It seems that the amygdala sets up primitive templates that serve as a mechanism for matching the threat and non-threat appraisals. A mental template of “snake,” for instance, might be established, such that any long, thin, dark object is matched and creates an emotional reaction (whether it is a stick or snake). Where do these templates come from? Are they wired in? Could Carl Jung (1955) be correct when he suggested that there are certain archetypes that we have inherited from our ancestors?
Our current understanding of the operations of the amygdala is not sufficient to answer this important question about archetypal inheritance, though it does appear that at least some of the primitive templates are acquired (“learned”) after birth. Recent research findings suggest at the very least that the physiological modifications that we make in our physical and cortical structures when confronted with threat can be passed on at birth to our children. Furthermore, it appears that templates (whether created before or after birth) are not subject to the usual decay function. Apparently, we never lose these templates. There really are “unforgettable” fears. And this is where it gets interesting and where the amygdala can run us into trouble when it is engaged many miles and years away from the African Savannah.
It is not just snakelike objects that end up as matches to amygdala templates; we also create interpersonal templates. If we were traumatized as a young child by a man with a white beard, then we are likely to create a template that alerts us in the future to any man we encounter who has a white beard. We have an immediate, short term reaction to white bearded men and this emotional reaction is only tempered after our cortex processes the data in a more rational manner and concludes that this particular man is not a danger to us.
We then correct our impressions—or do we? Perhaps there is a lingering fear, a subtle background emotion that influences our relationship with this person? This is the interesting and most important feature associated with the operations of the amygdala. When does the amygdala (which never forgets) cease to have an influence regarding specific relationships in our life? Do we strengthen our armor or immediately engage our persona when encountering a certain “type” of person?
The Blocked Heart: Wilfred Bion
What does it mean to block off or deny the existence of our heart? Put in somewhat less poetic terms. why do we block out and deny our feelings? Reich and Feldenkrais agree that Anxiety is a primary culprit. How then do we address the anxiety that serves as a barrier between our daily life and our heart. While our team has been brought in to provide a diagnosis, it might be time as we close this essay to consider at least one of the treatment options. One member of our diagnostic team, Wilfred Bion, has quite a bit to say in this regard.
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