Rewire Your Brain: Part 3
Britta Van Dun- Apr 21
- 5 min read
Updated: May 12
"within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of All that is, will be and ever was.” ― Anthon St. Maarten
Cultivating Your Inner Wisdom & Intuition
In Part 2 of "Rewire Your Brain,” we explored how to interrupt stress patterns and rewire the brain using simple yet powerful Presence Practices. These sensory-based exercises—like tuning into sound, texture, breath, or touch—are designed to shift your brain activity from the reactive survival regions (e.g., amygdala) into the Sage regions associated with empathy, clarity, and creativity. When practiced consistently, these techniques regulate the nervous system, increase emotional resilience, and lay the neural groundwork for new, life-affirming habits that lead to self-mastery.
Presence Practices serve as both a moment-to-moment reset and a long-term tool for transformation.
By activating these particular regions of the brain, we gently shift from fear and reactivity into clarity and grounded awareness. To up the ante, in Part 3, we'll deepen our exploration of Positive Intelligence: the Sage Powers—five inner responses that allow us to turn towards life’s challenges with grace and insight. The sage powers live in the same brain regions activated by Presence Practices: the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and insula, which are responsible for empathy, big-picture awareness, innovation, and clear decision-making.
Rather than react from our Saboteurs—those outdated strategies rooted in fear or control—we can consciously choose to operate from our Sage, our Wisest Self. Each of the five Sage Powers can be called upon in different moments, depending on the internal or external challenge we’re facing.
Admittedly, this is all very left brain rationale explanation of processes that are happening all the time at subtle levels and are not entirely formulaic. The emphasis here is awareness - what thoughts are being thunked, negative or positive? If negative, interrupt and celebrate your awareness, engage a 10 second Presence Practice and then ask: What Sage Power is most needed here? Essentially, we are slowwwwwwwing down the automated/reactive thought patterns and creating enough pause to course-correct and intentionally choose your next thought. It’s like Lucid Dreaming only we are no longer sleeping.
Without further ado . . . The 5 Sage Powers
1. ACTIVATE
The power to move into action with calm clarity. Use Activate when you already know what needs to be done but feel stuck in procrastination, overwhelm, or self-doubt. Example: When you notice you’re looping into perfectionism—triple-checking an email or delaying a task because it’s not “exactly it”—acknowledge that the Stickler is in the house. Celebrate your awareness for about 10 seconds, allowing yourself to feel empowered for noticing the pattern. Build your capacity by engaging in 10 seconds of a Presence Practice, like rubbing your thumb and index finger together or tuning into your breath. Once you feel a shift, energize Activate by taking one small, clear step forward with intention and trust, like: press pause on the email to re-read and send later with a clear mind or set a timer for 5 minutes to “just start” the task you’ve been putting off.
2. EMPATHIZE
The power of self-compassion and care for others. Use Empathize when you notice harsh self-talk, resentment, or tension in a relationship. Example: When you catch yourself spiraling into self-criticism—perhaps after a mistake or moment of vulnerability—notice that your Judge has taken over. Celebrate your awareness for 10 seconds with a deep breath and a soft heart smile. Then, engage a Presence Practice, such as placing your hand over your heart and feeling its warmth and rhythm. Once you feel more connected to your center, activate Empathize by offering yourself kind, affirming words: “I’m human, and doing my best.” This will soothe the jagged edges and will help you extend compassion to others too.
3. EXPLORE
The power of curiosity and open-mindedness. Use Explore when you’re feeling stuck, confused, or activated by someone else. Example: When you're caught in a reactive loop with a partner or colleague, maybe you notice that you’re starting to withdraw, judge them or yourself, or you’re feeling defensive. Take a moment to recognize that the Avoider, Controller, and/or Judge may be active. Celebrate your awareness by taking 10 seconds to appreciate your ability to observe this moment. Then pause for a Presence Practice, like listening for a sound in the distance or noticing the textures of your clothing. Once grounded, activate Explore by asking yourself, “What else could be true here?” or “What might this person be needing right now?” This shift invites discovery and possibility rather than guardedness and avoidance.
4. INNOVATE
The power to generate fresh, creative solutions. Use Innovate when you're feeling stuck in old patterns. Example: When you notice you’re being super analytic, feeling trapped in a logic spiral, or you need a sense of security before moving forward, identify that your Hyper-rational or Hyper-vigilant Saboteur may be driving the bus. Celebrate your awareness for 10 seconds—this is a win! Then, drop into a Presence Practice, like visually tracking a single color in your environment or taking a few slow belly breaths. Once you feel more open, call in Innovate by asking, “What’s a completely different way I could approach this?” With a lighter heart, let your intuition guide you to new possibilities.
5. NAVIGATE
The power to align with your deeper values and long-term vision. Use Navigate when facing big decisions, life transitions, or complex choices. A great question to ask: "What matters most right now?” Example: When you’re overwhelmed by a major decision and notice urgency, fear of making the wrong choice, or analysis paralysis, acknowledge that Hyper-vigilant, Avoider, or Controller might be operating. Celebrate your awareness for 10 seconds—pausing is already a reset. Then, engage a Presence Practice, such as focusing on the breath entering and leaving your nose or gently tracing the palm of your hand. When you feel steadier, activate Navigate by asking: “What would future-me—5 or 10 years from now—want me to choose today?” or “What aligns most with who I’m becoming?”
To summarize, the 4 quick and easy steps to transform self-defeating thoughts into self-mastery are:
Notice Saboteurs (Awareness)
Celebrate (10 seconds of Acknowledgment)
Build Capacity (10 seconds of a Presence Practice)
Activate your Sage (utilize aspects of your Inner Wisdom)
Wishing you the very best building your burgeoning mental muscles and intentionally utilizing your sage powers. If you have any questions or need support, please don't hesitate to reach out. I’m here for you in-person in Tucson AZ as an intuitive life coach offering acupuncture Chinese Medicine, reiki, and craniosacral therapy, specializing in deep healing and transformation. Virtually, I’m available online via Zoom, FaceTime and phone for intuitive and transformational life coach sessions and distance energy healing.
Xx
Britta
Licensed Acupuncturist, Online Life Coach, Intuitive, Healer, Energy Medicine Practitioner
📞 917-519-2432
For more information about Positive Intelligence: https://www.positiveintelligence.com/
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