That Monkey Brain Needs Love
Over the weekend, I listened to a wonderful series of talks by Rick Hanson called No-Self in the Brain, given at a recent day-long event at Spirit Rock. Rick is a neuropsychologist and a New York Times best-selling author, who wrote Buddha’s Brain, and now has a new book out called Hardwiring for Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence.
He talks about how we have evolved with different “layers” in our brain. The first — and most primitive — is what he calls the “Lizard Brain,” which is primarily concerned with being safe. This is the nervous, will-I-be-OK? part of the brain.
The next is the “Mouse Brain,” which is primarily concerned with finding and getting nourishment. This is the hungry, will-there-be-enough? part of the brain.
And the last is the “Monkey Brain,” which is primarily concerned with establishing and maintaining social connections. This is the needy, am-I-loved? part of the brain.
We all have each of these, of course, but many of us have one that tends to be more easily triggered. In the talks (and I assume, in his book), Rick offers ways — in mediation — that we can relax and soothe these different parts of the brain.
The “Lizard Brain” can be soothed by noticing–and then staying with–those time when we feel a sense of safety and confidence.
The “Mouse Brain” can be soothed by noticing/staying with those time when we feel a sense of sufficiency and contentment.
And the “Monkey Brain,” (which seems to be my personal favorite) can be soothed by noticing/staying with those time we we feel a sense of loving and being loved.