Stephen Porges On Trauma & Polyvagal Theory (#139)

09/28/21 • 51 min

CHITHEADS with Jacob Kyle (Embodied Philosophy)

Dr. Stephen W. Porges is a distinguished university scientist at Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is also a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. His more than 350 peer‐reviewed scientific papers, published across several disciplines, have been cited in approximately 40,000 peer-reviewed papers. He holds several patents involved in monitoring and regulating autonomic state and originated the Polyvagal Theory, which emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is the author of The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation, The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, and Polyvagal Safety, as well as co-editor of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies, and Polyvagal Safety. In this episode, we discuss:

What is the vagus nerve and why should we care about it.
Symptomatology explained by Polyvagal Theory.
Understanding resilience and adaptive physiological states.
Shifting the negativity bias to a positive one.
How polyvagal theory is transforming trauma care.
Developing models for how polyvagal theory can inform other therapies.
The necessity of human interaction in coregulation.

More from Stephen Porges : Join Stephen Porges on his 4-Module Course - Polyvagal Theory: Neural Exercises for Safety and Social Connection. This course will elaborate on how Polyvagal Theory provides a neural foundation for a brain-body medicine that would lead to insights into the treatment of trauma and chronic stress-related mental and physical health challenges. Learn more and register here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the vagus nerve and why should we care about it.
Symptomatology explained by Polyvagal Theory.
Understanding resilience and adaptive physiological states.
Shifting the negativity bias to a positive one.
How polyvagal theory is transforming trauma care.
Developing models for how polyvagal theory can inform other therapies.
The necessity of human interaction in coregulation.

Previous Episode

Krishna Das on Chanting Divine Names (#138)

Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das” known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD” has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60’s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Given the name Krishna Das, KD began to chant as part of following the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion. In this episode, we discuss:

Spiritual awakening and the need for a deeper connection.
The potency of chanting the divine names.
Chanting divine names as a way to wake up.
The real meaning of divine names.
The role of a teacher in the life of a contemporary seeker.
The purpose of the spiritual path.
Finding freedom by learning to trust ourselves.

More from Krishna Das: Join Krishna Das on a journey with chanting, stories, and discussion in this 4-Module Course. Learn more and register here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

Andrew Harvey on Sacred Activism and Radical Regeneration (#140)

Andrew Harvey is an internationally acclaimed writer, poet, translator, and mystical teacher. He is the author of over 40 books, including Son of Man, The Hope, Way of Passion, Turn Me to Gold, and Savage Grace with Carolyn Baker. He has taught all over the world, given over 20 courses for the Shift Network, and is the founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism. In this episode, we discuss:

What is sacred activism?
Obstacles to cultivating ourselves as sacred activists.
The evolutionary global dark night.
The fantasy magical thinking of the new age.
Radical regeneration: tantra and sacred activism.
The three main varieties of mystical practice.
What is the tantric vision?

More from Andrew Harvey: Join Andrew Harvey and Ramesh Bjonnes on their 4-Module Course - Radical Regeneration: Tantra and Sacred Activism. Perhaps more than any other wisdom path, Tantra embodies spirituality in action, spirituality as sacred service to the other, to the world. Using Tantric philosophy and practice as inspiration, you will in this course learn the basic concepts of Harvey’s sacred activism fused with the dynamic spirit of Tantra and how you can turn them into practical tools for personal and planetary change. Learn more and register here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.