 BOOK
TALK
Biology Of Belief
by Gayl Woityra
How do we choose a
book to read? Clearly, we bring all of our
“self” to the book. That is, our current
position in life, including age, interests and
experience, impacts our choices, instantaneously
directing our attention to this or that book on
a bookstore shelf. I always bring my current
interest to my book choices.
As a result, a few
months ago I found myself picking up a book
about Cell Biology. Certainly that is not a
usual area of interest for me, but I was drawn
to the title and then to the cover and inner
flap summaries. The book is titled: The Biology
Of Belief: Unleashing The Power Of
Consciousness, Matter and Miracles by Bruce H.
Lipton, PhD (Mountain of Love/Elite Books,
2005). A little medallion on the cover noted
that it was named “Best Science Book” in 2006 by
USA BookNews (www.USABookNews.com).
Clearly, that
title got my attention because I am always
interested in consciousness studies. The inner
front flap also informed me that the book would
show how “DNA is controlled by signals from
outside the cell, including the energetic
messages emanating from our positive and
negative thoughts.” No question, the general
theme of Book Talk in recent months has focused
on the power of thought and no doubt will
continue to do so. (Note our recent discussions
of books by authors Gregg Braden, Byron Katie
and Candace Pert.)
So let us now
examine the topic of thought from the viewpoint
of a cellular biologist. Lipton’s book is filled
with much current research-based information.
Fortunately, Lipton’s clear, easy-to-read, even
humorous writing style makes it delightful for
readers to absorb all the fascinating facts. For
example, given the fact that “every human being
is made up of approximately 50 trillion single
cells,” doesn’t that immediately set up
motivation for readers to want to know more
about how their cells function? Immediately, as
well, Lipton challenges us with a claim that his
“research offers incontrovertible proof that
biology’s most cherished tenets regarding
genetic determinism are fundamentally flawed.”
You know, for
years we’ve heard that our life is controlled by
our genes. With convincing discussions backed by
a huge body of scientific studies, Lipton
demonstrates that his thesis is correct: that
“just like a single cell, the character of our
lives is determined not by our genes but by our
responses to the environmental signals that
propel life.” (Note: “responses” include
thoughts.) This point leads Lipton to the
spiritual angles in his book. He demonstrates
how beliefs affect cells and through analogy, he
comes to realize that he could “change the
character of my life by changing my beliefs.”
It is rather
amazing how Lipton manages to inform readers,
especially non-scientists like me, about the
complex subject of cellular biology. He uses
stories, comparisons and pictures so
effectively, I found myself reading this book as
I would an exciting mystery page-turner. Along
the way, the author includes thoughtful mentions
of new approaches in science, approaches that
the general public is largely unaware of. For
example, early in his professional work in
academia, Lipton was “an unabashed proponent of
a “new biology.” His research pre-dated a new
area of biology, now called epigenetics: “the
study of the molecular mechanisms by which
environment controls gene activity.” He notes,
moreover, that today this is “one of the most
active areas of scientific research.”
The “New Biology,”
underscored by such research areas as
epigenetics, “casts life as a cooperative
journey.” We learn in Lipton’s chapters of the
cooperative nature of the cells in our body.
This activity becomes, for Lipton, a model for
our own most effective behavior. Within his
chapters, Lipton discusses “smart” cells and how
“they can teach us about our own minds and
bodies. He establishes the scientific evidence
that shows “genes do not control biology,” a
discovery of that aforementioned field of
biology called epigenetics. He devotes an entire
chapter to explaining how a cell’s membrane
functions. To average readers, that may sound
boring, but I assure you it is fascinating
indeed to learn how the “membrane is the true
brain of the cellular operation.” He uses
another chapter to discuss the implications of
quantum physics discoveries as they relate to
the cell and to problems in the current medical
establishment.
Then he gets to
subconscious programming and how negative
thoughts have powerful effects on cells. This is
all supported by scientific research and
studies. He includes a surprising, even
mind-boggling chapter on how parents program
their children’s beliefs and subconscious
behaviors, even prenatally. Finally he pulls it
all together in an “Epilogue” discussion of the
“importance of integrating the realms of Spirit
and Science.”
This book
repeatedly provides both scientific facts and
thoughtful implications that make me stop and
ponder. In fact, this is a book that I fully
intend to read again because it contains so many
riches. Some facts are rather amazing, even
humbling. We humans so often think of ourselves
as so far above the lower organisms,
biologically speaking. Then we discover from
Lipton: “there is not much difference in the
total number of genes found in humans and those
found in primitive organisms.” For example, “the
human body, comprised of over 50 trillion cells,
contains only 1,500 more genes than the lowly,
spineless, thousand-celled microscopic worm.”
Clearly, it isn’t our biology and genes that
place us above that microscopic worm.
Another profound
bit of discussion in Lipton’s book involves the
two major functions of our cells. Lipton calls
it “the biology of Homeland Defense.” This
discussion contains critical information we all
need to know and understand. Lipton says, “The
body (has) two separate protection systems.” One
deals with perceived threats and stresses and
involves the “Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal
Axis.” (HPA) This is commonly known as the
body’s “fight or flight” response. The body’s
second protection system if the immune system
which protects us “from threats originating
under the skin, such as those caused by bacteria
and viruses.”
Now here’s what I
didn’t know. Lipton tells us, “When the HPS axis
mobilizes the body for fight or flight response,
the adrenal hormones directly repress the action
of the immune system to conserve energy
reserves.” And when the immune system needs to
be mobilized it needs “much of the body’s energy
supply.” What is so significant about these
biological facts?
Just consider the
world today. Nearly all individuals can report
various forms of more or less constant stresses
in their lives, including relationships
stresses, health issues, work-related worries,
economic difficulties and constant focus on
threats of terrorism from government sources,
all emphasized and replayed daily by the media.
Lipton reports, “We live in a ‘get set’ world
and an increasing body of research suggests that
our hyper-vigilant lifestyle is severely
impacting the health of our bodies... Almost
every major illness that people acquire has been
linked to chronic stress.” Lipton notes a number
of recent scientific studies to support his
point.
Surely, we now get
the message. All the perceived stresses in our
lives – and they are manifold – shut down (my
emphasis) our immune systems, clearly
interfering with our ability to fight disease.
Lipton also notes studies that indicate that
when the HPA axis activates, it “also interferes
with our ability to think clearly.” It is surely
important to note that “fear kills,” and “when
you’re frightened, you’re dumber.”
Lipton also
reports on many current studies on depression as
related to stress. Studies now show that “in
chronically depressed patients, the hippocampus
and the prefrontal cortex, the center of higher
reasoning, are physically shrunken.” Also these
regions of the brain “exhibit a surprising lack
of cell division,” and “this area is a part of
the nervous system involved with memory.”
Clearly, we all
need to become much more conscious of all of the
dangers of stress in our lives so that we can,
consciously, take steps to mitigate that stress
and its negative consequences. Author Bruce
Lipton doesn’t offer us a list of “how-tos” or a
prescription for curing our stress-filled lives.
Many other authors do offer us various helpful
plans to do just that and we shall continue to
discuss those works in future Book Talks. What
we gain from Lipton’s book is a clearer
understanding of how our body, brain and cells
work. Knowledge for me means power. Knowledge
allows us to make conscious choices from a point
of understanding and awareness. Lipton helps
readers understand their body and ultimately
their subconscious mind as well.
His chapter on
“Parents as Genetic Engineers” offers many
up-to-date studies on parental influences. We
learn that the largest influences become buried
in our subconscious minds. What most of us don’t
realize is the extreme power of the
subconscious. Lipton reports that our
“fundamental behaviors, beliefs and attitudes”
that we learn by observing our parents, once
programmed into the subconscious mind, “control
our biology for the rest of our lives... unless
we can figure out a way to reprogram them.” This
point really clarifies why it is so very
difficult for all of us to change any kind of
habitual behavior, attitude or belief, no matter
how self-defeating it is or how hard we try to
make a change. This also explains why we usually
over-react when our “buttons are pushed,”
thereby stimulating those old subconscious
responses.
Nevertheless, each
of us has a “conscious” mind and what some call
a “super-conscious” mind. If we become
knowledgeable enough about how our bodies and
minds work and if we practice being alert and
aware of what is going on – how we are behaving
and what we are thinking – we can then start to
make better choices. This is also how we can
start to handle all the stresses that seem to
impinge upon us. Ultimately, many teachers tell
us that all stresses are perceived stresses. We
can begin by examining our own attitudes,
beliefs and perceptions. This point clarifies
why Lipton’s book title includes words referring
to “belief” and “consciousness.” Lipton’s
philosophy in this regard is: “You are
personally responsible for everything in your
life, once you become aware that you are
personally responsible for everything in your
life.”
The implication,
of course, is that most humans see all their
problems as originating “out there.” Author
Lipton offers his last chapter: “Epilogue:
Spirit & Science” as a means to a better world
and a better life for each of us. He reiterates
that “smart cells can teach us how to live”
(cooperatively). And he truly believes “that
only when Spirit and Science are reunited will
we be afforded the means to create a better
world.” He also says, “I learned from cells that
we are part of a whole and that we forget this
at our peril.”
This is a
delightfully informative and thoughtful book. It
is thoroughly substantiated by very complete
reference pages for the studies and research
that support all the scientific statements and
claims he makes in the book. He also includes an
excellent and extensive index. For further
scientific updates and information, readers can
visit
www.brucelipton.com.
 |
