WISE MIND is the blending of Reason Mind and Emotion Mind.
– Reason Mind: “cool,” intellectual, rational, logical, strategic, orderly, rigid
– Emotion Mind: “hot,” emotions override thinking, control behavior, powerful influence, fluid
Overactive Reason Mind: over-analyzing, constant comparing/contrasting, stuck in repetitive loops, calculating, robotic
Overactive Emotion Mind: inconsolable, catastrophic imaginings, emotionally distressed, cannot be reasoned with
WISE MIND is the MIDDLE PATH (that balances Reason Mind and Emotion Mind).
Wise Mind is accessing your inner wisdom by maintaining harmony between your emotions and reasoning.
Wise Mind is the ability to participate in the moment being:
- emotionally balanced AND reasonable
- compassionate AND logical
- showing empathy AND setting boundaries
- with warmth AND with clarity
- lovingly AND rationally
- comforting AND solution-focused
Being in WISE MIND allows you to function optimally.
APPLY THE SKILL:
In a current situation that has been challenging for you, consider how you’ve been operating from Emotion Mind and also where Reason Mind is at work. How would things change if you were to approach the situation with a healthy balance of logic and emotion?
Reference: Linehan, M.M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Inner Renovations Toolbox 