Presence Matters

January 14, 2012

More from participants in Release and Renewal:

Research has found that in the life of a cell, within our bodies, the neural circuitry has two main possibilities.

The first is that our cells can run on their survival circuits, due to a fight-flight-freeze response in the nervous system, which is helpful and sometimes vital in the short run for escaping from dangerous situations.(Think of a child who learns to freeze and be silent in an alcoholic family situation growing up, where being seen could mean abuse. Or, think of running to rescue someone at the scene of an accident. Or, think of successfully fighting off an assailant who attacks you.)

This survival circuitry is brilliant, and if successful, keeps us here to live another day. However, we are not meant to have this circuitry operating all the time. And what we are finding in today’s stressful, high paced world, is that many people stay in this survival circuitry even after the emergency situation is over. Sometimes years after the events, even when you are supposedly relaxed, the circuitry is running unconsciously in the background. This is a constant drain on our systems and will ultimately lead to a breakdown in our health at some point if we get depleted enough. (This can be everything from a cold to more serious illness.) I think of this as the circuitry of fear.

The other circuitry for our cells to run on is a healthy life-giving circuitry where the systems of regeneration and renewal are the primary operators. In this option, the cells flourish and have the energy to meet challenges with resilience. We are able to bounce back and be renewed. I think of this as the circuitry of love.

Here is the issue – both circuitry programs cannot run at the same time.

Which circuitry program are you operating from these days? And which circuitry do you choose to support you for the coming year?

Trackback URI | Comments RSS