signalprocessing. This is the notion that the degree of efficiency and effectiveness of a systemsfunctioning is directly related to the degree to which there is a harmonious organization of theinteraction among the elements of the system. Thus, a harmonious order in the rhythm or patternof activity signifies a coherent system, whose efficient or optimal function is directly related, inDamasios terms, to the fluidity of life processes. By contrast, an erratic, nonharmoniouspattern of activity marks an incoherent system, whose function reflects the strain of lifeprocesses.In operationalizing this approach, we used the pattern of the hearts rhythmic activity as ourprimary physiological marker, as it was the most sensitive measure of changes in emotionalstates. In reviewing the results of our empirical research, we identified six psychophysiologicalmodes distinguished by their physiological, mental, and emotional correlates. These are: MentalFocus, Psychophysiological Incoherence, Psychophysiological Coherence, Relaxation, ExtremeNegative Emotion, and Emotional Quiescence. We showed that different emotions are associatedwith different degrees of coherence in the activity of the bodys systems. While positiveemotions such as appreciation, care, and love drive the system toward increased physiologicalcoherence, negative emotions drive the system towards incoherence.In particular, we highlighted the importance of the psychophysiological coherence mode.Associated with the experience of sustained positive emotions, the coherence mode hasnumerous psychological and health-related benefits, which have been demonstrated by a growingbody of research. Of note are the findings showing a direct relationship between this mode andcognitive performance, as well as data linking this mode to intuition.Using our empirical findings as a point of departure, we constructed a typologya conceptualmapof the reality of psychophysiological interaction. We differentiated twelve primarytypes of psychophysiological interaction, distinguished by their values on two theoreticaldimensions. Each type describes a distinctive physiological substratum that underlies a differentprimary emotion or psychophysiological state. Six of the types signify emotional states typicallyexperienced in the course of everyday life. Qualitatively distinct from the feelings of everydaylife are six additional types of psychophysiological interaction. Discontinuous from thepsychophysiological states of day-to-day life, these are hyper-states of extreme emotionsreflecting the bodys response to extraordinary circumstances. One interesting implication of theINTEGRAL REVIEWDecember 2009Vol. 5, No. 2typology is the prediction of four additional hyper-states of psychophysiological interaction,beyond the two hyper-states that we have been able to document empirically.While our findings on the psychophysiological modes showed that the patterns of the heartsrhythmic activity are clearly reflective of different emotional states, in the second part of thisarticle we also presented an account of the hearts constructive role in the physiologicalprocesses by which emotional experience is generated. According to a model based on Pribramstheory, emotions result from the mismatch between familiar input patterns and current inputpatterns that are different or novel. The heart is the primary source of dynamic rhythmic patternsin the body and possesses extensive communication networks with the brain and other systems.With each beat, it not only pumps blood, but also transmits patterns of neurological, hormonal,pressure, and electromagnetic information through these networks. These multiple inputs to thebrain from the heart contribute significantly to the familiar reference pattern and also to thosedeviations from the familiar that are experienced as changes in emotions.We also presented evidence showing that