Visual created by Geisa Paganini de Mio
Dear Movalogue friends,
In our last meeting we explored the concept of the social body and drew parallels to the birth and development of a human body. We explored how mindfulness of the body can help us tap into the social body and perceive its unique qualities. In this post we want to deepen our exploration by relating the concept of the social body to Dan Siegel's principles of Interpersonal Neurobiology.
Siegel argues that human well-being is based on a triangle Relationships, mind and brain. He emphasizes that mindful attention, consciously experiencing the present moment without attachment to judgment, promotes harmony between these three elements. Mindfulness practice strengthens the neural connections in the brain's resonant circuits, which play a critical role in developing empathy, compassion, and the ability to relate to others.
Dan often uses simple and relatable metaphors to explain the connection between relationships and the brain in an accessible way. One of his most notable illustrations is the idea of "brain as a garden":
Imagine that your brain is like a garden, and your relationships are the water and sunshine that help it grow. Just like flowers and plants need water and light to stay healthy, your brain needs loving and positive connections with other people to grow strong and work well. When you feel safe, loved, and connected to others, it’s like giving your brain the best possible care.
Siegel also explains that relationships shape our brain's development through what he calls "attunement" - when someone really listens to you and understands how you feel. This creates a sense of safety and helps your brain develop pathways that make you feel good and help you understand your own emotions and those of others. Your brain is being nurtured like a small plant, where attention, empathy, and understanding make it thrive. This way, it becomes clear that our interactions with people directly influence how our brain grows and functions, shaping who we are.
Collective and individual healing through integration
A social body that embodies these qualities can be a powerful vessel for collective and individual healing. By creating a safe and supportive space, members can confront their own stuckness while benefiting from the group's wisdom and compassion. Just as Siegel emphasizes integration as the key to personal well-being, integration within the social body is crucial for collective healing.
By engaging with our individual bodies and the social body with mindfulness, we create a field of connection, understanding and transformation. This is one of the core experiences we make when listening to each other with our bodies while practicing "the village" as a non-judgmental sensing space.
If you resonate with our curiosity of exploring these healing space of joint presence we encourage you to join us in our next gathering on Tuesday, November 19th, at 10am EST / 4pm CEST / 11pm Singapore.
We warmly welcome everyone to be a part of Movalogue's Social Body. Feel free to share this invitation widely!
With open hearts and boundless gratitude,
Movalogue Firekeepers
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