Continuing the Conversation of the Neurobiology of Me & Changing Ourselves

Excerpts & Explanations from Dr. Seigel & Dr. Dispenza's Book

What is new this week?

We go a little deeper into how memory can become a habit and how these habits of thinking, reacting, etc., create our external experience. The great thing about this is that habits can be changed 😄. So, I hope to take you through these posts to a place where there is a great deal of clarity about the power we have to manifest the life we want.

It is a practice; it is a discipline. It is not about creating vision boards & repeating affirmations. It is about a fundamental restructuring of our personalities. This comes about by becoming more & more aware of our habit of thought. As we gain an understanding of how our mind & body interact, self-awareness increases & our ability to change increases with it. Next week, I will connect this to the building our businesses. Feel free to respond to this & tell me how you feel.

A call came in, and my video was interrupted, but I will get into the connection between 10x being Easier than 2x and Dr. Dispenza and Dr. Seigel next week.

Newsletter: Exploring the Power of Memories, Trauma, and Change

Introduction: A Journey of Discovery

Hello everyone,
I’m excited to share some insights I’ve been learning recently about the connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. My exploration started with Dr. Daniel Siegel’s work on neurobiology and its impact on our relationships, and it has led to a fascinating journey through the intersections of memory, trauma, and personal transformation.

Understanding Implicit and Explicit Memory

In his book The Neurobiology of We, Dr. Siegel explains how our early childhood development profoundly affects how we relate to others. A key concept in his work is the distinction between implicit and explicit memories and how they shape our sense of self.

  • Implicit Memory: This type of memory is formed before the hippocampus fully develops, which occurs roughly by the age of 18 months. During this period, our memories do not have a time stamp, and they are stored in a way that simply “is.” This is why early childhood memories can feel more like truths or beliefs rather than distinct recollections.

  • Explicit Memory: As the hippocampus matures, typically between 18 months and 4-5 years, we begin to form explicit autobiographical memories, which are time-stamped and connected to specific events. This helps us make sense of our experiences.

Childhood Amnesia and Trauma

Dr. Siegel also discusses childhood amnesia, a common phenomenon where individuals cannot remember events from their early years (usually before age 7). This is often a normal process, but it can be disrupted in cases of trauma.

  • Trauma and the Hippocampus: For individuals who experience trauma, the hippocampus may either become inactive due to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline or shut down during dissociation. For example, in a traumatic event like sexual assault, a person may mentally dissociate by focusing on something unrelated, like a flower, effectively blocking the traumatic event from conscious memory. This results in implicit memory, which can resurface later as a triggering sensation or feeling.

  • The Role of Trauma in Memory Processing: This unprocessed implicit memory can cause intense reactions in the future, even if the person doesn't consciously recall the traumatic event. A seemingly innocent stimulus, like the sight of a flower, may trigger a strong emotional response.

Healing Through EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

One powerful approach to resolving these unprocessed memories is EFT, which helps individuals bring trauma into conscious awareness, process it, and reduce its emotional impact. Dr. Siegel emphasizes the importance of creating a narrative around the traumatic event and identifying the physical sensations tied to it. By using gentle techniques like EFT, we can help people revisit these events in a way that removes their trigger power, allowing them to manage emotional responses in healthier ways.

The Habit of Being Yourself: Breaking Free from Past Patterns

Another compelling book I’m diving into is Getting Over the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza. Dr. Dispenza explores how our memories form neurological pathways in our brains, which influence our daily behaviors, relationships, and experiences. He argues that we become trapped in repetitive patterns of thought and behavior because we are simply reacting to our past experiences.

  • Neurons That Fire Together, Wire Together: The more we repeat behaviors and thoughts, the more ingrained these pathways become. This is why we often find ourselves recreating the same experiences and reactions in relationships, whether with our spouse, children, or coworkers.

  • Creating Change: To break free from these patterns, we must rewrite our memories and physiological reactions. Dr. Dispenza explains that by recognizing our habitual reactions and consciously choosing new responses, we can begin to manifest a different life—one that is no longer shaped by the past.

The Brain’s Role in Shaping Our Reality

Dr. Dispenza also explains that our brain is essentially a complete record of our past, and because our thoughts are a product of this history, we continuously create a reality that mirrors the past. This can be limiting, as we tend to respond with the same brain circuits that reflect everything we already know. This can create fear of stepping into unfamiliar spaces, especially when facing success or significant change.

Personal Reflection: Confronting the Unknown

On a personal note, I want to share a story from my own life. At 19, I lost my mother in a plane crash, which came shortly after my family’s financial circumstances had dramatically improved. Despite these newfound successes, I was struggling with my own emotional challenges, particularly concerning my family dynamics. My mother once told me that she knew how to handle financial hardship, but she did not know how to deal with the new stressors that came with success. Tragically, she passed away shortly after. This experience has always stuck with me, showing me how powerful the mind’s connection to the past can be. It also demonstrates why we are so often afraid of making the changes we need to succeed. I have a FREE Masterclass on March 8th called ‘ Activate your Success Triggers’. Click here to register.

Integrating Insights from Various Sources

I’m also reading a fascinating business book called 10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Kennedy. Interestingly, this book, like Dr. Siegel’s work on interpersonal relationships and Dr. Dispenza’s work on self-transformation, shares a common theme: the power of change. Whether in our relationships or our professional lives, creating meaningful shifts in our lives requires us to confront and rewrite our memories and experiences.

Conclusion: Embracing Change and Transformation

As I continue to learn and reflect on these interconnected ideas, I am increasingly fascinated by the role of memories and neural pathways in shaping our reality. Whether you’re dealing with past trauma, seeking personal growth, or aiming to break free from old habits, tools like EFT and meditation can help you reprogram your brain and create the life you desire. I look forward to diving deeper into these topics next week.

Until then,
Dr. Sree

Stay Connected:
If you have any questions or want to learn more, please contact us or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and insights on memory, trauma, and transformation.

Click here to book a call to talk more about transforming yourself & your life.