Project PhoenixEmotional Intelligence

Training

The Default State … is when we are idling (doing

nothing, do not engage our brains, when we are relaxed)

DefinitionDefault mode network (DMN): a

set of brain regions that are jointly active during rest, and that jointly

deactivate in any task.

Co-activation of different parts of the

brain● the hippocampus and the parietal cortex (thinking

about past and memories)

● the neo-prefrontal cortex (imagine future, evaluate)

● other regions of the brain, including areas that process language (stories, judgements, worst-case scenarios)

What is the resting state?Wakeful rest ⬤ Mind-wandering ⬤

Spontaneous thoughts ⬤ Daydreaming ⬤ Retrieving

memories ⬤ Stimulus independent thoughts ⬤ Absence of goal-directed neuronal action and

external input

What the brain loves to do

● Identify problems and how to solve them● Self-referential processing● Thinking of others (in self-reference)● JUDGE! Strong tendency towards negative bias● Make up stories, worst-case scenarios

Activating the DMN●Morally judging others●Self criticism

Activates the DMN when not in idle state!

DMN is good for survival

It is not good for happiness and goal

achievement!

What we can learn from rats

Similar default state to humans.

Dog Lovers: Scientists found no clue whatsoever what's going on in a dog's brain.

Default Mode Rat Brain

Default Mode Rat = in the NOW● Smells the world● Tastes the world● Experiences just the moment

If they're chillin´ - they're chillin´

Oh, lucky little rat! So mindful - effortlessly...

Brain and DiseaseSeveral parts of the brain are active. The same areas where

plaque forms in older patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Default State & Disease

Alzheimer & Default State

●Patient lose their sense of self●Lose understanding of place in the world

●Lose “What´s my relationship to you”

Social anxiety disorder, Depression

When the DMN is severely damaged. Actually, the default mode contributes to depression and anxiety.

Depression●Default State parts of brain more active

●Harder to shut off default mode (even when given task)

●Downward spiral of the brain (negative bias)

●When goal is set it gets connected to the parts that make us withdraw

Life experienceChanges the default mode of the brain. Any form of pain (mental or

physical) changes the brain. A concussion, breakup, business

failure, betrayal, job loss ...

TraumaTrauma is not a predefined terrible

event. Trauma is individual. Trauma is what “shocks” us.

After trauma the brain part responsible for threat detection becomes part of

the DMN!!!

Chronic PainThe brains of people who suffer

from chronic pain also shuts down the default state way harder.

Thoughts like : “Why is that happening to me”

“What if it gets worse”...

Alternative DMNIt is possible to change the default state of the brain to an alternative

state. The state is called non-evaluative present awareness

Something funny

One Phoenix said to me: My default state is Jacky*

● Jack Daniels

Trained and untrained mind

Trained mind Untrained mind

“I am feeling hungry” “Gosh, why did you forget to bring the snack”“You never take the time for a proper breakfast”“Hungry again, fatso”

“My leg hurts” “Why does my leg hurt, not the legs of the others”“Why is that happening to me”“What if it gets worse”

Pain experimentExperienced ZEN Meditators and regular people have been subjected to pain shocks● Part for sensory pain processing much more

active in ZEN Meditators● Less activity in the DMN● The more disconnected the two systems the

higher the pain tolerance

Pain experiment - Conclusion

The more I FEEL the pain and the less I am default moding about it the more pain I can

take, the less I suffer.

When untrained people feel pain (or smell, see, hear something) it triggers

Stories - self evaluation - problem solving

Mindfulness = focused attention●Only people with mind training

were able to focus their attention even in DMN

●Mindfulness can make us suffer less - even when the going gets tough

Meditation changes the brain

●Any form of meditation (no matter which) changes the brain (see: http://goo.gl/AZHRZI)

●Researchers found the alternative state only in people with mind training

Mindfulness changes the default state of

the brainMindfulness = non-judgemental awareness in the present moment

Survival instinct is supposed to protect our

lifeNegative experience should not define who we are and how we

live!

Project Phoenix - Suffer less, thrive more!

Project Phoenix LIVEMost Saturday´s - Reserve your spot for the Emotional Intelligence

Training here: http://phoenix.aurorasa-coaching.com

💗 THANKS to the Universities of Stanford, Toronto, Zürich, Genf for

their work!