EDUCATION
"Wonderfully Made"
Part 2
"EDUCATION" pages are full of thought-provoking information designed to appeal to all of your rational, thinking brain. These pages are primarily for learning, as opposed to some other types of Comfort.Guide pages which are written more for motivation and consolation. Let these teachings help guide you to the truth that you are noticed, loved and cared for, even though you might not always feel so!
Current Research and Scripture
(Part 1) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Love!”
(Part 2) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Protection and Survival!” (Starts Below)
(Part 3) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Healing and Renewal of the Mind - The Neuroscience behind PAUSE, REFLECT, RECEIVE!”
(Part 4) Introduction and “Making God’s Design Personal - Identifying our own Personal Triggers and Healing the Memories that Cause Them!”
The FOCUS of this particular educational material is to examine how God has designed us for protection and survival in this troubled world. As you study this material and open your heart to God’s heart, you will see that we are actually neurologically designed to cry out to a PERSON when we are in pain. This is not just a spiritual choice; it is a “designed” and necessary neurological choice as well! The PAUSE, REFLECT and RECEIVE (CHOOSE) process in seeking and receiving comfort from the PERSON of GOD is the beginning of healing and protection on a neurological and physical level as well as emotional and spiritual!
As you read this technical material, we invite you to see the wonder of the work of God. He tenderly designed us to be equipped to experience His love and calm in the midst of the storms of life. Jesus who was called “Emmanuel”, which means “God with us”, lived with a human body having human experiences. He modeled for us the way to be protected and “survive”. He told us to come to Him when we are bowed down and weary and we would find rest. He told us to learn from Him in that He was meek and humble of heart.
Perhaps most important, He modeled, and lived, in an ongoing connection with His Father God. He said, “I do and say what the Father shows me”, and “I live in Him and He lives in me.” They KNEW each other; they were attuned with each other. He also lived His life in close connection with a network of friends. He sought to be attuned with them and encouraged them to be attuned with each other.
The key concepts and truth here is that Jesus was in constant social engagement with the PERSON of His Father. They spoke “FACE TO FACE”. Jesus cried out to a PERSON in the garden when His friends abandoned Him. He turned to the PERSON of His FATHER when deeply distressed, when His body was yelling at Him to be afraid and run. For instance, Jesus paused in the midst of temptation in the desert, temptation that said Jesus was NOT the Son of God. Jesus paused to consider the whole truth of His Father’s heart and mind, the Father He KNEW. It was that awareness and choice that allowed Jesus to refute the temptation to act in a harmful way, a way motivated by fear rather than a way motivated by freedom and trust in the Father.
Please note that this Educational work is more technical than others; we are trying to present as much pertinent information as possible, realizing that each reader will be impacted by different types of material. As you read this technical material open your heart to what Jesus would speak to you for your own personal life!
(Part 2) Designed for Protection and Survival!
The goal of this educational piece is to highlight how our brain and neurological systems work together for survival and protection, called the "flight or Fight" reaction. This process involves understanding how thoughts, memories and emotions are processed in our brain, as well our bodies. Secondly, we will consider new research that explains how the brain/body needs a safe environment to grow and be creative; and how adverse, wounding experiences impact our thoughts, emotions, resulting memories and overall attitude of mind. Understanding and seeing clearly the where, why and how we became distressed in the past, will help us understand the where, why and how to receive comfort and healing for that distress today!
In order to do this, we are first going to consider how thoughts, memories and emotions are formed and processed in our brains as well as our bodies and neurological system. Then we are going to discuss the specifics of how our brain and neurological system react and interact for protection and survival.
THOUGHTS, MEMORIES, AND EMOTIONS
Research is revealing, and it is amazing to realize, that our brain functions in such a way that it separates positive experiences, thoughts and emotions from negative experiences, thoughts and emotions. It’s important to realize that thoughts are real things; they have a structure in your brain and occupy space. Thoughts are the same as memories. In research, we now find that thoughts and memories look like trees; they are called neurons or nerve cells. As information comes in from the five senses, we process it in certain structures of our brain, and then we grow branches on the "trees" to hold this information in long-term memory. In fact, as you are reading this, you are “growing” thoughts because thoughts are the result of what we hear, read, see, feel and experience. (Leaf, 2009)
If the thought is a good one, based on something positive, it looks different in the brain than a negative thought does. The negative thought will affect your entire body. Negative thoughts form a different type of chemical than a positive thought. A negative thought causes little thorns to grow on the branches in the nerve cells. These thorns are actually little pockets of toxic chemicals. They squirt out their poison into your body which can make you sick.
In addition, at deeper levels than previously known, research is finding that the psychosomatic interaction between brain and body is significant. This is especially true in periods of ongoing stress. The toxic brew of negative stress experiences combined with the resulting negative thoughts and emotions combine to form an overall negative attitude of mind. (Leaf, pg. 52).
This pattern can become chronic and can settle within our hearts as the FILTER through which we see every aspect of our lives; it can and does influence our motivation, our choices and our actions. As we live our lives looking through a negative and toxic filter we will become impaired in our thought patterns and creativity. We will become trapped in negativity in our view of God, ourselves and others. Often, because these thought patterns have become imprinted in our neurological system as memories of what is safe and what is not safe, they are experienced as normal and true.
Because of the capacity to become numb and shut down we can miss the signs of danger all around us. Although numb, the harm is still impacting us in negative way. For instance, we may be numb to the ability to feel fire, but our skin is still being burned. We can be terrified to touch a stove, expecting to be burned when the stove is not even turned on. We can be numb to emotional abuse, numb to the danger of control others have on us rather than love, numb to toxic thoughts and emotions, numb to seeing that we are not trapped in negative circumstances and that we have the option of a voice and an option to set boundaries. Not being loved in the development stages of our childhood becomes our adult “normal”; being loved becomes the unexpected and not normal. We simply don’t expect, or look, or are able to receive, someone giving us love!
Because of this “normalizing” we can be unaware of the impact this belief system is having on our life. Rather than thriving, we are merely surviving. (Amen, Chapter 3).
Understanding that thoughts, emotions and body responses are linked together encourages us to become more aware of our thoughts, emotions and body reactions. When we are distressed and pause to cry out to the Person of Jesus, we can reconnect our focus to the safety of His presence.
THE ROLE OF THE BRAIN/BODY CONNECTION IN PROTECTION AND SURVIVAL
This role is often referred to as the fight-flight-freeze automatic reaction that occurs when there is an actual or perceived threat to our physical and emotional safety and well-being. This overview will simply touch on the marvelously complex reality of brain structure and function, specifically as to the overall process of protection and survival.
BRAIN STRUCTURE and FUNCTION
(The following material can be seen in more depth at http://www.brainwaves.com.)
The CEREBRUM (located at the top of the brain): the executive (thinking) part of the brain.
If you would look into the brain you would see the Cerebrum as the top part or top “layer” of the brain; it actually encompasses many brain structures. The Cerebrum controls our entire body and is responsible for receiving sensory information and is the command center for managing our thoughts and actions. The Cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is divided into two hemispheres, left and right. The right hemisphere is activated in response to distress; the left hemisphere is activated in positive moods.
The Cerebrum is divided into four lobes or areas, each of which is in a different location, each with a different function. For this study we will be looking at only one of these lobes, the Frontal lobe. This area is responsible for executive functioning such as: solving problems, planning, searching memory, verbal skills, empathy, interpreting changes in facial expressions and manages the “insight” for what is appropriate social behavior.
The CEREBRAL CORTEX: the outer thin layer of the Cerebrum is called the Cerebral Cortex. It contains cells and fibers that are responsible for sending and receiving messages to and from other areas of the brain.
One of the important functions of the Cerebral Cortex is to give interpretation of emotional data and return the message to the Limbic System (see below).
The THALAMUS: the Thalamus is located between the Cerebral Cortex and the Limbic system and it is the "hub" for processing stimuli from our five senses. As sensory data is processed it will send messages to the Cerebral Cortex and to the Limbic system and spinal cord for assessment as to safety or danger.
The MID-BRAIN: the Limbic System or the Emotional Brain. The Limbic System, as you look into the brain, is deep within the middle of the brain and is encompassed by the Cerebrum.
Dr. Amen presents a detailed list in his book (sited in the Week #1 “Credits” area) for the functions of the Limbic System: it sets the emotional tone of the mind, it filters external events through internal states (creates emotional coloring), it tags events as internally important, it stores highly charged emotional memories, it modulates motivation, it controls appetite and sleep cycles, it promotes bonding, it directly processes the sense of smell, and it modulates libido. (Amen, pg.37)
The AMYGDALA is a structure within the Limbic system that is responsible for identifying the needs for basic survival as well as threats to survival. It is our alarm system and will activate the "fight or flight" center.
The HIPPOCAMPUS is also a structure within the Limbic system and is located right next to the Amygdala.
The Hippocampus is the memory coordinator and gives us the ability to tell our story in the correct sequence, language, context, time, and narrative, as well as connection with other similar memories. It takes new memories and processes them so that they are then stored in the long-term memory system of the left brain. The Hippocampus will send messages to an area of the LEFT FRONTAL CORTEX, called the BROCA’S area. The Broca’s area is uniquely designed to give language to emotions. Giving language to the emotions experienced during the event provides logic and understanding to the memories and allows for similar memories to be connected. (Schiraldi, pgs.379-380)
The BRAIN STEM: maintains body functions. The Brain Stem is located in the back part of the brain and connects the Cerebrum to the spinal cord.
It is the location of the Locus Ceruleus, the stress center that registers fear and then communicates directly with the Limbic System, including the Amygdala and the Hippocampus. In response to fear, the Locus Ceruleus fires, sending alarm messages throughout the brain. (Schiraldi, pgs. 379-380).
The VAGUS Nerve is also located within the Brain Stem. The Vagus nerve extends down through the neck to the spinal column and includes both sensory and motor nerves that contain both voluntary branches as well as the branches of the autonomic or involuntary nervous system.
The process of survival and protection includes the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve flows out of the brain stem and innervates with every organ in our bodies and communicates with the brain the status of these organs. For example, if we are paying attention to ourselves, we will know when our stomach aches, when our heart changes rhythm, when we are breathing fast, when we see a frown on someone’s face and we want to run away, when we hear a harsh voice and our body tenses and we want to hide.
The Vagus nerve also regulates the autonomic nervous system which includes the parasympathetic branch and the sympathetic branch (see below). The Vagus nerve is designed with the overall function of maintaining a balanced internal neurological system. This state of optimum balance is defined as a state of homeostasis. This homeostasis balance is achieved through the parasympathetic function of the autonomic nervous system. It involves a state of calmness that enables the release of the perfect balance of chemicals needed to maintain basic body functions as well as optimum growth and creativity. This is the status of our body needed to have safe social-engagements which ultimately are vital for survival.
However, when our overall safety is threatened, the Vagus nerve begins to react in a way that allows the parasympathetic system to diminish and the sympathetic system (the flight and fight system) is activated. And in severe danger, when all hope seems lost and we feel trapped, the Vagus nerve can take over activating the parasympathetic capacity to shut down our body functions in a freeze response both emotionally and physically.
HOW OUR BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM INTERACT IN DISTRESS
Now that we are aware of the brain structures and their role in protection and survival, let’s take a closer look as to how they interact together.
Let’s say you are walking on a foot path with a friend. As you look down the path, you see something that looks like a snake. Your Hippocampus remembers, from past experiences and learning, that snakes are dangerous, and an appropriate response would be to run. The Thalamus has processed this sensory information and has sent messages to both the Frontal lobe and Amygdala. You are now having an automatic fear response and the Locus Ceruleus (the fear center) is sending out warning messages to your brain, causing your heart rate to subtly increase, your body muscles tensing in preparation to run, your breathing becoming more rapid as you prepare for action. The left brain hemisphere is beginning to shut down. The right brain is activating the sympathetic nervous system for flight or fight.
But, upon further assessment by the Frontal Lobe (the Logical brain), it has time to send a message to the Amygdala, a thought something like: “Although that ‘looks’ like a snake, it has no head and it is not moving”. At this point, perhaps your friend says something like: “I wonder if that’s not a snake but only a stick?” As the cool thinking part of your brain (left brain, prefrontal cortex) assesses the data, looking more carefully, it sends a message to your limbic system, “Calm down, it’s just a stick that looks like a snake”. As you process this information to calm down, you may say to your friend, “Wow, that was really scary, so glad it was a stick. I ‘hate’ snakes!” You may need to intentionally take deep breaths in order to calm your heart rate. In order to calm down even further, you may begin to “tell the story to each other” and laugh. You are returning to the safety of social-engagement and communication.
At this point, you have received “comfort”. The Broca’s area has given you language and the Hippocampus prepares the event to move to a safe long term memory, connecting it to other similar memories. You can tell your story as a memory that occurred in the past without an overwhelming feeling of fear. It is amazing that all of this exchange of information can occur at a speed we are unable to measure with human observation!
It is important to realize that highly charged emotional memories that involve traumatic events which are perceived as dangerous are stored and processed differently from everyday memories and experiences. “Charged negative emotions seem to be ‘stuck’ in the right hemisphere, split from the more logical left hemisphere.” (Schiradli, pg. 380).
The difference is due to the fact that as the Amygdala perceives danger, those structures such as the Broca’s area (which translates emotion into language, and the prefrontal cortex (which provides logical thinking, understanding and sequencing of the event/memory), are shutting down. In addition, the Hippocampus (the memory coordinator) can become less effective due to previous trauma and the intensity of the current emotion.
THE POLYVAGAL THEORY OF PROTECTION AND SURVIVAL
The Polyvagal theory is based on the fact that there are two branches of the Vagus nerve: the first branch is the Ventral Vagus nerve that innervates the organs affecting social engagement. This includes all of the organs from the brain stem down through the Thoracic Diaphragm which will affect facial muscles, voice and auditory function, lung function and heart function. The function of the Vagus nerve is to maintain balance and calm unless a perceived threat to safety occurs. If there is any change in in the perceived status of a safe social engagement, the Ventral Vagus nerve will begin to deactivate the parasympathetic system and allow a shift to the sympathetic system for activation of the flight and fight system.
Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD describes the contribution of the Polyvagal Theory in this way: “The Polyvagal theory provided us with a more sophisticated understanding of the biology of safety and danger, one based on the subtle interplay between the visceral experiences of our own bodies and the voices and faces of the people around us. It explained why a kind face or soothing tone of voice and dramatically alters the way we feel.” (Kolk, pg78).
The second branch of the Vagus nerve innervates all of the organs below the Thoracic Diaphragm such as our stomach, intestines, bladder, etc. A state of calm is needed for these organs to function in an optimum capacity.
The Polyvagal theory is based on the flow of three stages of reactivity when there is a perceived threat: The first stage involves a change in the status of social engagement from a sense of safety to a sense of danger. In fact, the first response to any perceived threat is to call out for help.
If there is no response socially for the help that brings protection and return to safety, the second stage is initiated which is the activation of the sympathetic system for fight and flight action.
If this activity and mobilization fails, the Vagus nerve initiates the third stage which is a state of shut down, bringing the parasympathetic system to an extreme point of organ shut down. This may range from extreme emotional numbness, to emotional and mental dissociation, and even to physical death.
The “Still Face” experiment mentioned in the section “We Are Designed for Love” actually provides a great visual example of the Polyvagal theory. If we observe the interaction between the child and caregiver in this experiment, we see the caregiver became still in facial expression, silent in voice, broke eye contact and also turned away from the child. In response, we saw a change not only in the child’s facial expression, but also the child became visibly distressed both emotionally and physically. Stated simply, the relationship and the environment for the child was no longer comfortable or safe. The child perceived that something was wrong. The Vagus nerve began to allow the sympathetic response of flight or fight to be activated.
Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal theory would suggest the following for an explanation of the emotional and physical response of the child: the emotional and the physical response of the child was a neurological and physical response rather than a RATIONAL response. It did NOT come from the thinking part of the brain; rather, it came from a perceived change from safety to danger in the social interaction.
The child tried to establish connection. When that failed, the protective, survival process went to the next stage of the Polyvagal theory, the activation of the fight or flight stage. This could be seen in the child becoming more and more distressed. If no help came to establish safety, the body will move to the next stage of protection, which was the body language of shut down. We can see the child beginning to collapse in body posture and distress. Calm was only established when social engagement was returned.
“Social support is not the same as merely being in the presence of others. The critical issue is reciprocity: being truly heard and seen by the people around us, feeling that we are held in someone else’s and heart.” (Kolk, pg79)
THE ROLE OF MIRROR NEURONS
“Mirror neurons make emotions contagious, letting the feelings we witness flow through us, helping us get in sync and follow what’s going on. We “feel” the other person in the broadest sense of the word: sensing their sentiments, their movements, their sensations, and their emotions as they act inside of us.” (Coleman, pg. 42).
As humans, we are designed to perceive social threats through “mirror neurons” which exist throughout our nervous systems. These mirror neurons allow us to see into the internal emotional shift from safety and attunement to loss of attunement in social engagement. This was seen in the change in facial expression, body language, and loss of eye contact that occurred between the mother and child. (Coleman, Chapter 3)
Mirror neurons allow us to experience intimacy, sometimes stated as “the ability to SEE into the heart, emotion, and mind of others and share that together”. We need this capacity to not only survive, but to thrive.
THE “BRAIN” IN THE HEART
Resent research is discovering that your heart is much more complex than just an organ that pumps blood throughout your body. Rather, the heart is continually responding to your ongoing thoughts and determining an appropriate response. In fact, the heart itself has a complex neurological system that researchers have come to call the “brain in the heart” (Leaf, Pg.40).
The “brain in the heart” participates in the fight or flight response by providing an increase in blood flow. Not only that, but it also releases a hormone that contributes a sense of peace in making choices. Indeed, your heart accurately reflects your thoughts and emotions, and acts as a check to make sure your decisions are in line with your overall thinking and emotions.
Have you ever said or heard the statement, “I am not at peace in my heart about this choice”. Your heart, really, is” talking” to you. This is also consistent with the often real dilemma of knowing in our mind that something is true but having difficulty “believing” in our hearts. Our decisions and behavior often indicate that what we think we really “know” is in conflict with what we believe in our hearts. Ultimately, heart transformation follows a process that must flow from the renewal of our minds.
THE ENTERIC “BRAIN” IN THE GUT
There is a growing awareness of the nervous system’s role in the “gut”. The gut is considered to be located in the digestive system, from the esophagus all the way to the colon. Research is showing that the neuron circuits found in the gut area mirror those found in the central nervous system in the brain and spinal cord areas, indicating a much more complex interaction between our “gut” and our “brain” than we previously thought. This provides a physical and neurological foundation for understanding why we will say, “It felt right or wrong in my gut.” (KING’S PSYCHOLOGY NETWORK: THE ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: THE BRAIN IN THE GUT) (psyking.net)
As we move forward in our walk with Jesus to receive comfort, PAUSE AND REFLECT on the WONDER of His design for our protection and survival! Truly He SEES and KNOWS the trouble we experience in this world, and He has a plan for healing. We will be discussing this in the next part of this series.
The next part, part 3, can be found below.
Click HERE to read "Wonderfully Made" - 3