The gesture of integration offers a way of explaining the process from activation to integration using the hand, showing the dynamic relationship between big brain and lower brain function, in a simple way.

This chapter describes the experience of activation as it relates to brain function. It provides a list of experiences frequently reported by clients that are associated with activation. Here I introduce the most challenging principle of I-brainmap; that we are not trying to stop activation, but to change our relationship with it. Activation is the brain-body attempting to integrate an overwhelming experience or memory, and trying to stop it gives the brain the message that it is still a potential threat.

Secondary activations are typically patterns of behaviour, or habits, in reaction to primary activation. Although initially adaptive, over time they can become mis-adaptive, when we lose our capacity to choose alternative behaviours.

This chapter explains the usual process of meaning making brain function that can perpetuate the activation cycles, through our beliefs and expectations, and the stories we repeatedly tell ourselves.

This chapter describes the process of brain integration in greater detail, while identifying helpful attitudes, and potential challenges, to allow you to more effectively shift, attune and move towards the Integration Zone, or I-Zone.

This chapter explores Orientation and the And Pathway in greater detail and their importance in brain integration and sustainable change. The practical application of Orientation and the AND pathway through I-brainmap is outlined.

In this chapter I explain and unpack the application of the AIRs protocol, during activation. AIRs is the practical application of the principles, brain processes and experience described in the I-brainmap. Moving through the AIRs sequence during activation promotes AND pathways and brain integration.

(Chapters 15-20 outlines each element in the AIRs sequence in greater detail. You can access a copy of the AIRs protocol ⁠here⁠.)

Awareness as it happens is the first principle of the AIRs sequence, like an Aha! This is Activation. Initially recognising and naming Activation as it happens is the beginning of integration, through awareness.

In this chapter, the second principle of the AIRs sequence, Interrupting, is explained, especially how interrupting is different to stopping activation. In this chapter I provide multiple ways you can experiment with interrupting the activation loop, until you begin to develop your own techniques.

Reorienting applies the function of orientation, which is central to integration and sustainable brain change. It invites an orientation to sensory detail, which is the primary language of the lower brain, survival brain, which has been running, and re-running, the activation loop.