Hi All,

This I copied from DNA Monthly and was allowed to post it.These newsletters have often very interesting articles and would like to share this one with you.
Hope you enjoy it.
Love, Pinky

Linkt to its source in DNA Monthly, http://www.potentiation.net/page13.html,

Introducing Our Second & Third Brains: We Do Think with Our Heart & Instinct
Gabriella Kortsch
Neuroscientists have finally done it! They have demonstrated that we have a brain in our heart and another in our intestines. What we have in each of these, in actual fact, is an extensive mass of neurons that behave in a fashion similar to the neurons contained in the brain, and that appear to function at mega-speeds, often much greater than those of our cerebral neurons.

Our Second Brain
The second brain consists of about 100 billion nerve cells in the digestive tract --a greater number than in the spinal cord. Professor W. Prinz of the Max Planck Institute for Psychological Research in Munich indicated to Geo Magazine that it is possible that unconscious decisions are made by the stomach network, and are later claimed by the main brain as conscious decisions of its own.

This second brain was brought to light by neuro-biologist Michael Gershon of New York's Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, author of The Second Brain. When asked if the brain in our heads influences our second brain, he replied that it does, and that we get butterflies in the stomach when the brain sends a message of anxiety to the gut. This, in turn, sends messages back to the brain that it is not happy. However--and this is perhaps the most riveting part--the brain in the gut can also work in isolation.

The Third Brain
With his revolutionary research the University of Montreal's pioneer neurocardiologist J. Andrew Armour first introduced the concept of a functional heart brain in the 1990s. This brain in the heart-like the brain in the digestive tract--may also act independently of the brain in the head. The size of this brain, according to California's Institute of HeartMath is as great as a number of the principle areas of the brain in the head. Studies discussed in Brain and Values have shown that the consistency of the rhythm found in the heart brain is capable of changing--sometimes in spectacular fashion--how effectively the thinking brain functions. In theory, this means that what occurs on a feeling level has the capacity to deeply influence what occurs on a thinking level.

In The HeartMath Solution, co-authored by Doc Childre and H. Martin, an in-depth look is taken at the heart and its association with the mind and body. This contributes to the newly emerging view of the heart as a complex, self-organized system that maintains a continuous two-way dialogue with the brain and the rest of the body. Research available at the HeartMath website and published in major medical journals demonstrates that the heart has a significant influence on the function of our brains and all our bodily systems.

Imagine the implications! Those who live by "instinct," who "listen" to their gut, who make decisions based on what their heart tells them rather than their logical brain, now know that although that may not necessarily always be the right way to go, the evidence clearly shows that in order to make decisions based on all of their knowledge, they should apply not only that which their logical brain tells them, but also what their feeling brain (heart) and instinctive brain (gut) have given them to understand.

Cutting-edge Research
Keeping up with cutting-edge research is fascinating because you are able to discover what is happening in the intriguing world of avant-garde thought and progress long before any of it hits the mainstream. Thus you can begin to apply new information long before everyone else is talking about it. The only reason that is important is because being at the forefront can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life--sometimes just because it changes the way you think about things.

As an example, a relatively recent (2006) article by Alex Celma in the weekend supplement of the Spanish daily El Pais referred to the value of tenderness, not just in the sense of tenderness in relationships, but how tenderness can be implicit in thinking actions and make a difference in decisions. A few weeks later, an article in the German weekly Der Spiegel referred to the fact that more and more researchers, psychologists, neuroscientists and even philosophers are paying record amounts of attention to the study of intuition, some of whom have gone so far as to state that human intuition is much sharper and stronger than reason.

Albert Einstein stated that "the intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." Clearly, he recognized the priceless value of intuition over reason, while simultaneously expressing that reason evidently plays an important role. Concurring with Aristotle who said that "intuition is the source of scientific knowledge," Einstein also stated, "I believe in intuition and inspiration; at times I feel certain I am right while not knowing the reason."

Antonio Damasio, the Iowa University-based neuroscientist and author of the highly acclaimed Looking for Spinoza: Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain, has demonstrated, based on extensive experience and studies with neurological patients, that every decision an individual makes needs an emotional impulse, because human beings cannot act based purely on reason. In his earlier book Descartes's Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain, Damasio insisted that the renowned philosopher’s axiom "I think, therefore I am" is a mistake, and that it should read: I feel, therefore I am--which became the motivational slogan of Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence.

Paying Attention to All Our Brains
Robert K. Cooper, author of The Other 90%: How to Unlock Your Vast Untapped Potential for Leadership and Life, writes that many people have learned not to pay attention to the butterflies in the stomach (gut) and what the heart is feeling because it is so much easier to let the head lead the way, thus trampling over possibly better choices that might put all of the different sources of intelligence to use.

As a society we have very much undermined and sabotaged the knowing we receive from our feelings and intuition. Even when we are wont to give such knowing value, due to consistent and damaging connotations connected to feelings and intuition, we often hesitate to give them any consideration when they arise in us. Research such as that described in this article is very encouraging, because it may persuade many who might not otherwise do so to pay greater attention to such knowing, and to begin to use it in their daily lives.


Copyright (c) 2008 by Gabriella Kortsch. All Rights Reserved.

[Gabriella Kortsch, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, relationship coach, author, professional speaker and radio show host who has appeared in numerous television programs. She can help you move towards greater personal and relationship success with her integral approach to life and offers workshops in the field of self-development and choosing responsibility for the self. Visit http://www.advancedpersonaltherapy.com for more information, to listen to her weekly radio show in English, and to sign up for her newsletter in English or Spanish.]

Hi Pinky

As always thought provoking and inspirational. I had heard of the Heart brain but not the digestive tract. One can see the implications for QT. By spending longer in those two areas one can calm these nerve centers as one does with the head and explains why there is a feeling of upliftment from a whole body session.

Thanks again - keep them coming
Love
Wendy

YEP Wendy, I love too but some are still stowed away in my second(heart) and third(gut) brain and am waiting for those brainwaves to appear. Never know when they are coming it might be like a Whooooooooosh. Some still might be a bit , , and some might be , , or ing.

But seriuosly I have noticed giving QT to the stomach a lot and I mean a LOT gets cleared and its my favourite handposition at this moment. I love the rumbling that starts after some time and the big satisfactory sigh, aaaahhhhh.

and as you so rightly wrote [quote]"By spending longer in those two areas one can calm these nerve centers as one does with the head and explains why there is a feeling of upliftment from a whole body session"[quote]

Love, Light and Happiness, Pinky

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pinky,

Pinky

That reminds me. I teach many of my clients especially the very stressed ones, to lie with their hands on the solar plexus and breathe into them, while imagining/visualising a golden ball of light there, growing larger and eventually filling the whole abdominal cavity. This is wonderfully relaxing and calming. I know of one headmaster that I taught who says he uses it regularly with very good results.

Love
Wendy

Wendy, what a super idea thanks for telling.

quote:

That reminds me. I teach many of my clients especially the very stressed ones, to lie with their hands on the solar plexus and breathe into them, while imagining/visualising a golden ball of light there, growing larger and eventually filling the whole abdominal cavity. This is wonderfully relaxing and calming. I know of one headmaster that I taught who says he uses it regularly with very good results.

Love,Pinky

Hi Pinky,

Once again, good stuff! I clicked on the link and I did'nt get far. Is this article from the Gaia newsletter?

Much Love

Hi Mahri,

I do'nt know about gaia but I managed to copy the link. The article was from Phoenix regenetics it's all very interseting stuff.

Subscriptions.
Visit http://www.phoenixregenetics.org/page13.html and fill out the easy online subscription form. You will receive our current and future issues free via email.

Blessings, Pinky

Hello,

I'm the author of the article about the second and third brains. So glad you found it of interest, as it is truly a monumentally important subject, about which I write a lot on my blog and website.

It appeared in DNA Monthly, the monthly newsletter of Regenetics (http://www.phoenixregenetics.org/page13.html).

Cheers from Spain,

Gabriella

Hi Gabriella,

Glad to meet you. Saw your website and read your first article "can you Forgive" it's very good have not read your other articles yet.

Thank you.
Love, Light and Happiness, Pinky

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pinky,

Hi Gabriella,

Your article Can You Forgive is very good. I love the correlation you made between the past and present. Nicely done.

I will be following up on the rest of your articles and viewing more of your web site.

Many Blessings,
Mhari

Hi Pinky and Mhari,

Thanks for all the encouraging remarks about my articles...there are truly many, both on the blog and on the website. My main purpose in writing them, is to promote the understanding that we all need to be aware of ourselves, as in "conscious" of ourselves (not self-conscious), in order to get to a place where we are able to make choices.

Anybody who begins the process of making choices, rather than falling into earlier reactive modes of behaviour, recognizes how much inner freedom is gained.

And with that, the real journey can begin!

Gabriella in Spain

Yes, the forgiveness article is great. I signed up for the newsletter and decided to start reading the archived articles from beginning to end in sequence since it seems many refer to others. The titles are all intriguing. Thank you Pinky for bringing our attention and Dr. Gabriella for your work.

Thank you Pinky and Gabriella,

This information is really what I need right now, as I am going through a lot of changes and decision making. Helpful and timely. Thanks again!

Kim

Hi Pink One, After I was skinned alive,( 95% chance of mortality) when my skin grew back it was totally pink, like a baby.
Another Pink long post but V.V. interesting!
When I was a teen, I learn and did hand-reading; to develope my intuition and because it was fun to amaze people! ( also because it was nice and irrational!)
People would ask what it meant that my Heart line would join and continue with my head line. I replied "Thats because I think with my Heart and feel with my Head!"
This article says that I may have been right!

As long as Diabetes has been known, the old masters have called "16 degrees Cancer, The Diabetic Degree"
When the planet Pluto was discovered in the thirties,they called it a Malific, which could have a bad influence in later life.
When I turned fifty, I was diagnosed to be a Diabetic.
Guess which degree (out of 360) old Pluto was at when I was born!!

That famous quote needs a Mexican accent!
"I thenk therefor I am - I theenk!"
But to say it, in truth, he should have said,

"I AM A LIVING BEING THEREFORE I CAN THINK!"
Huggs

This is so important to know! I discovered we have 3 brains a year or so ago and it made so much sense to me. I did lots of reading about the stomach brain; one interesting fact was it sends more information to the head-brain than it receives, and it's also the most ancient brain - in evolution terms, it was there before the heart or head! Gut feelings are the ones we really need to take notice of...
Good article, thanks for putting it all together so clearly.