Dr. Martha Beck

And you're just thinking. What? This is not in the movies. But the human amygdala is a frightened animal most of the time. And we all know that if you run at a frightened animal and say, tell me what you want, it doesn't get less frightened. So what you just did was move your nervous system into a state where you can be a field of peace for someone else who's anxious.

No, no, no. There are many tricks. Do you want to do some more? Sure, let's do that. All right, here's one of my favorites. And I got this from a brilliant artist and professor at Harvard, William Ryman, who I was lucky enough to be his teaching assistant for a few years. And this is one of the things that he used to do to get the students to shut down the left side of their brain.

No, no, no. There are many tricks. Do you want to do some more? Sure, let's do that. All right, here's one of my favorites. And I got this from a brilliant artist and professor at Harvard, William Ryman, who I was lucky enough to be his teaching assistant for a few years. And this is one of the things that he used to do to get the students to shut down the left side of their brain.

Well, not shut it down, but to use the right side of the brain as well, because the left side of the brain can't draw very well, I have to tell you this. So all I want you to do is put your stylus there over toward the right. center of your field and write your first name the way you usually sign it.

Well, not shut it down, but to use the right side of the brain as well, because the left side of the brain can't draw very well, I have to tell you this. So all I want you to do is put your stylus there over toward the right. center of your field and write your first name the way you usually sign it.

The way you usually sign it.

The way you usually sign it.

Ooh, that's beautiful. Okay, so now put your stylus just to the left of the signature and now replicate the signature, but this time write it in mirror writing backwards. Take as much time as you need. Gosh.

Ooh, that's beautiful. Okay, so now put your stylus just to the left of the signature and now replicate the signature, but this time write it in mirror writing backwards. Take as much time as you need. Gosh.

Just breathe.

Just breathe.

Can I rub out? Absolutely. You have as many tries as you need. Notice how the rhythm of your hand goes when you're moving right and try to see if you can find that rhythm going the opposite direction.

Can I rub out? Absolutely. You have as many tries as you need. Notice how the rhythm of your hand goes when you're moving right and try to see if you can find that rhythm going the opposite direction.

Using pencil and paper because they're tactile is actually, you're going to have easier access to it because you're going to have more access to the right side of your brain.

Using pencil and paper because they're tactile is actually, you're going to have easier access to it because you're going to have more access to the right side of your brain.

You're doing brilliantly. Mm-hmm. You did it!

You're doing brilliantly. Mm-hmm. You did it!

Yay! No, not terrible. Now, the torture is not over, Stephen.

Yay! No, not terrible. Now, the torture is not over, Stephen.

You said you wouldn't lie. I just meant your first name anyway.