_{We are in a period when connection and community are more important than ever. I love the concept of ‘neuroception’ which Dr. Stephen Porges (polyvagal theory¹ ) developed. He used the term to describe how our neurophysiological systems scan each other’s systems to assess safety when interacting. Dr. Seigel’s book ‘ The Neurobiology of We ‘, also delves deeply into how our neuro-physiology behaves as we build connections with others from when we are in the womb to the end of our life. Finally, Dr. Joe Dispenza in ‘ Breaking the Habit of Being Yourselves’, delves into how our neuro-physiology has us repeating unhelpful patterns and how we can change it & stop being ourselves. I would love to share some insights from these books & related articles as we navigate life this year.}

_{Bill pulled Dr. Seigel below his cot. He had two broomsticks - which he was sure were rifles. Dr. Seigel & Bill, a Vietnam Veteran, hid under that cot, with Bill directing Dan on how to escape enemy fire the whole time. Eventually, Dr. Seigel got Bill back resting on the bed. This is a classic description of a flashback, which Dr. Seigel describes as an implicit memory that Bill’s hippocampus had not integrated into an explicit memory. The stress hormones cortisol & adrenaline can cause the hippocampus to shit down. When the hippocampus shuts down, that experience remains a source of a triggering trauma that has to be healed. That is what had happened with Bill’s memories of the war. Dr. Seigel explains that non-integrated implicit memory from the past always shows up in our present.}

_{For example, if you felt ignored as a child and your little three-year-old ignores you, you may have a meltdown that is entirely disproportional to the present-day event. This implicit memory hits you, and you may not even know it is being triggered. Next week, we will explore these unconscious triggers and Dr. Dispenza’s approach to them more.}

_{Integrating an unconscious, implicit memory is a deeply bodily felt, interpersonal experience. This is where mindfulness meditation and/or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT ) or Tapping are invaluable. EFT activates the Hippocampus and allows us to integrate the implicit memory into an explicit memory.}