In this special episode, we talk with the developer of Brainspotting, Dr. David Grand.
David and I connect during one of the difficult weeks of COVID19, with David calling in from his make-shift office on Long Island given the serious outbreak in New York City.
The community from which I broadcast (Sun Valley, Idaho) was also experiencing great stress given a rapid spread of the virus. You can read more about how COVID19 hit mountain towns hard here.
Here are the sixteen mantras from this episode:
Mantra #1: Time distortion is due to being in the subcortex of the brain.
Mantra #2: During this period of existential trauma, we may experience states such as dissociation, shut down, denial, and hyper-hyper vigilance.
Mantra #3: This existential trauma presses on the underlying traumas we are still processing from our childhoods.
Mantra #4: This is not the time to make big decisions.
Mantra #5: This is, however, a time to set your priorities. We are being forced to evaluate what is important and what is not important.
Mantra #6: We must slow down, be curious, and observe.
Mantra #7: We are safe in the present moment; we must bring ourselves back from ruminations about the past and worries about the future and focus on the here and now.
Mantra #8: In the present moment, allow uncertainty, be curious, and mindfully pay attention.
Mantra #9: If not now, when? (Read more about this quote that David describes in greater detail).
Mantra #10: A karmic “pause button” has been hit.
Mantra #11: In adversity, there is opportunity.
Mantra #12: Distractions are a good thing. Embrace hobbies, movies, cleaning, cooking, any other activity that focuses your attention. I will be out in the garden with my hubby this weekend.
Mantra #13: Stop and observe the majesty of nature.
Mantra #14: Be generous to yourself.
Mantra #15: Be generous to others.
Mantra #16: We are in a major “reset” period as a paradigm shift occurs in the world. A foundational principle of Brainspotting, the Uncertainty principle, offers guidance on how we can move as gracefully as possible through this challenging period.
Watch our interview on video:
Here is the image I refer to in the interview (when I asked David for a photo):
Here is the link to the episode with Deb Antinori – and the self-spotting exercise.
More about Dr. David Grand
David Grand, Ph.D. is the developer of Brainspotting, the groundbreaking relational brain-body-mindfulness based method. He is the author of Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change and the co-author of This is Your Brain on Sports. Dr. Grand is involved in humanitarian activities with survivors of 9/11, Katrina and Sandy Hook/Newtown. He is a member of the board of directors of Talk To Me Post Tour Processing (TTMPTP). He has accomplished breakthroughs in performance and creativity with Brainspotting Sports Work and Brainspotting Acting Coaching. Dr. Grand has been widely featured in the media including The NY Times, NBC National News, The Discovery Channel, CNN, MSNBC, Sports Illustrated, and Sirius Radio.
LINKS:
Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change
This is Your Brain on Sports
Biolateral Music/ Sound Healing
Thanks for this. With the International BSP Conference in doubt because of travel due to Covid, it was especially nice to get this information from David. A lot of what i’ve been feeling, both personally and professionally was validated and explained in this interview.
Thanks so much, Jill, for leaving a comment. I am still planning on going to Denver in July for the conference. I hope to see you there!
This was such a wonderful interview. It’s so great to hear the same principles we learn and value as brainspotters in such a simple and understandable manner and in a way that would be universally helpful to anyone who listens.
Thank you, Kathryn and thank you, David for offering this.