YOUR THREE BRAINS: How Are You Using Them?
Did you know that you have three brains? I didn’t until a few years ago. Imagine my astonishment when I was informed that we have more than one brain! I can still hear myself exclaiming, “What do you mean, ‘we have three brains?’” upon hearing that information. The truth is that we do, and each “brain” in our body governs specific actions and responses to stimuli. While we must get out of our heads and into our bodies if we want to engage all of our brains fully, the important thing is to understand when and how to engage each of them. Here are some basic descriptions of how the three brains support us.
Brain Location: The Heart
The heart space is the seat of your desire in its purest sense. I’m not just talking about romantic desire, I’m talking about all desires. This is where your inspiration comes from to write that new book, try that new cuisine, travel to that new destination, pursue that new career path, move to that new home, etc. The heart space governs what you want. If you sense a desire, explore it because your heart is sharing important information with you about what you want from the most authentic part of yourself.
Brain Location: The Gut
The gut space houses your intuition. This “brain” elicits gut reactions like butterflies in the belly or your heart skipping a beat when you encounter something that thrills you. It also causes the hair to rise on the back of your neck, your heart to sink, or feel a pit in your stomach when you encounter something that doesn’t feel safe or good to you. There are many more gut reactions you can sense as well. Sense what comes up for you.
Brain Location: The Head
The head brain is in charge of implementing our desires and intuitions. For example, If you desire to take a trip, you will use your brain to figure out how to make it happen. If you find yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in, you will use your brain to figure out how to get out of it. If you have something you want to do but feel unsure about timing, you can use your brain to discern your timing and make a plan for realizing your passion.
Use your brains in a powerful way
Gabor Mate, world-renowned trauma therapist and author of the book, When The Body Says No, once said that people experience trauma when they aren’t following the calling of their authentic selves. I agree. The best way to use your brains powerfully is to use them as they were intended to be used. Follow your body’s breadcrumbs. We’ve been taught, erroneously, to rely heavily on reason and to minimize desire and intuition. Interestingly, the head-brain is wired to keep us safe and from stepping into the unknown. (Live with the devil you know, right??? Ewww!) If you’ve had an experience of desiring something, only to talk yourself out of the desire later, you’re over-using your brain. The best way to tell if you are on the right track is if your desire both scares and excites you. Living a life where you experience some discomfort is fine and useful if it means you’re testing and expanding your limits and forging a new path because discomfort is part of growth. Let yourself desire things. Trust your intuition. And know that you are heading in a direction that is right for YOU.