Stress Resources- Physical Stress
1st BRAIN: REFLEX & INSTINCT
Functions and Basic Drives:
The 1st brain controls our instincts, reflexes, and basic physical functioning. Amphibians, reptiles and birds of all kinds have only this part of the brain. They act and behave mainly from their instincts. The 1st brain cannot solve math problems, but without it we could not survive. Our instinctual awareness of danger comes from this brain level. When we are hungry or thirsty, the survival instincts of the 1st brain will let us know and cause us to eat or drink. The 1st brain is strongly connect to the sensations of the body. In day to day life it is important to be aware of the body and the instinctual drives.
Grounding in the Present Moment
The meditative practice of grounding in present moment awareness is stopping and dropping into the awareness of the grounding sensations of the body. The main sensation are hardest, weight and posture. Grounded in these sensations, we are better able to recognize what emotions and thoughts are also present in that moment. This is sometimes called being grounded, centered, awake or being in the present moment.This very important if there is a habit of disassociation from a perception of an past overwhelming experience