I watched the movie What the Bleep Do We Know? last night. Somehow, I missed seeing it when everyone was talking about it, which isn’t terribly surprising. Anyway, I continue to be fascinated with the possibilities coming out of the field of quantum physics, even if I don’t understand a whole hell of a lot of the technical stuff.
One of the researchers interviewed during the movie, Joe Dispenza, has a book out called Evolve Your Brain. I haven’t read it yet, but I have listened to some podcast interviews with Dispenza where he shares some of the ideas set forth in the book. One of the things I am keenly interested in is a point he makes about the need for intention to be functioning together with the emotional memory of the body in order for a shift to occur. Just intention isn’t enough. And just “feeling good” isn’t enough.
Consider this quote from Dispenza:
Our body reproduces different kinds of cells on a regular basis. Some cells are reproduced in hours, others in a day, others in a week, some within months, and some cells even take years to reproduce. If high peptide levels of shame and anger are maintained on a daily basis for years on end, then when each cell divides to make daughter cells, it will respond to this high demand and alter the receptors on the cell membrane. This is a natural regulation process that takes place in all cells.
This is the neurochemical expression of what we often call in Buddhist circles “habitual patterns” or kleshas.
Given the elasticity of the body, and especially of the brain, we have the ability to change these patterns. We can break the grooves that keep us trapped in repetition and narrow mindedness. And you’re never too old to give it a try.
Meditation, chanting, yoga, prayer and other traditional forms of spiritual practice already were taping into this understanding long before the scientists came to language it. But one thing I think those on the scientific cutting edge are offering to compliment our ancient spiritual traditions is a mapping out of the flexibility we all possess. This mapping, as well as offering studies and research into shifts in the brain and body, are – in my view – further evidence that enlightenment need not be the province of a tiny few. That more and more of us might be able to tap into our greatest potential, and to awaken to our fullest expression of life.
Photo Credit:
Screen shot from What the Bleep Do We Know?
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