Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Neuroscience: Using Your Multiple Intelligences to Make Authentic Decisions
Do you use any of the current statements in your day-to-day life? ‘I need to digest that information before I make a final decision’, ‘My heart wasn’t in it’, ‘Leave it with me, I need to think it through’.
You’re likely to have answered ‘yes’ to these questions because these are every-day statements that we all make from time to time. These are also indicators that you tap into the wisdom of your gut, heart and head brains or intelligence centres on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps you haven’t heard it put like this before. What does it mean that we have multiple brains, you might ask?
The Development of m-Braining and mBIT
The practice of m-braining (multiple-braining) and the theory of mBIT (multiple brain integration techniques) was developed in the 2000’s by Grant Soosola and Marvin Oka. These two individuals had spent their careers studying human behaviour, neuroscience and were highly qualified in the field of NLP (neurolinguistic programming). Soosala sadly, passed away four years ago.
In 2012 they published a book called ‘mBraining, Using Your Multiple Brains to Do Cool Stuff’ and since then more than 6,000 people worldwide have become accredited as mBIT Coaches, including myself. The book has received many positive reviews and is considered a groundbreaking work that provides insights into human behaviour utilising the latest research into the gut brain, heart brain, and head brain.
Unlock the Power of m-Braining: Integrate your head, heart, and gut brains for more authentic decision-making and enhanced creativity. Image: Gayle Young
Scientific Explanation of Multiple Brains
According to the mBraining theory, modern-day neuroscience is now explaining the ancient wisdom that humans have multiple brains, including the head, heart, and gut brains. This idea is supported by the latest scientific research, which shows that each of these brains has complex, adaptive, and fully functional neural networks.
The brain is a complex organ that consists of neurons, glial cells, and other supporting cells. The head brain is associated with cognitive functions and is composed of approximately 100 billion neurons. The heart brain has about 40,000 neurons that operate independently from the head brain. The gut brain, also known as the enteric brain, has approximately 500 million neurons. The gut brain is located in the walls of the digestive system and is responsible for regulating hormones, metabolism, blood pressure, and processing information. It is also linked to intuition and self-preservation. The heart brain is connected to what an individual values in life and how they feel. It is associated with emotional processing, values, and connection with others.
All three brains communicate with each other through the vagus nerve, which is one of the longest nerves in the body. The communication system between the gut and brain is called the gut-brain axis, and it involves millions of nerves and neurons that run between the gut and brain. The gut and brain are connected both physically and biochemically, and they may influence each other’s health.
Applying m-Braining Techniques for Decision-Making
The mBraining approach integrates these multiple brains to achieve specific outcomes, such as increasing intuitive abilities, generating wiser decision-making, and enhancing emotional intelligence, resilience, stress reduction, and creativity. The technique utilizes a combination of techniques such as meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises to bring these three brains into alignment, allowing individuals to tap into their full potential and make better decisions in all areas of life. The mBraining theory suggests that ancient wisdom traditions have long recognized the existence of these multiple brains, and modern neuroscience is now providing scientific explanations for this concept.
Importance of m-Braining in Personal and Corporate Decision-Making
Why is this important? The case studies set out by Grant and Marvin in their book, show us how a blockage, misuse or complete lack of use of each or any of these intelligence centres, can cause great discontent, confusion, frustration and deep unhappiness within individuals. The mBIT practices therefore, help individuals to tap into each of their inner wisdom centres through a custom-built coaching model. This enables the client to listen to and optimise the wisdom of the head, heart and gut to make aligned decisions which are true to their own values, instincts and creative selves. The highest expression of these three intelligence centres are creativity, compassion and courage.
Corporate decision-making processes tend to over-rely on the logic of the head brain without perhaps consulting the heart centre to see how the decision-making process is in ties into what people value and desire. Checking in with the gut brain allows us to see, on the other hand bravery or courage may be needed to make certain decisions; particularly those which go against the status-quo but which may truly helpful and transformative in the long run.
I am currently taking on clients for 1:1 coaching. Contact me at denise@obrienlearningsolutions.ie or book a clarity call for further information.
