Surviving or Thriving?

I recently came across the work of Bob and Polly Hamp and their concepts regarding how our brain functions.  I can get intimidated sometimes when people explain the amazing science of our brain, but I was grateful for the simple explanations they give of some very complex functioning and would like to share some of this here.  (Although I don’t recommend some of the practices they promote, like yoga and neurolinguistic programming.)

They picture four levels of the brain.  The first level is the brain stem at the base of our skull and is where the basic functions of life occur.  This is our survival brain where fight, flight, freeze or faint are determined.  The second level relates to appetite and satisfaction where addictions can live if we did not receive the nurture and care in infancy and childhood.  This is where short acting Dopamine fires off and we feel we need more of something to survive.  The third and fourth levels are where we want to live – thriving.  The third level is about connection.  We were created for relationship with God and others.  This is where Oxytocin is released and sustains satisfaction.  It is a bonding hormone that we need to be and stay connected to others and God.  The fourth level is about living from our identity – the unique design given to us by God where we reach maximum fulfilment in life. 

This obviously is a quick run-down of these concepts.  Survivors typically live in level one and two – in fight, flight, freeze mode and/or chasing something to help us feel alive.  Coping mechanisms are good in the short run, but we can’t live abundant life out of them.  They become a trap to our ultimate healing.  Many survivors try to “fix themselves” – terrified of others, not trusting and yet grasping for any substance or idea that will bring temporary relief or hope.  These will never satisfy or heal.  Healing happens in connection and identity levels of the brain and is where we find abundant life. 

True FAMILY want to help us live in those levels of our brain – connection and identity.  Our survival brain is needed for emergencies and valuable, but not to live from.  We will explore more in future blogs on this, but for now, what part of your brain are you mostly living from?  There is no condemnation in this with True FAMILY, just an opportunity to face the truth Their love and to ask for Their help in moving up into more connection and identity.  More to come…