Satir workshops

According to Triune Brain Theory, the human brain is three systems in one, each superimposed over the other. Each system corresponds to a major evolutionary development.

Reptilian Radix

Timeline: The most ancient of the three systems is named the reptilian system or the R-complex, and it evolved around 200 million years ago. The R-complex is our survival system and only interested in the four Ss: sustenance, shelter, safety and sex. It controls heart rate, breathing, and all the things our bodies do when we are threatened, to help us deal with threats. If our Reptilian interprets learning as threatening, the gate closes, and our system receives nothing.

The reptilian system is triggered by instinct and responsible for learning:

• Tonal attitudes
• What territory is and how to protect it
• Respectful mating rituals
• Survival in (corporate) hierarchies
• Social rituals like preferred etiquette

Limbic Limbo

The old mammalian brain, or the limbic system, can be perceived as sandwiched between the R-complex and the new mammalian brain. This brain is around 60 million years old and is far more sensitive and sophisticated than the R-complex. It would be the seat of our emotion. True enough, our most memorable learning experiences are often linked with emotions. This brain has visual memory, and language is limited. Soft skills like empathy, understanding, self esteem, and a good sense of humor are perhaps critical factors in learning.

The limbic system gives access to our long term memory through emotional links and is responsible for learning:

• Ways of keeping ourselves and others safe
• Bonding with colleagues, friends and family
• Sexual feelings
• Emotions
• Perceiving our own truths
• Long term memory
• Ancestral memories

Neo Matrix

The newest brain, the neocortex or new mammalian brain, has only been around for a few million years. In humans the neocortex is also the largest of the three brains and our key to learning. Events and circumstances do not directly cause our emotional states. We humans can use a cognitive process of interpretation between events and emotions consciously. The neocortex system can turn concepts such as compassion, justice and caring, into concrete action.

The neocortex brain is responsible for detecting patterns and making "meaning" of information we see, hear, think, speak, flow, jump, relate and thrive:

• Reflecting mindfully
• Problem solving leadership
• Counting and calculus
• Strategic planning and future scenarios
• Visualize and imagine
• Write, draw, speak; Read, translate, compose; Draw, sing and make music, perform