Mirror neurons and Imagination

The presence of mirror neurons in the brain was discovered by Giacomo Rizzolatti, Vittorio Gallese and Leonardo Fogassi of the University of Parma.

Mid-1990s these neuroscientists explored which brain cells are activated when a monkey used his hands. To their surprise the neurons in the pre- motor cortex of the macaque not only fired when the animal picked up a peanut, but they also lit up when he saw one of the researchers doing the same!

The investigation into this resonant neurons moved quickly to human brains.

MRI scans and EEG' s showed that our brain reacts when we see other people's actions. Mirror neurons are neurons that are active when you observe what anybody else does. 

This is done at the same place in the brain as the person who performs the action. When we see how someone strikes with a hammer on his finger, we react instinctively with our own hands. Seeing images have the same impact as if the same thing happens to you.

Through Imagination you can make your inner images conscious. With guided imagery or imagination exercises you can give your brain an incentive to generate inner images. Mental images provide access to deeper sources within yourself. In this way you get to know yourself better and you develop your brains where mirror neurons are active.

Mirror neurons do more than just mirror. Besides imitating other people's behaviour, they also help to adjust behaviour. 

It is precisely this lack of adequate responses to other people's behaviour which is most noticeable in people with autism. Empathy - the ability to move into the world of another person has to do with the action of mirror neurons. This is developed through contact with other human beings.

Autistic's have this feature less developed.Even borderline, narcissism and other personality disorders have already been linked to a dysfunctional mirror system.

When we look at another person, we seldom escape from the tendency to imitate the other person. When we see someone smile, we automatically smile back. By imitation you can better feel what the other feels. Imitation has an effect on your own emotions. If you like eye contact, people noticed that you feel interest in them. The same for you when someone reacts emotionally you can better empathize.

Visual experiences are not necessarily required for the development and functioning of the mirror neurons. In blind subjects were mirror activity in the same areas of the brain as subjects who had both sound and image.

When blind people hear the activities of others, they use the same network and parts of the brain as sighted people use. The use of the visual part of the brain for non- visual recognition for the blind shows that there no visual experience or visual images are needed in order to form an image

http://www.innerlijke-beelden.nl 

Inner images

Unconscious images exert a powerful influence on your life.
These images are linked to emotions and wrong conclusions formed in childhood and which have not grown with the personality that has matured. This unconscious influence hinders the growth of your total being.

 
An infant, a very small child, knows only the primitive emotions of good or bad. If it gets his way the child experiences love and joy. If not, the child experiences sadness and anger.
From this child emotions are drawn general conclusions about how life is. 
These emotions and conclusions sink into the unconscious and later denied and repressed. This is called an image.

You grown up together with this still immature emotional layer, what creates shame, guilt and fear in life. However being an adult, subconsciously you are still emotionally reacting like a child.
The tragic of these images is that they have power over you and make sure that the events in your life confirm your unconscious conclusions.
While you have conscious desires and goals in your life, these images cause conflicts and negative attitudes. The less you are aware of that emotional layer, the stronger the effects are. Instead of reaching your desired goals, you encounter blockade and problems and you don 't know why, what makes you desperate.

You could check in your life how events keep repeating themselves, which always lead to a vicious circle you can't get out. Fulfilment is constantly unable, it seems that the world, fate works against you, while your inner images create all this for you.
When you can make the link to your childhood, you'll see and feel this emotional layer and false conclusions you made in your childhood. In that time it was certainly your survival, but as a grown up adult this is working against you.

It is therefore important that these inner images become aware, because only what is coming to light can grow. Than you'll find also your hidden possibilities and power, your inner resource, which can help resolve your inner conflicts, so that you finally find your real self.

http://www.innerlijke-beelden.nl