Polyvagal Spiritual Map
Polyvagal Spiritual Map is a Modern / Porges-derived — polyvagal spiritual application body system as transmitted through the lineage Polyvagal Theory proposes an evolutionary and neurophysiological account of autonomic regulation, social engagement, mobilisation, and shutdown. Spiritual applications are later editorial syntheses; this map keeps those applications distinct from the theory's empirical claims.. This page lists every point in the system with sourced placements and links to cross-tradition correspondences curated for The Body Spiritual.
Open in interactive explorerPrimary sources
- Stephen W. Porges, The Polyvagal Theory (W.W. Norton, 2011) — Foundational exposition of polyvagal theory, autonomic states, social engagement, mobilisation, and shutdown.
- Stephen W. Porges, Polyvagal Safety (W.W. Norton, 2021) — Applied discussion of safety, co-regulation, and therapeutic contexts.
Known lineage variants
- Polyvagal Theory remains debated in parts of neuroscience; the three-state body projection is a teaching simplification, not a literal three-zone organ map.
- The spiritual layer is editorial and should not be mistaken for Porges's theory or for proof that a spiritual state is biologically located in face, trunk, or belly.
- Ventral, sympathetic, and dorsal labels are used as broad state metaphors. The vagus channels shown are diagrammatic relations, not visible nerves.
Related systems
No other systems share this tradition label.
Points
- Ventral social face — safety and connection
- Ventral heart — co-regulation
- Sympathetic trunk — mobilisation and defence
- Dorsal belly — shutdown and stillness
Frequently asked
What is Ventral social face?
The face and voice are mapped as social-engagement cues in the ventral-vagal teaching frame. The spiritual label of connection is an editorial application, not a claim that safety is stored in facial tissue.
What is Ventral heart?
The heart region is an editorial anchor for felt safety and relational co-regulation. It is not a claim that the ventral vagal state is a heart organ state.
What is Sympathetic trunk?
The trunk represents mobilisation and defensive activation in the map's simplified state model. It is not a discrete sympathetic organ or a diagnostic region.
What is Dorsal belly?
The belly is used as a visual anchor for stillness, collapse, and shutdown language in popular polyvagal teaching. The placement is editorial and does not anatomically locate dorsal vagal function in the abdomen.