Today we harbor within our bodies all three vagal reactions. Each of these may be initiated when we are caught in an escalating confrontation, beginning with the most recently evolved one, and then proceeding to the older ones. Our first reaction to a challenge is accordingly social engagement, in other words, talking, making eye contact, calming down the situation. If this diplomacy fails then we reluctantly fall back on the older fight-or-flight reaction. Should even this fail and neither victory nor escape from the threat proves possible, then we may lapse into the ancient reptilian state
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