The Art and Science of ‘Tuning In’ with Mindfulness

We are living in turbulent times!

How’s that for an understatement? I think it’s fair to say that with a world-wide pandemic, open conflict in Europe, political polarization, and humanitarian crises in several geo-political arenas, we are living at a time when our psychosocial-emotional well-being has rarely been more taxed. And we’re feeling it.

The recent abundance of scientific analyses makes it possible to parse out various systems and processes for investigation at the elemental level, thereby enabling us to see each component part as an entire unit on its own. The interesting paradox here is that while being able to isolate these elements so readily, we can then begin to see their compound and complex inter-connectedness.

Our biology is no different. Neurobiologists and Gastroenterologists – specialists in their own fields now see our enteric system as sort of a second brain. Our understanding of this integrated system is growing. Most important is the “communication” that takes place between gut and the brain.  Although occasionally the millions of neurons in the enteric system ‘make decisions’ (cause reactions) within the body without first sending a signal to the brain.  We are however, more interested in the interaction between these two “brains.”  I was surprised to learn the enteric system has all the same neurotransmitters found in the brain and produces/stores 90% of the body’s serotonin – which is important to feelings of well-being, happiness, and sleep.

Many of you will be familiar with the discomfort felt in our digestive system when we encounter the excessive stresses that are now so commonplace.  Nervousness, and/or anxiety have long been thought to produce what we once referred to as “butterflies” in our stomach.  That is a signal that we need to attend to.

Our guts have (and need to have) a diverse number of bacteria, many of which live in the large intestine. Originally thought of as being controlled by the immune system, it now seems to be more of a two-way communication pathway. Our bacteria interact and communicate with the brain, influencing mental and emotional health. These organisms are sensitive to stress and respond accordingly.

Being mindful is the act of paying attention to our direct experiences as they unfold in the present moment including these internal feelings. The science explains the chain of events, the Art is in knowing what to do about it.