energies · X / XX · Sphere C · Mind & Pattern · All 20
There is a window you are inside of.
Sometimes you tip upward: anger, panic, hyperactivity. Sometimes downward: numbness, freeze. And sometimes, in between, you are simply there: accessible, present, able to learn. Dan Siegel gave that in-between a name. The Window of Tolerance.
Do you know the moment when you can no longer listen even though you want to? Your window is too narrow right now. Either too much arousal or too much freeze. It has a name, a physiological mechanism, and a way back.
I · Structure · Measurable
Polyvagal theory (Stephen Porges 2011) operationalises the window via vagal tone. Ogden & Fisher (2015): Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is built entirely on this model. Clinically effective in PTSD treatment, but in parts theoretically contested (Grossman 2023, Lewis 2020). We take the model pragmatically, not dogmatically.
II · Flow · Tradition
Buddhist teaching: the middle way. Not too tight, not too slack (Pāli Canon, Aṅguttara Nikāya). Daoism: Wu Wei as action from the point of balance.
III · Breadth · Synthesis
Trauma therapy today (Levine, van der Kolk, Schwartz) works primarily with widening the window. Window-widening is measurable: as HRV increase plus reduced cortisol response to standard stressors.
„Inside the window you are accessible. Outside it you are only reaction.“
Window of Tolerance · Polyvagal
Try it: where are you right now?
The dots simulate stimuli. Watch how the marker moves, and how the breath button brings it back.
Over-arousal · hyper
Window of Tolerance
Under-arousal · hypo
polyvagal status · what is running in you now
Write a sentence. The Seer senses where you are.
Porges has shown: your nervous system is never simply “on” or “off”. It is in one of three states: socially connected, mobilised, or withdrawn. We help you see your current one.
Ventral-Vagal
socialis · connected, calm
The “safe-and-connected” mode. Breath calm, voice soft, eyes open, relationship possible. Here we can learn.
vagal tone high · HRV high · social engagement active
Sympathetic
mobilisatio · fight or flight
Mobilised for action. Heart rate high, muscle tone raised, attention focused. In daily life permanently active where it does not belong. The body does not distinguish between sabre-tooth tiger and inbox.
cortisol high · breath fast · focus narrow
Dorsal-Vagal
immobilisatio · shutdown
The “freeze” mode. Energy withdraws inward, connection is interrupted. A protective response to overwhelming threat.
HRV low · metabolism down · dissociation possible
Classification · Porges (Polyvagal theory) · AI-assisted, not diagnostic
- 1 · Dan Siegel · Window of Tolerance · 1999
- 2 · If you briefly checked where you are right now while reading. Yes, that already counts.