Beyond the Mind: Unlocking the Three Centres of Intelligence in Consciousness

Chapter Four | Free One Million Minds: Beyond the mind: Exploring Our Three Centres of Intelligence

12/23/2024

Duration | 4 minutes 57 seconds
Guest: Dr. Symeon Rodger

synopsis

Dr. Symeon Rodger explores the limitations of Western reliance on the rational mind to solve problems, contrasting it with Eastern traditions that treat the body and mind as a unified system. He introduces “the stage of the observer,” a state of awareness where individuals recognize they are more than their thoughts or emotions. The chapter concludes by examining the interconnected roles of the brain, heart, and gut—our three centres of intelligence—in shaping a holistic view of consciousness.

dialogue summary

Dr. Symeon Rodger:
In the West, we tend to approach problems by trying to fix the brain using the brain itself. We’re taught to think our way out of problems, as if the rational mind is the ultimate problem solver.

However, with our culture’s radical overstimulation and cerebral orientation, the rational mind often goes into overdrive, becoming easily emotionalised. Attempting to fix it by thinking more only exacerbates the issue.
In contrast, many Eastern traditions emphasise working through the body to influence the mind. They recognise the body-mind as a unified organism. For instance, Taoism excels in using the body to affect the mind. Other traditions—like Buddhism, Hinduism, and ancient Christianity—often approach this the other way around, using the mind to influence the body. Both methods can be effective, but the body is often neglected in our modern understanding of self.

Western culture teaches us that we are our brains, thoughts, and emotions—that these define who we are. But this perspective is flawed. You have a brain, thoughts, and emotions, but they are not you. People who practice meditation, even at a beginner level, often reach what I call “the stage of the observer.”

In this stage, you realise you can watch your brain work—thoughts form, come, and go. You can observe your emotions as they ebb and flow. This awareness helps you understand that you are not these things. You are more than your thoughts, emotions, and even your brain.
Once you know this, you can begin to influence these aspects of yourself. But if you believe the cultural narrative that you are just your brain, you’ll accept another unspoken assumption: that your body is merely a transportation system for your brain.

Ancient traditions—and some modern science, such as the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza—show us that consciousness is distributed throughout the entire body-mind system. This can be experienced directly in practices like meditation. By focusing on different energy centers in the body, you’ll notice that each center provides a unique experience.

This ties into the idea that we have three centres of intelligence:
1. The Brain: The rational and cognitive hub.
2. The Heart: Which has a much stronger energy field than the brain and is the seat of emotional intelligence.
3. The Gut: Our intuitive and instinctive centre.

All three centres are interconnected and have their own neural networks and “intelligence.” We are only beginning to understand and embrace this holistic view of human consciousness.

Credits Roll

references

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, in the 5th to 4th century BCE in India.
• Core Beliefs: Buddhism teaches that life is suffering (dukkha) and that suffering arises from desire and attachment. The goal is to achieve enlightenment (nirvana) through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, right action, right meditation, and right mindfulness.
• Meditation in Buddhism: Meditation is a central practice in Buddhism, used to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and insight. Various forms of meditation, such as Vipassana (insight meditation) and Zazen (seated meditation), are practiced to help individuals transcend suffering and attain spiritual liberation.

Taoism one of China’s oldest philosophical and spiritual traditions, was founded by Laozi in the 6th century BCE, though its principles evolved over centuries.
• Core Beliefs: Taoism emphasises living in harmony with the Tao, which is the fundamental principle of the universe, the source of all life and change. It stresses simplicity, spontaneity, and non-action (wu wei), which means aligning with the natural flow of the world rather than forcing or controlling outcomes.
• Meditation in Taoism: Taoist meditation is focused on achieving inner peace, balance, and harmony with the Tao. Practices include sitting meditation, breath control, visualization, and the cultivation of internal energy or qi.

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, with roots tracing back over 4,000 years in the Indian subcontinent. It is a complex, diverse religion with no single founder.
• Core Beliefs: Hinduism encompasses a variety of philosophies, rituals, and deities, with key concepts including dharma (righteousness), karma (the law of cause and effect), samsara (reincarnation), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).
• Meditation in Hinduism: Meditation is used to focus the mind and spirit, aiming for self-realization and union with the divine. Practices like yoga (the path to union) and dhyana (meditative concentration) are central, with various forms, including mantra meditation, breath control (pranayama), and the contemplation of sacred texts.

Ancient Christianity refers to the early forms of Christian thought and practice in the first few centuries CE, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles.
• Core Beliefs: Early Christianity emphasised faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity, who came to redeem people from sin through his death and resurrection. The central tenets included love, grace, salvation, and the kingdom of God.
• Meditation in Ancient Christianity: In ancient Christianity, meditation often revolved around prayer, contemplation, and reading scripture. Early Christian mystics practiced hesychasm, a form of contemplative prayer focused on stillness and experiencing God’s presence. Meditation was aimed at connecting with God and achieving spiritual transformation.

Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. It is commonly used to cultivate mindfulness, awareness, and concentration, and is found in many spiritual and philosophical traditions.
Types of Meditation: Various forms of meditation exist, including:
• Mindfulness Meditation: Involves paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment without judgment.
• Transcendental Meditation: Uses a specific mantra to help transcend ordinary thought and reach a state of restful alertness.
• Loving-Kindness Meditation: Focuses on cultivating compassion and loving-kindness toward oneself and others.
• Zen Meditation (Zazen): Involves seated meditation with an emphasis on observing the breath and letting go of thoughts.
• Benefits: Regular meditation can reduce stress, enhance focus, improve emotional regulation, and promote overall well-being.

Emotions are complex psychological and physiological states that arise in response to stimuli and influence behaviour, cognition, and well-being. Emotions can be classified into primary (e.g., happiness, sadness, fear) and secondary (e.g., guilt, shame, pride) emotions.
• Role of Emotions in Meditation: Meditation practices often help individuals become more aware of their emotions, observe them without attachment, and regulate them more effectively. Mindfulness meditation, for example, encourages the observation of emotions as they arise, helping practitioners detach from reactive patterns and cultivate a balanced emotional state.
• Emotional Regulation: Practices from various spiritual traditions, such as Buddhist mindfulness or Taoist meditation, aim to transform negative emotions into constructive ones, allowing individuals to achieve greater emotional stability and peace.

Dr. Joe Dispenza – drjoedispenza.com
Dr. Dispenza’s work focuses on how the mind can affect the body, emphasizing that by changing thought patterns, we can rewire the brain and promote overall health and personal development.