How to train your reptile brain

by | Oct 24, 2023 | Havening, Weekly Blog

About eight years ago two apparently unconnected events manifested in my life that would significantly change my life, and the way I work as a coach. In retrospect this is definitely an example of a Carl Jung synchronicity. It can change your life too

Thanks to Paul McKenna

The first event started when my friend Paul Mckenna contacted me to ask if I would join his training team for a high-profile event in London. This was to be the UK rollout of the relatively new psychosensory technique called Havening.

Paul had mentioned this to me about two years previously and I had done some research but not taken it any further. I pointed out that I had never actually used this technique. He reassured me that he and Dr Ron Ruden would explain everything the evening before the gig.

Hollywood

The second element of the synchronicity was that I had been offered the part of Charles Darwin in a TV documentary series. More about this later so let’s return to the London event.

In a nutshell the Havening technique involves stroking the upper arms of the client whilst performing tapping movements, guided eye movements, stroking parts of the face, and singing songs. By the end of the weekend I had no doubts that this was a very powerful technique, particularly for treating post traumatic stress disorder – PTSD.

Good but with some reservations

Whilst I started to use this technique with clients I did feel a little uncomfortable with some parts of the technique. There was nothing wrong with them but they just didn’t resonate with me.

Back to the filming. We were shooting scenes in the sand dunes on the Kent coast. Apparently the budget did not extend to being on location in the Galapagos Islands. Apart from meeting Annie the dragon lizard the only thing I can really remember is that it was bitingly cold and I was wearing a thin tropical outfit.

Two men in white coats arrive and ask for me

Halfway through the shoot a large white van appeared and two zookeepers approached the producer and asked which actor would be working with Annie. They then escorted me to the van and opened the rear doors.

Inside was a large wire cage containing a large dragon lizard complete with long and sharp claws. One of the keepers explained that Annie would only work with me if she liked me. I asked how we would find out about her feelings for me?

Trust me I’m a zookeeper

He explained that on top of the cage was a small flap which I should open and then reach inside with one hand and stroke Annie’s cheek. If she liked me she would close her eye. This left me with a big question.

“What happens if she doesn’t like me?” I asked.

The head keeper replied.

“That’s why there’s two of us here today,” he said with an ominous grin.

Annie steals the limelight

With considerable trepidation I reached inside the cage and stroked Annie as directed. I was mightily relieved when she closed her eye. We worked at very close quarters for the rest of the day. Without question Annie was the star of the show. She had a natural ability to know which camera to look at during the close-ups.

freedom

The epiphany moment

It took me a few days to work out how these two apparently separate events were connected. It started with the recognition that the face stroking of the Lizard was another example of a psychosensory technique. I named it the reptilian relaxation reflex for want of better words. I wondered what its evolutionary significance was, because nothing happens in nature by accident.

I linked this to the arm stroking component of the Havening technique and recognised that this was nothing new either. This was also an evolutionary instinct or reflex as with the lizard. An example of this reflex would be how we would all reach out to stroke the arm of a child who was distressed. Just as we put our arms around or hug an adult. Chimpanzees and other primates do the same.

Simple is best and less is more

From that moment of realisation and synchronicity I ditched all the paraphernalia of the Havening technique. I found that the arm stroking alone provides at least as good results. I have made several videos on this subject and this is an example we can all use on others or ourselves.

Comments and questions will be welcome as always.

Cart

hypnotherapy audio guided meditation
books by dr stephen simpson on mindset coaching, executive, nlp poker golf

Read More Articles by Dr. Simpson

 

Living in the 1% of reality

Living in the 1% of reality

The phrase “living in one percent of reality” can be interpreted in a few different ways. When my clients grasp even the smallest degree of understanding about this concept, their performances are propelled to a much higher level than they expected, or believed they were capable of reaching. What feels so real to us is largely an illusion of our own making.

read more

Free Zen Guided Meditation Audiobook

A FREE Gift? What's the catch? Absolutely nothing, although it would be nice if you could leave a comment on YouTube. This audiobook will shortly be published on iTunes, and it was also be great if you let me know of any improvements I could make to it before...

read more

David Beckham – It Was Not All Fame And Fortune

Life always has its ups and downs, even for the rich and famous. As always it is how adversity is tackled that determines eventual success or failure. This is a short article I wrote this week for The Best You magazine. What makes David Beckham one of the greatest...

read more

So Who Was Jack The Ripper?

One evening last week I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and not for the first time either. The evening plans were trashed, so what to do? In such circumstances the reptilean genes often kick off, and I was drawn to follow the herd who appeared to know what...

read more

No Wifi Today – A Blessing In Disguise?

Don't we just love Monday mornings, with its long list of overdue tasks to complete. Even better when there is no wifi, as happened to me today. Everything I planned to do, including writing this blog, depended on wifi. So how could I use this extra time? By doing...

read more

Great Coaches Don’t Speak Much

Last week I was filming my first role in a full length feature film at Ealing Studios. I knew the set would be very different from the sets on the low budget short films I had appeared in, and so I was a bit apprehensive. Whenever you do anything new it is normal to...

read more

Coaching & Consultations

Ready to Work with Dr. Simpson?

This is the place to book consultation sessions and join Dr. Simpson’s popular one-on-one coaching programs. Dr Simpson coaches champions, but everyone is welcome to
use these services!

Dr Simpson employs many different techniques, not least neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Hypnosis and Mindset coaching.

Coaching & Consultations

Ready to Work with Dr. Simpson?

This is the place to book consultation sessions and join Dr. Simpson’s popular one-on-one coaching programs. Dr Simpson coaches champions, but everyone is welcome to
use these services!

Dr Simpson employs many different techniques, not least neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Hypnosis and Mindset coaching.

Dr Stephen Simpson