Differentiating the Past and Present

When we are triggered it is hard to differentiate the past from the present.  That’s why it is important to strengthen your Wise Mind, which can actually be connected to a part of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex.  This part of the brain helps to connect the thinking brain to the feelings associated with the reptilian brain to see the big picture.  

In the workbook, Janina Fisher says that to heal requires restoration of the thinking brain so that we can “observe, reflect, see ourselves and others in perspective and have access to curiosity and compassion.”  

We cannot reason with the reptilian brain, but we can use the thinking part of our brain to calm the body and the nervous system.  

Learning to recognize when we are reacting to the past helps us to be better recognize when we are actually safe despite feeling triggered.  It’s part of how we rewire the brain into recognizing safety over threat.  

Reflection Questions: 
Spend some time identifying your triggers.  Make a chart and keep track of when you are triggered, how you responded in your body and practice identifying if your response is related to the past or the present.  

How did this activity go for you?