The Mind: Government Of Biology

By Jennifer Kelleher

Dr. Bruce Lipton describes the mind as the government of biology. He says, “The cells in your body are citizens and they make up a community, but there is a government that controls the fate of that community, and that government is the mind.”

Let’s divide the mind into two parts: the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. The conscious mind is connected to our spirituality, holding our wishes, desires, and what we want on this planet. The subconscious mind is the part of the mind that has been conditioned by your environment from just before birth through around age 7. Psychologists conclude that most subconscious programs (60%+) are disempowering, self-sabotaging, and limiting beliefs.

Take a moment to consider your own biology’s government. Are your thoughts supporting you, or not? If after some introspection you recognize that the thoughts in your head are bringing you down instead of lifting you up, it is time to ignite a change– for a healthy body and life are driven by encouraging and uplifting thoughts.

It was during my yoga teacher training, almost nine years ago, that I truly became aware of my own thought patterns. I remember looking at myself in the mirror one day and making the intentional decision to reprogram my brain.

One thing I began working on was how to handle traumatic memories. For years when a traumatic memory came into my head, my body would cringe, tighten, and reject the thought, as if it were trying to push it away. Awareness and intention helped me to create a new practice. Instead of reacting, I would stop what I was doing, bring my mind’s attention to my breath, and take a series of deep, slow, loving inhales and exhales to calm my body. As I did this, I would remind myself that I am safe and it’s ok, and my body would soften. With this practice, over time, the thoughts stopped affecting me and eventually stopped popping up in my head.

I also realized that my attention would often get stuck in whatever physical or emotional discomforts I happened to be experiencing. So again, it was time to foster a change.

Once more, I used my breath to calm my body and get present, and then practiced self-love, acceptance, kindness, and compassion. Over time, I became more and more embodied and comfortable in my own skin. This process not only changed my thoughts around my body, it also naturally changed the way I took care of my body.

There were a few other thought patterns that I had to change as well. First, every time I became aware that I was putting myself down, I would flip it and take some time sitting with the opposite, uplifting thought about myself. It didn’t take long for me to start living in greater self-worth. Next, I began developing an abundance mindset. I used “I am” affirmations and worked with the heart chakra, often reminding myself that, “I am whole and healed, just as I am; there is nothing I lack; I am abundant by nature, for there is only one of us here and we are it.” Finally, I began measuring my thoughts. Did they benefit not only my wellbeing, but the wellbeing of all? Were they supportive of the greater good? If the answer was no, I took a step back and came up with a better thought to replace it, and then acted on that.

My experience working with my own mind and thoughts has helped me to understand that the powerful tool of the mind works like a magnifying glass, amplifying whatever it focuses on. Reprogramming your mind takes awareness and discipline, but as you reinforce the same new patterning, it becomes more and more effortless, and your life begins to change as a result.

Join yoga, Pilates, sound baths, and workshops at oceanblissyoga.net. Call me for privates and semi-privates at 917-318-1168.