"It's not merely that we can't be loving or creative when we're scared; we can't heal." -Stephen Porges In order for us to access our most evolved neural and behavioral resources, we must be in a state of physiological and psychological safety. We'll explore this idea through the lens of something called the the Polyvagal Theory and the Social Engagement System.  This highly evolved system has to do with the 10th cranial nerve called the Vagus Nerve.  As soon as we move into a state of vigilance or defensiveness, we have less access to this very evolved system.  Understanding the Social Engagement System and the Vagus Nerve can help us do three key things: 1) regulate our own internal state, 2) have a better understanding of what other peoples triggers are and how to help them regulate themselves; and 3) create conditions that nurture the social engagement system and increase the chances that are more evolved systems can come online in a given moment.