Module Four: Nonjudgmental Awareness

Abstract

Stress responses and negative emotions last longer when different areas of the brain and body mutually activate each other. If this happens, these vicious cycles can override the natural regulation mechanisms in the brain and in the body. One vicious cycle that contributes to the maintenance of negative emotions occurs when the amygdala detects a potential threat. The amygdala then alerts the prefrontal cortex, which focuses thought and attention onto the potential threat to analyze the situation and determine the most effective response. However, if the focus by the prefrontal cortex on the problematic aspects of the situation does not lead to a solution, this problem-focused thinking will further activate the amygdala which will in turn cue the prefrontal cortex to focus even more attention on the problem. The resulting vicious cycle of negative thinking and undesired emotions can be prevented or interrupted with ART Skill #3—Nonjudgmental Awareness.