Limbic system
The limbic system is a set of brain structures related to, among others, with emotions, motivation, memory and survival responses.
Definition
It is not one simple "emotional brain," but a network of interacting structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cingulate gyrus. It participates in the assessment of the meaning of stimuli, emotional memory, motivation and regulation of behavior. In practice, it is worth talking about its role carefully, without contrasting it with the entire "rational" cortex.
Key ideas
- Network of structures
- Emotions and memory
- Motivation and survival responses
Practice and life
When you notice a strong emotional reaction, name the stimulus, the body reaction and the interpretation - this helps connect the emotion with the reflection.
Common misconceptions
It is wrong to say that the limbic system itself "takes control" of a person. It is also a mistake to treat emotions as the opposite of thinking.
> An emotion does not reside in one place in the brain, but travels through many parts of the brain.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What stimulus triggered the reaction?
- What do I feel in my body?
- How can I enable reflection before I act?