Another important cornerstone of the work of polyvagal hypnosis is the use of mindfulness that in our practice links to the concept of what we call "PRESENCE". It is a basic technique we teach in our courses and it is about putting our attention on physical sensations. We observed that doing in this way a change can happen in the mind.

Why?

We interrupt the default mode fonctioning of our mind.

We say default mode,  because in the normal person in reality our mind never really rest it goes in a state of default fonctioning.

Cutting-edge neuroimaging research has shed light on a remarkable aspect of our brain's workings. It turns out that our brains are far from idle when we're simply lounging around. In fact, certain brain regions are bustling with activity more during these downtime moments than when we're engaged in specific tasks. These areas, active while we're at rest, make up what's known as the resting-state networks.

This discovery challenges the longstanding notion that our brains are largely inactive until we need to perform a particular task. Instead, even in moments of rest, our minds are alive with activity – from daydreaming and fantasizing to reminiscing or aimlessly wandering through our thoughts. This isn't mere idleness; it's a rich tapestry of mental exploration and creativity.Imagine, for instance, you're gazing out the window, not particularly focused on anything. Your mind might drift to plans for an upcoming holiday or meander through a maze of past experiences. In these moments, you're engaging your brain's default mode network. 

This network doesn't power down, not even in sleep or under anesthesia; it's always on, with different brain areas chatting away in the background.This behind-the-scenes buzz, known as the brain's default mode network, is surprisingly energy-intensive. It consumes about 20 times the energy the brain uses in response to external stimuli. In other words, a staggering 60 to 80 percent of the brain's energy is spent on these internal, seemingly unrelated processes (Raichle, M. E. (Mar 2010). "The Brain's Dark Energy." Scientific American, 302(3), 44-49). This highlights the incredible amount of our brain's resources devoted to these inner experiences, emphasizing the complexity and perpetual motion of our minds, even in what might appear to be periods of calm.

The brain's resting state involves two key networks: the Default Mode Network (DMN) and the Attention System. The DMN is active during rest, involved in introspection and daydreaming, while the Attention System engages during focused tasks. These systems are anticorrelated, typically not active simultaneously, but they collaborate during creative problem-solving and insight, illustrating the brain's adaptability in merging internal reflection with external focus. This dynamic showcases the intricate balance between our inner and outer experiences, enabling complex mental processes and innovative thinking.
It means  the brain's resting state is far more complex than previously thought, featuring several distinct networks that are active even when we're not engaged in any specific task. Among these networks, two stand out for their high-level functions and their interplay: the default mode network (DMN) and the attention system.

The DMN is particularly fascinating because it's most active when we're at rest—during moments of daydreaming, reminiscing, or pondering abstract ideas. This network, characterized by increased metabolic activity and blood flow in a relaxed state, tends to quiet down when we shift our focus to goal-oriented tasks. It's as if the DMN is the brain's "idle mode," bustling with activity when we're not consciously engaged in external tasks.

On the other side, we have the attention system, which springs into action when we're focused on specific tasks. Unlike the DMN, the attention system dials down during rest periods, conserving its resources for moments when precise, task-oriented cognition is required.

These two systems operate in a sort of push-and-pull dynamic, often described as being anticorrelated. This means that when one is active, the other tends to be less so. But this isn't just a simple on-off relationship; it's more of a sophisticated balance that allows for complex mental processes. For instance, when we're engaged in creative problem-solving or trying to gain new insights, both networks collaborate in a unique way. The DMN, with its rich internal focus, can influence the attention system, guiding it in a more controlled manner. This top-down processing allows for innovative thinking and the ability to run mental simulations, blending past experiences and abstract ideas to navigate new challenges.

This dynamic interplay between the inner, reflective world of the DMN and the outer, task-focused attention system underscores the brain's incredible versatility. It's a testament to how our internal thoughts and external attentions are woven together, enabling us to engage with the world in rich and varied ways.