Nine domains of integration

Nine domains of integration
This is the type of integration work that goes beyond unification work in those with dissociative identity disorder. See integration for dissociative identity disorder work.

Introduction to integration by Dr. Daniel Siegel

Integration is bringing separate things together within awareness, into a functional whole.


 * I. Integration of Consciousness
 * How an individual perceives "something" is influenced by past experience. This prior learning is referred to as "top down constraints," and it suffocates a new experience, by shaping the way we encounter that new experience. The new experience is referred to as "bottom up information." The combination of top down constraints and bottom up information is what is experienced in consciousness.   Without integration, an individual will lead a dull life, and feel fuzzy headed; not present. The goal of integration is to be in the present, and not let a new experience be constrained by previous information.  Work on this form of integration involves focus in a mindful way.   Mindful awareness, at a deep neural level of consciousness is an invitation that allows us to approach things as if they were new.


 * II. Bilateral (Horizontal) Integration
 * Neural integration, such as horizontal and vertical integration is fundamental to Self organization, and the brains ability to create a sense of Self. Horizontal integration involves the two hemispheres of the brain, the right and the left. These two halves are differentiated from each other. Innate causes can affect differentiation, and thus impair linking. These include: autism, nonverbal learning disabilities, and attachment issues.  The key to this type of integration is to acknowledge that the process that occurs in each hemisphere of the brain is equally valued and accepted. In other words, we need our rational left hemisphere, and we need our emotional right hemisphere equally. The acceptance of this is important to integration.


 * III. Vertical Integration
 * What is referred to as vertical integration (because the brainstem and limbic area are below the cortex) involves three regions: 1.) brainstem: 2.) limbic area, 3.) cortex. Vertical integration is a part of the conscious experience, and is affected by early attachment. This step in integration is an invitation to the brainstem, limbic and bodily states (all non linear, non verbal, non logical) to be fully present in awareness. Outside of consciousness these processes can remain unlinked, but by awareness, we invite linkage.


 * IV. Integration of Memory
 * See memory for more detail, but in short, memory is laid down as initial encoding in implicit forms of perception, bodily sensation, emotion, and behavioral response into bits of explicit factual and autobiographical memory storage. The normal process is for a child to develop a sense of Self across time. The memory laid down is then integrated by the hippocampus, into explicit memory. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that takes "puzzle pieces" of implicit memory and processes them.  If this naturally occurring process is blocked due to trauma, it results in implicit memory retaining its original state. This is felt as a flashback, and other phenomena in which an individual is influenced by their past, without the understanding of where the feelings are coming from.  Awareness invites the processing of trauma memory. Memory processing should not be done without the help of a trauma trained therapist.


 * V. Narrative Integration
 * In narrative integration, we take the ability of the left hemisphere to organize information into a linear event, and the memory storage of the right hemisphere, and we are then able to tell a story of our life. In narrative integration we are consciously attempting to link the past, present and future (anticipated) events of our life. With mindfulness, we can find the ability to be fully in the present as we experience the past. Journaling is especially helpful in this type of integration.


 * VI. State Integration
 * Certain states can be triggered and display inappropriate behavior. To get back to a state where we display good behavior we need to work on awareness. Relationships with others influence who the Self becomes, but our state of being in the moment, is affected greatly by how an individual has adapted to past experience. Different states can have conflicting needs, and understanding this aids in integration of states.


 * It's ideal for good mental health, to link the many states that make up our personality. The goal is not to obtain a homogenous being, since humans simply are not homogenous. The goal instead is to link/integrate our various states.  Those individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder have the most work ahead of them, but this is a process that all humans work on throughout life.


 * VII. Interpersonal Integration
 * This is the process of internal change, to aid in the intimate linking to other individuals.

The connection of relationships and integration by Dr. Daniel Siegel 


 * VIII. Temporal Integration
 * Temporal integration is the differentiation of our longing for things to be certain, permanence, and immortality. The ability to embrace these three factors aids in this form of integration. Life is not certain, and we need to embrace the conflict of the fact there is impermanence and out need for permanence. All things change, and all living things die. The understanding that we will die is probably unique to humans, and this ability helps us to anticipate the future, map the past and be in the present.


 * IX. Transpirational Integration
 * This is the final form of integration, and it moves across the other eight domains. It is a connecting of all things, and feeling whole. It is the awareness that we are not separate, we are connected. It is the delusion that we are separate that keeps us from being part of the bigger whole. If we understand this, then we work for the common good, instead of being isolated.

Introduction to integration by Dr. Daniel Siegel