Have
you got the brains for life?
What is a
brain? Could you point to your
brain? Did you know that as early as
1907 Byron Robinson wrote a book called The Abdominal and Pelvic Brain and that
this book only just missed out on being the
standard text book on anatomy.
Would you
accept that a brain is a collection of neurons?
That it has a neural network ?
That it remembers and learns? It
has intelligence? It adapts its
functional attributes? It mediates
complex reflexes and is a chemical
warehouse of neurotransmitters?
If you
agreed to the above distinctions of a
brain then research at present indicates that we have at least three brains!
Firstly, a
cephallic or head brain which is involved in thinking, meaning and cognitive perception. This brain has 50-100 billion neurons and
creativity is a core function.
Secondly, a
cardiac or heart brain which is involved in emotions, passions, relationships
and values. This brain has 30 000 - 120
000 neurons and its core function is compassion. Hormones secreted from here include oxytocin
and dopamine.
Thirdly, an
enteric or gut brain which is involved in action, self preservation and our core
identity. This brain has 200-500
million neurons, which is about the same as a cat. The core function if this brain could be
considered as courage. Benzodiazepines psychoactive
hormone is released from the gut - these hormones are similar to drugs.
Why could it
be important to consider the impact of this information? Firstly, the real life issues people have are
usually issues of alignment or integration of these three brains thus impacting
their sense of identity. Secondly, how
people use language is a direct result of what is happening in their
neurology. Thirdly our brains take input
from the rest of our body.
Issues can
be quite confronting if we are following our heart our following our head or
following our gut. The best results are
when there is an alignment of head, heart and gut. If we only consider one of these brains
without accommodating the needs of the others then internal conflict
results. A decision in business based
only on logic and without consideration of the people involved or the action
required can often misfire. Similarly, a
decision based purely on passion without a consideration of say the logic ,
costs and steps involved may not work for the best.
What are examples
of the language of these three brains?
Follow your:
head or heart or gut. Trust your: head, heart or gut. Getting to the head, heart or guts of the
matter. Other examples include headless,
heartless, gutless; heady, hearty gutsy; big hearted, big-headed, big guts;
hard-headed, hard-hearted greedy gut; head sick, heart-sick gut-sick.
How do these
three brains play out in your life?
Consider the following with the:
1. Head brain - we
might rethink the way things are done or
reframe boundaries , or understand complexities or think strategically or look for ideas or develop a mission statement or point of view
2. Heart brain - we balance people and business
needs; create trust; develop true compassion in a diverse workplace; know
what's important; understand and overcome obstacles.
3. Gut brain - take risks; balance risk and
reward; act with unyielding integrity; tenaciously pursue what is needed for
success; persevere in face of adversity; make tough decisions.
This information is now so important that new
fields of medicine and research called neuro-cardiology, and
neuro-gastroenterology have developed.
Using the information is about consciousness
and wisdom in decision-making. It is about getting alignment with the
three core functions of compassion,
courage, and creativity.
Examples of heart-based leaders include Richard
Branson and Nelson Mandela. Their hearts lead the way. They might use others to develop the
brains/logic for solutions, but it is their heart or passion which propels them
into action (gut brain).
In general terms if ever you feel like your
heart is not in 'it' then that is a warning sign that you are out of personal
alignment and it is time to stop and rethink your values/passion.
To
read more of these ideas see Roz's latest books Future Words and Love
Well available on Amazon.
Source Marvin Oka Multiple Brain Integration Techniques - Cool
Stuff for the Brains
