The essence of this approach
Somatic Science™ uses the scientific method and metacognition to greatly reduce or minimize unhappiness (developmental trauma). We also incorporate SE™, the polyvagal theory, parts-work and relational dynamics to this end.
In this view, unhappiness is simply being uncomfortable with oneself most or all of the time. It results from adverse childhood experiences (ACE) that cause developmental or persistent trauma. Happiness is simply the absence of suffering - peace, calm and equanimity.
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The aim of our approach is to enjoy life; no more and no less.
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The Somatic Science™ approach is goal-oriented and non-pathologizing. In summary, it works like this:
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Methodology Summary:
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a. Locate our experience inside the body: Discover and explore the qualities of our experience that indicate that we are alive, at the implicit and explicit levels.
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b. Locate our experience outside the body: Experience how as a result of being alive, our biology has evolved a procedural mechanism to achieve safety.
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c. Blend the experiences inside and outside of the body via apperception and metacognition: Discover the simplicity of the experience of the present moment without reference to concepts (thinking).
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d. Refer our blended experiences to our face: Re-boot the relational mechanisms in the vagus nerve by mobilizing incomplete motor expressions in the face (and other body areas).
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e. Restart the attitude of curiosity via the facial present-moment sensors: Use exploratory orienting to detect the external environment and become open to discovery of new experiences.
In this video, Federico explores a simple approach to regulating the nervous system for improved health and a sense of peace. He introduces the notion of the four dimensions of Human Experience:
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Aperception (In this usage a-perception means literally in the absence of perception) is described as the realm of thoughts, memories, feelings, and insights. It's the space where we often get lost in thought about past or future events. Aperception is also underlain by consciousness or intelligence. Consciousness or intelligence is the silent and formless space where these words are typed, read and interpreted right now.
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Interoception: This dimension involves our internal sensations that are often generated by bodily processes, such as breathing, swallowing, and digestion.
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Exteroception encompasses the sensory perceptions we receive from the external world through sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. There are also other more subtle perceptual dimensions as well.
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Behavior: Behaviors connect the inner and outer worlds, involving both voluntary and involuntary motor expressions like speaking, breathing, and heartbeats. Behaviors ALWAYS involve a relationship between the outside of the body and the inside of the body. In this view, most dysregulation in the form of anxiety, worry, fear and other common forms of unhappiness is the result of an incomplete motor expression (Behavior). This expression has already been initiated in the motor cortex (at some moment before now) and is trying to reach the limbs or face to be executed or organized into a coordinated series of movements and facial gestures accompanied by aperceptions, interoceptions and exteroceptions.
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Federico emphasizes the importance of defensive orienting, engaging intentionally with the external environment to ensure safety and down-regulate the threat response cycle. By explicitly paying attention to external stimuli, individuals can signal safety to their nervous systems, entering the rest and digest phase for relaxation. Exploratory orienting is introduced as a biological program fostering curiosity and engagement with external objects. The experience of being present, stimulated interoceptive qualities, and the satisfaction derived from the mere fact of existing contribute to overall well-being. Federico encourages explicit awareness of one's existence and openness to being known, promoting a profound sense of self-awareness and connection with the environment.
