By Paul von Bergen
We have been fans of Bruce Lipton for a while now and the more we read and absorb, the more obvious and simple his teachings become.
His core statement is that our thoughts affect our genes. We think thoughts which create emotional chemicals that spread throughout the body. These chemicals interact with the environment around each cell and the state of the cell’s environment affects which genes are switched on or off in that cell.
Whilst we are born with a genetic code and thus predispositions to certain conditions, we do have the ability to affect the likely-hood of those predispositions occurring.
It is increasingly common within modern humans to feel a sense of separation between mind and body and this has the negative effect of creating the illusion that the mind does not influence the state of the body.
The Buddha’s famous quote is that if you want to know how you are feeling now then look at what you have been thinking for the past ten years, and if you want to know how you will be feeling in ten years then look at what you are thinking now!
There is a great analogy in this months Wellbeing magazine from Bruce that says that if you imagine us like a vehicle, then a lot of people perceive themselves as passengers, unable to control the condition or direction of the vehicle when in reality they are an unconscious driver with their foot on the brake and accelerator at the same time. This wears the vehicle out very quickly. Ideally we need to be a conscious driver, constantly refining and improving our skills,taking the best route, using the minimum fuel, stopping when overheating and getting regular services!
The breath can be a vital tool in affecting the autonomic sub-conscious nervous system as a calm and well regulated breathing pattern will send signals to the digestive, nervous and cardiovascular system to relax and rejuvenate. Why don’t we get taught breathing at school!
Watch Bruce’s video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjj0xVM4x1I