Shifting from Head to Heart and Gut
Western Society has become left brain dominant meaning we function mainly from logic, analysis and data. While these are valuable skills, they are not enough to succeed in today’s complex and dynamic world. You also need to tap into your intuition, emotions, and values, which are centered in your heart. Shifting from head to heart means becoming more aware of your inner guidance and aligning your actions with your purpose and passion. This can help you to lead with authenticity, courage, and compassion, and inspire others to do the same. But how do you make that shift?
The starting point is mindful awareness: This involves returning to the present moment and being able to observe your own experience and process. Notice if you habitually operate from the thinking mind. Notice what you feel or even if you feel something at the heart level. Notice if there is a background sense of anything. Learn to do this very regularly.
Thinking intelligence is very limited, it tends to be linear and is strongly related to conditioning, belief systems and your own limitations.
Conversely, the intelligence of the heart and gut includes significantly better and greater information which the head mind cannot access. It is now known that the heart has a neural network of its own which you can connect into. And likewise, the gut with its extensive network of nerves that connect into the brain seems to receive subconscious information that it communicates to us as a “sense”. In an increasingly complex world, accessing these higher levels of intelligence enables us to operate from a more evolved level and to return to a sense of simplicity.
Of course, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, creative people in general, but even police officers know all of this through direct experience.
Einstein is credited with having said, "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."
Unless we believe this and learn to value non-rational intelligence, we are unlikely to make the shift from head to heart and gut. The more you listen to your intuitive intelligence, the better you will be able to discern which information is intuitive and what is wishful thinking. Furthermore, your intuition will reward you with more and more intuitive hints and insights.
Ideally, we need to learn to balance the wisdom of rational and critical thinking with insightful creative and intuitive thinking. However, as Dr Iain McGilchrist (author of the Master and his Emissary) pointed out – the right brain (holistic and intuitive) needs to be the master and the left brain (the rational and linear) needs to be the emissary.
In any one moment or situation, or when making decisions, ask:
- What does my head know?
- What does my heart feel?
- What does my gut sense?
Take the time to notice and to acknowledge what comes to you, even if it does not make sense.
Most of us have had the experience of ignoring intuitions are our own peril.
Those who learn to tune into this deeper aspect of the self and are willing to go on a journey of self-development will be richly rewarded.
At www.soulwiseleader.com we put strong emphasis on this shift which we perceive will be a key aspect of organisations shifting to a new emerging paradigm.
Steven Lane