The Incongruency of Mind, Heart, and Body: Understanding the Brain-Heart-Body Connection

Today, we dive deep into the fascinating world of the brain-heart-body connection. Have you ever wondered why people often say one thing but do something completely different? Join us as we explore the intricacies of the three-brain system that governs our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

The Conscious, Subconscious and Unconscious Mind

At the core of our being, we possess three interconnected yet distinct aspects of the mind: the conscious, subconscious and the unconscious.

The conscious mind represents our rational thinking, decision-making, and logical reasoning. It is the part of our brain that is responsible for all our executive functions that we can actively control.

On the other hand, the subconscious mind operates beneath our conscious awareness as a barrier between the conscious and unconscious. It helps us remember mundane things: how to speak and act automatically, such as waking up, going to the bathroom and saying good morning.

Then there is the unconscious part of the mind, which influences our beliefs, habits, and automatic responses. It is where we store all our long-time memories of the past.

Understanding this tri-parte system is crucial to unravelling the incongruencies we sometimes experience between our thoughts, words, and actions. Our conscious desires and intentions often clash with the deeply ingrained beliefs and patterns embedded in our unconscious minds. It is this conflict that gives rise to the inconsistencies we observe in our behaviour.

The Three-Brain System:

To comprehend the complexities of our mind-heart-body connection, we must explore the three-brain system that governs our cognitive and emotional processes. This model includes the reptilian brain, the limbic system, and the neocortex or cerebral cortex. While the diagram is simplistic, our brains are more intricate and complex, with many layers and folds.

The reptilian brain, located at the base of our skull, is the oldest and most primitive part of our brain. It is responsible for our survival instincts, such as fight, flight or freeze responses. The limbic system, often referred to as the emotional brain, resides in the center-fold of the brain. It regulates our emotions, moods and social behaviours. Lastly, the neocortex, the most evolved part of our brain, is responsible for higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. That is where we activate focused attention, think deeply and critically, and tap into our judgment, compassion, free will, or personal power.

These three sections work in tandem, constantly communicating and influencing one another. However, incongruencies between our hearts, mind, and body can occur when this system lacks harmony or communication breaks down.

Unveiling Incongruencies:

In our quest for self-improvement and personal growth, we must address any incongruencies we experience. Inconsistencies often arise when our subconscious desires conflict with the deeply held beliefs, fears, or traumas residing dormant in our unconscious mind. That is where dissonance thrives. The lack of harmony between what we believe, what we want and what we do or say.

Consider a situation where an individual consciously desires to drive a car but consistently finds themselves putting off getting their driver's licence. Their fear or trauma overrides their need or desire for freedom. This incongruency between their conscious intent and unconscious programming can create a self-sabotaging pattern. By delving into the underlying beliefs, emotions or trauma, we can bring about alignment and bridge the gap between our three minds.

For example, our need to be accepted amongst our peers could lead us to act like self-hypocrites, stifling our true nature and beliefs to fit in. While there is nothing wrong with fitting in per se, we must ensure we are not self-sabotaging or doing so for ulterior motives. The question to ask ourselves is, what drives me: fear, trauma or compassion? 

If you are a Nietzchiean and driven by nihilism, you may be tempted to say screw compassion. But I beg to differ. By tapping into the paradoxical mind of Friedrich Nietzche we can learn to:

Become who we are, for it is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes us unhappy.

Conclusion:

Understanding the brain-heart-body connection is a powerful tool on our journey towards personal growth and transformation. By acknowledging the interplay between the conscious, subconscious and unconscious mind, and the intricate dynamics of the three-brain system, we can uncover the root causes of incongruencies and take steps to align our desires/thoughts, words, and actions. Embrace this knowledge and unlock your potential for a more fulfilling life.

Remember, AGGIESTRONG Life Coaching Services is here to support and guide you every step of the way!

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Andrene Gregory,

Author and Life Coach

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Disclaimer: This article was previously posted on the foAGGIESTRONG Life Coaching Services LinkedIn page on the same date as this one.