The Stomach

Is it possible that an awareness of our stomach can act as an emotional (monkey dance) reactions so we may "pause" between the emotion and the action? This may be one of many ways we can remain mindful of our bodies and mind so that our actions can be controlled pulling the monkey dance down to a manageable two step or less.

"Serotonin, a neurotransmitter found widely in the "GUT" and the "BRAIN," is involved in a variety of behaviors, including social relating, aggression, sleep, and appetite." - Dr. Susan L. Smalley and Diana Winston, "Full Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness."

I may be stretching this a mite but if we suddenly feel a change in our gut this may be the type of awareness that could result in a "pause" between the dump of emotional junk to the inappropriate/unrealistic response or actions we take in life.

Our emotions are a result of evolution to aid biological survival, i.e. survival instincts; survival of the strongest, etc. These emotions are meant to provide physiological responses to events or stimuli encountered in our environment. We need them to act when encountering danger; we need them to act in obtaining resources for the group or tribes survival. These emotions usually occur unconsciously all the time.

The brains systems, circuitry, are a lot older than our ability to think. These connections are from the emotional systems to the thinking systems so our thinking is affected by them quicker than the speed of light because sometimes thinking is to slow and could result in death, i.e. survival instincts.

This is why it becomes important in today's world to learn how this all works for the first step in controlling any system is to know the system is there and how it can be recognized.

Why I have the theory about the stomach and possible other physical manifestations of emotional stimuli providing us an early warning system so we may stop the process consciously so the rational thinking system can provide a lessening of effects.

This is also to supplement the fundamental mental training process so we can add a new reaction/action to a response or stimuli that is triggering the emotional system, i.e. adrenaline dump due to fear and danger.

One such way to learn about this aspect is the book I mention above and below. It has a great way of explaining how the systems work in relation to mindful awareness of our bodies and minds.

Bibliography:
Smalley, Susan L. PhD. Winston, Diana. "Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness." Da Capo Press. Philadelphia. 2010.