thinking interpretation of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MiCBT), which is based on the co-emergence model, and outlines insights into approaching mental models, sustainable development, and education. The co-emergence model with interventions suggested by MiCBT emphasizes a leverage point below paradigms, at the level of co-emergent experience in the form of sensations: all mental models emerge from a Mental Operating System (MOS) a behavioral algorithm that computes self-referential processes which result either in craving or aversion with high reactivity or in considered responses with low reactivity (or equanimity). There is a clear, evidence-based path for reaching the highest leverage point: practicing non-judgment and non-reactivity (equanimity) while observing breath, thoughts and sensations. Equanimity is the basis for transcending mental models and leads to considered responses for designing interventions. Interventions targeting sustainable development could greatly benefit from equanimity-based responses for designing interventions. Mindfulness training should be integrated in schools to enable future generations to do better than current generations. Perplexity AI, Consensus and Deepl were used to assist with literature research, refining the wording