Have you got the brains?

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.

Roz Townsend  www.roztownsend.com

 

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