Affective core consciousness and the instroke

Abstract

Solms and Panksepp have revolutionised concepts of consciousness and unconsciousness. Consciousness is generated by the id, in the brainstem, arises endogenously and is affective. Subjectivity is not corticocentric but located in the upper brainstem. Cortical consciousness is built upon this subjectivity and could not exist without brainstem consciousness. But the reverse is possible. The classical body representation in the cortex is an object representation located in brain areas that create all representations but an internal subjective body exists in the brainstem as the subject of perception. The author reviews 35 years of working with the instroke of the pulsation, which leads to two further developments: the endo self-state and the understanding that the relationship with the self is the most primary relationship. Solms and Panksepp’s work supports both developments grounding these in the functioning of a brainstem subjectivity. In addition, there is encouragement for Reich’s model of the importance of the body, the vegetative system and working with primary emotions.