Our Brain Is Not the CEO of Our Body

Our brain is not the CEO of our body.

A very wise young woman I support shared this metaphor with me. Her reflection led me to think about how we've been taught generation after generation, through the process of colonization, that rationality and reason are the most valuable. We have been affirmed and lauded when we consider our brain's thinking process as the boss, which, in turn, penalizes us for connecting to our felt sense.

What happens when we recognize that we may be, unintentionally, seeing our brain as the CEO of an imbalanced power/hierarchy-based business and the rest of the body as the workers in said business? We might start to recognize that the other parts of our body aren't getting a voice, aren't being heard, may not get their needed food or bathroom breaks.

Before I continue, I'd like to invite you to pause for a moment and consider this metaphor. Are there ways it feels true to your body experience? If it doesn't currently, are there times in your life that metaphor felt present?

Here's the thing: our bodies are NOT meant to be divided that way. Our brains are not separate or more important than the rest of our bodies. No part is. Every part of our body plays a role, that is why they are there. Ideally, if we want to stick with the business metaphor (which I have mixed feelings about, and am going to stick with for this moment), our body is more like a co-op.

All members of the team are important, and while we may connect with different members at different points, no part is more important than the others.

"In the practice of belonging we are not seeking prowess or dominion over anyone else, but the ability to live into the conversation between things."

~ Belonging, Toko pa Turner (p.194)

Often we connect to the loudest part of our body...actually often we try to disconnect from the loudest part of our body. If you have joined for Saying Hello To Your Body (https://healing-liberation.thrivecart.com/saying-hello-to-your-body/) or worked with me 1-1, you have likely explored why we do that and why it is valuable to connect with and follow our body communications. Or you may have explored this with another guide within a different container.

And, even the quiet parts of our body want attention. And sometimes the parts we've been focusing on are tired of being the part that is always being connected with. Consistently in my work when we connect with a part of the body that has been quieter the part expressed relief and gratitude at receiving attention. And, twice now, when working with people with low thyroid levels, after working on finding the right dose of supplementation and the best additional ways to support their thyroid, the thyroid has said...please stop looking at me, please consider other parts of your body too.

So what is the point and how do we start to change our body from a rationalism power-imbalanced company into an intentional and relational cooperative community?

1. believe it is possible

2. get curious

3. start to playfully sense into areas of your body that are often quieter, softer, calmer...

4. find resources that you align with for body connection tools and guides these people might use the words: somatics or embodiment or body connection (or in my case body conversation)

A great way to begin to sense into or practice noticing different parts of your body is in my embodied anatomy cohort, Your Body Is Yours To Know cohort. I would love for you to come grow your embodied understanding with us!