Introduction to Polyvagal Theory & it's Impact on Creativity
What's Safety got to do with Writing | Vol. I
My Fellow Writer,
I am so excited to welcome you to Volume I of The Muse Master Newsletter. I bet you’re here to learn how to master your nervous system and tap into higher realms of creativity and your maximum biological potential. This publication is designed for just that.
As a reminder, every week (Mondays), you'll receive this nice little package in your inbox where we’ll focus on three essentials of The Muse Master:
Education aka What The Nerv?
Embodiment aka Love Your Nerv
Writing Prompt aka Regulate & Create
The podcast version of this newsletter will also be available on Thursdays.
I want every week to be informative but also actionable. Your feedback, comments, and questions are welcome in the comments section and our private chat. You can also email me by replying to any of the newsletters.
As a reminder, this newsletter or any content from The Muse Master is not intended to be therapy or replace any professional mental health services.
The central idea behind The Muse Master is that everyone, given the right tool for their nervous system stage, can write a good story.
In other words, everyone is a writer.
This may come as a surprise to many, and I understand that. We’ve been told that to be a Writer or an Artist, you must have certain capabilities or talents. You have to graduate with an MFA or have written bestsellers by age 27.
I am calling Bullshit on that. I am telling you that given the right nervous system, anyone can be a good writer.
To further understand the relationship between our Muse and our Nervous System, let’s explore our very first concept in What the Nerv.
What The Nerv?
The term we’ll explore today is The Polyvagal Theory.
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges in the 1990s and then later translated into clinical application in a therapeutic setting by Deb Dana, The Polyvagal Theory is called The Science of Safety.
Clinical Definition
Polyvagal Theory is a neurophysiological model that explains how the autonomic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, functions in response to perceived threats and safety cues, impacting our emotional states and social behaviors.
It is the study of the evolution of our autonomic nervous system and its influence on human behavior & potential.
The basis of the Polyvagal Theory is the understanding that we are wired for connection, and thus, our ability to feel safe and connect with others is a primary biological imperative.
The Muse Master Definition
Here at The Muse Master, we see The Polyvagal Theory as the language and a map of the Nervous System. We’ve been given this beautiful yet complex system that does its best to keep us safe by taking us away from danger (Flight), sometimes running towards it (Fight) or, by hiding from it (Freeze).
The key word here is “safe”. It is underscored by the fact that a quest for safety is the basis of a successful life.
Safety, as it turns out, is not defined (according to Polyvagal Theory) as a removal of threat. It is an embodied safety. We have to feel safe in our bodies, only then our Nervous System can be in a rest & digest state or what we call in The Muse Master as “light up your Muse” stage.
When we begin to understand the language of our Nervous System, we can then slowly guide it back to safety. Why safety? Because we cannot create when we are scared.
Let’s say there was a tornado warning in your town tonight. This is not the time to think about long-term creative projects such as kitchen renovations. This is the time to board up the windows, grab your emergency pack, and go somewhere safe.
Our Nervous System does its best to keep us safe, but it is a complex system. In the olden days, a “danger” may have meant a tiger attacking you or the fear of being outed by your tribe. In today’s world, our Nervous System can get triggered by unpaid bills, a phone call with your mom, or writing an article for Substack that will be viewed and perhaps judged by others.
It took me months to understand my Nervous System and coax it to safety before I could sit down to edit some of my previously written work about a difficult time in life.
Polyvagal Theory is that map that guides us to safety so we can rest, digest, heal, and create.
Next week, we’ll explore the Stages of the Nervous System that will help you understand the life cycle of your Creative journey even more.
Right now, let’s do a recap on The Polyvagal Theory.
Called The Science of Safety
Based on the evolution of our Autonomic Nervous System
Language and a Map of our Nervous System
Quest for Safety is the basis for living a successful life
Gives us an understanding between feeling safe and being creative
Love Your Nerv
This is your first embodiment practice. We’ll keep it simple, especially after the heavy theory in the first section. If the concept of Polyvagal Theory is new to you or words like vagus nerve or autonomic nervous system seem daunting, it is totally normal. In a few weeks, you will become fluent in the language of the Nervous System. For now, accept whatever it is that you are feeling in your body.
The embodiment practice below is simple but don’t underestimate the profound impact of it. Here it is:
Step 1 - Zero down on the feeling or sensation in your body. What is it? Give it a name. Is it irritation? Anger? Hunger? Curiosity? Name it.
Step 2 - Say this aloud or quietly in your mind 3-4 times.
“It is safe for me to feel (name the feeling or sensation) in my body”
“I can hold the feeling of _____________ in my body”
For example;
“It is safe for me to feel irritation in my body. I can hold the feeling of irritation in my body”
Try it.
Bonus Points - Do this once a day for the next 7 days.
Regulate & Create
Wow, you did great in Loving your Nerv today. It sounds like a silly little thing, but it’s a powerful exercise in expanding the capacity of our Nervous System.
If you’re feeling tender after that exercise, you can skip the writing prompt or come back to it later. (Don’t forget to bookmark this email).
If you are ready to get into some juicy writing, set yourself first:
Put your feet on the ground and breathe into them for a few minutes
Take 3 deep inhales and exhale
Smile
Now set a timer for 10 mins and start moving your pen. Don’t judge, don’t edit, don’t stop. Just write.
Write about a time when you felt connected to a person, a place, or a thing.
Use these prompts to get started:
What was it?
Where were you?
How did you feel?
What did you do after?
Great job today! Remember you can come back to this issue and the exercises here anytime you want. Make sure to bookmark it so you can find it easily. Any questions, or feedback, leave them in the comments below or hit reply to this email.
Until next time,
❤️
Deepshikha
P.S.: I was looking for memes on good ol’ Google to lighten up Polyvagal Theory. Could not use this one due to copyright issues, but check it out here. As a baseball mom, watching my son run towards the home plate with my heart in my mouth, I can attest to this feeling 😂