Dynamic neurosequential meditation. This is a practice I thought up while in my onboarding classes for CECA and DEN SPGS.
The neurosequential model was developed very recently (actually still in development) in education and psychology to evaluate and address youth and trauma. It is defined as a developmentally-informed, biologically-respectful approach to work with at risk youth. Although it is not a specific technique or intervention to children and their education, it is a way to organize the child's history and functioning based on the model. Developed by Dr. Bruce Perry who specializes in childhood trauma, he developed this approach to better evaluate development and reaction of traumatized youth. This system emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships, and experience that nurtures and positively influences the children to develop and heal. This is a somewhat systematic approach to human development and social interaction and trauma response and processing using neurological developmental frameworks that are already known in physiology.
In this systematic approach to working with children that have experienced trauma we try to bring them from building a framework of step by step development to help them regulate emotions, relate and then reason. This follows the development of the brain and the theory of the 'amphibian, mammalian and higher brain functions. This is also an aspect of the new 'polyvagal' theory and exercises which aim to bring you from the amphibian through the mammailain to a more social higher brain functioning.
By building on the lower levels of action and reaction, the practice of relation supports development of cal by focusing on relationships, and building of personal support and self soothing self regulating actions. IN this theory is an approach that uses how the brain works into the education and trauma therapy realm. It can be used with adults and children as well It is a way to see how we shape our behavior, trauma reactions and recover of trauma.
It is my theory that Buddhist meditation and practice can be interwoven with this model and use brain physiology and psychological development and reaction as set out in this neurosequential model to explain and outline the Buddha Dharma and the steps of practice of meditation and the application of Sila in our daily lives.
What we are hoping to do in mediation is to gradually develop a beginning level of regulation of reactions as well as emotional stability, Once they can regulate their five aggregates, they can begin to relate better to their own thoughts and reactions as well as with other people and situations.
Sensory Integration: Brainstem, this is where brainstem (most primitive mind) sleep , blood pressure, heart rate and temperature are controlled. In the meditative practice this is the basics of breath work, self calming, even vagal tone work. (like vagal tone exercises to stretch the neck and look opposite, hold breath and valsalva maneuver as well as cold packs on the neck or face to stimulate the 'Whale reflex'.
Self-Regulation: The Midbrain, motor regulation, sensory arousal and appetite. Here we are doing other types of exercises like Qi Gong, movement, rocking back and forth, concentrating on each of the senses. Similar to guided meditations where we go into that place and see 5 things, hear 4, touch 3 and smell one... etc...
Rational Functioning: The Limbic system. Here sexual behavior and emotional reactivity is placed. We are looking at some other types of practices, this would delve into more tantric and things like the Kama Sutra et al. emotional reactivity is where we practice calm abiding and equanimity.
Cognitive Problem Solving: The Cortex, this is abstract thought affiliation and attachment. Here we get into Vipassana as well as deeper contemplation and Sila.
the 8 P's
Present,
Parallel
Patient
Persistent
Patterned
Predicable,
positive
Protective.
This is a chart of the state dependent (nonsequential network)
Traditional Reflect Flock Freeze Flight Fight
Hyperarousal Rest Vigilance Resistance Defiance Aggression
Dissociative Rest Avoidance Compliance Defiance Aggression
Sense of time Future Days/hrs hrs/min Minutes no sense of time
IQ 120-100 100-80 90-60 70-50 50 and lower
HR 70-90 90-100 101-110 111-135 130-160
Brain area Cortex Limbic Midbrain Brainstem Brainstem
Cognition Abstract Concrete Emotional Reactive Reflexive
Mental state Calm ALert Alarm Fear Terror attack
(reference for the above chart )
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fslideplayer.com%2Fslide%2F12997393%2F79%2Fimages%2F13%2FCALM%2BAROUSAL%2BALARM%2BFEAR%2BTERROR.jpg&tbnid=-zVmAnm4pUlAxM&vet=10CAQQxiAoA2oXChMI0LrWrdiXgQMVAAAAAB0AAAAAEAY..i&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fslideplayer.com%2Fslide%2F12997393%2F&docid=UChk_CraU_tM9M&w=1024&h=768&itg=1&q=reflect%20flock%20freeze%20flight%20fight&ved=0CAQQxiAoA2oXChMI0LrWrdiXgQMVAAAAAB0AAAAAEAY
If we look at the above chart we can see also a similar aspect in the wheel of Samsara. The lower functioning areas would be like the hell realms, the next as in fear etc, is the Preta realm, and alarm would be like the animal realm, reactionary. Above that is the human realm, then the Deva and heaven realms.
References:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lorraine-Freedle/publication/342623817_Application_of_the_Neurosequential_Model_of_Therapeutics_NMT_in_an_integrative_outdoor_behavioral_healthcare_program_for_adolescents_and_young_adults/links/5efd731a299bf18816fa4b16/Application-of-the-Neurosequential-Model-of-Therapeutics-NMT-in-an-integrative-outdoor-behavioral-healthcare-program-for-adolescents-and-young-adults.pdf
https://www.amygdalaptsdconference.com/assets/media/documents/Joining_Forces_family_violence_research_assessment_interventions.pdf#page=106
https://youtu.be/_3is_3XHKKs
Now for example in meditaiton practice we can match almost exactly the 6 R's of Neurosequental model of therapy (NMT) For here we have relevance: The meditations in the Mahasattipathana are actually prescriptions for very specific problems we can have in regards to our individual suffering. these can be to develop empathy or foster a sense of dissociation with a problemed thought or thought process. (need some examples from the sutras etc)
The second R is rythmic. Here we have a great example of using the breath as a rythm as well as using the poetic (and not so poetic) sutras as a practice to get us inito a more regulated state of being and more focused.
The third R is Repetition. Here we can see the use of mantras as well as focusing on the breath for our concentration and ... (need more examples)
Fourth, the R of Rewarding.
THe 6Rs of Trauma (Perry)
Relational (safe)
Relevant (matched to the persons development mentally , like emotional maturity.
Repeditive. Easy on this one, the same process, like a routine or a ceremony and such. Pujas etc.
Rewarding (this must be somewhat fun).
Rythmic. (in the example it is 'resonant with the newural patterns). i.e. I think this would mean for it to match expectations even if un said or
Respectful:
Reference: https://attachmentdisorderhealing.com/developmental-trauma-3/
