#third brain

Our brain is really three brains stacked on top of one another. The first is our brain stem and cerebellum. Together they form what is often called the 'reptilian brain' because it is so primitive and similar to the brains of reptiles. This brain developed about 250 million years ago. Next we have the limbic brain, which rests on top of and around the 'reptilian brain.' It is also called the 'mammalian brain' as it is similar to the brains of mammals that developed about 60 million years ago. This brain is also called the midbrain since it rests in the middle of our three brains. Our third brain is our thinking brain and is called the cerebral cortex or neocortex. It is the wrinkly surface of the brain that we are all familiar with and it is divided into two hemispheres. It is the biggest part of our brain and it covers the limbic brain. It developed very slowly in mammals and by 40,000 years ago was already a powerful computer that eventually blossomed into the miracle of our present brain. Our 'reptilian brain' can be called a reactive brain, for whenever a threat appears it immediately causes the owner of the brain to flee, fight, or surrender. It is a protective or survival mechanism. While it serves animals well and rescued primitive man from many dangers, today, it is the source of much of our problems.

The problems faced by primitive man were those of survival, such as food and shelter. But for most of us, we are no longer facing problems of that magnitude. Yet, we are programmed by our 'reptilian brain' to AUTOMATICALLY run from danger. Since most of us no longer face grave danger, our 'reptilian brain' reacts to imagined threats. Why are so many people angry all the time? Because they imagine that they live in a hostile world and their primitive brain puts them in a FIGHT or attack (anger) frame of mind. If we imagine someone doesn't like us, we sense a threat and we automatically shift into an attack 'mode by criticizing, insulting, or arguing with that person. If we imagine our job at the office is too difficult to handle, we are programmed to FLEE (run away from or avoid) our responsibilities. And if we find a task overwhelming, we may react by SURRENDERING (believing it is hopeless and that we are helpless, so we give up). Our limbic or 'mammalian brain' is the seat of our emotions, which are valuable messengers, if we listen to them. The problem is, whenever we experience a negative emotion, such as fear or anger, we automatically REACT by fleeing, fighting, or surrendering. In our case (as humans), our 'reptilian and mammalian brains' work as a team and form what can be called our 'old brain.' Designed to protect, it now holds us back. Using our old brain to guide us is like using a vacuum tube in a microchip world. Don't send your thinking brain (neocortex) on vacation by living your life on autopilot, unless you want to be a zombie! Why don't more people do something about this and correct their behavior? Well, easier said than done! You see, first of all, we are PROGRAMMED to flee, fight, or surrender from real or imagined threats. This isn't always bad. For instance, suppose I am crossing a street and suddenly a speeding car comes veering in my direction. If I were to stop to think and analyze the situation, I could very well get run over and killed before reaching a conclusion. The fact is, sometimes there's no time to think. That's why we are programmed to react to danger without thinking.