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LISA ANN CATANO shares some of the
research findings in epigenetics that show us that our genes are
affected by our beliefs and thinking more than we realize.
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Dr. Bruce Lipton,
a cellular biologist who was at the University of Wisconsin cloning
human muscle cells, is best known for challenging the existing belief
that the human body is controlled by genes. In his video The Biology of Perception, he demonstrates to the audience that perception affects biology.
In one of his experiments, a stem cell was isolated and put into a petri dish (a cell-culture dish), where it divided every ten hours. The cells were then split up into three groups and placed into separate petri dishes, each of which contained different growth mediums. In the first dish the cells formed bone, in the second dish they formed muscle, and in the third dish they formed fat cells. All of the cells were genetically identical when they were first separated, yet each dish produced different results.
Dr. Lipton’s research is life changing for all of us,
Why was this so? Since the genes were all identical, the differences
arose because of the environment in which they were placed. The
environment was the stimulus to which the cells responded, which means
genes respond to their environment. It is the genes’ perception of their
environment that causes them to behave in a certain way.
We have been taught that our genes determine our lives — our behaviour, emotions, character, health, and biology — and that we do not have any control over our lives. We have been told that our genes are inherited from our family and we are a victim to this heredity: If there is cancer in your family, you are vulnerable to that illness; if your father or mother were prone to addiction, you will to some extent be the same, or feel entitled to justify similar behaviour. This brings about a feeling of powerlessness, that your life is destined to be a certain way because of your genes. So a kind of apathy takes over, a ‘Why should I try?’ attitude.
Dr. Lipton’s research is life changing for all of us, because his research enunciates that we have the power to choose our destiny at any given point. From victims we can become masters of our lives, as we can determine how we respond to the environment. Of course the genetic patterns are there, but they are not as fixed as we once believed.
Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In one of his experiments, a stem cell was isolated and put into a petri dish (a cell-culture dish), where it divided every ten hours. The cells were then split up into three groups and placed into separate petri dishes, each of which contained different growth mediums. In the first dish the cells formed bone, in the second dish they formed muscle, and in the third dish they formed fat cells. All of the cells were genetically identical when they were first separated, yet each dish produced different results.
Dr. Lipton’s research is life changing for all of us,
because his research enunciates that
we have the power to choose our destiny at any given point.
From victims we can become masters of our lives,
as we can determine how we respond to the environment.
Dr Bruce Lipton during a lecture.
We have been taught that our genes determine our lives — our behaviour, emotions, character, health, and biology — and that we do not have any control over our lives. We have been told that our genes are inherited from our family and we are a victim to this heredity: If there is cancer in your family, you are vulnerable to that illness; if your father or mother were prone to addiction, you will to some extent be the same, or feel entitled to justify similar behaviour. This brings about a feeling of powerlessness, that your life is destined to be a certain way because of your genes. So a kind of apathy takes over, a ‘Why should I try?’ attitude.
Dr. Lipton’s research is life changing for all of us, because his research enunciates that we have the power to choose our destiny at any given point. From victims we can become masters of our lives, as we can determine how we respond to the environment. Of course the genetic patterns are there, but they are not as fixed as we once believed.
Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
– Viktor E. Frankl
You
were born into the world without any beliefs, and since you learned to
believe certain things through the instruction of your parents,
education, and social systems, you have the ability to unlearn them and
try new ones. As you change your thinking, you change your mind and
biology, which culminates in an evolved reality.
In addition to the new understanding that perception influences behaviour, Dr. Lipton goes even deeper by saying that perception not only influences genes, but it also rewrites them! Like any living being, the cell is a conscious organism. By virtue of its state of consciousness, the cells’ perception of the environment is what controls the gene. In his study, Dr. Lipton provides proof of how a belief actually switches on a gene.
To demonstrate the power of belief, let’s take the example of our beloved insect, the bumble bee. Aerodynamically the bumble bee is not really designed to fly. This is apparent in observing its rounded hairy body that is much larger than the little wings that struggle to carry it. Now imagine that someone repeatedly told the bumble bee at a young age that she was not designed for flight; do you suppose she would be flying today? Of course not, and yet the bumble bee flies nonetheless, even if a bit clumsily at times. Belief is powerful and can often override the most logical reasoning.
When the mind is peaceful,
In addition to the new understanding that perception influences behaviour, Dr. Lipton goes even deeper by saying that perception not only influences genes, but it also rewrites them! Like any living being, the cell is a conscious organism. By virtue of its state of consciousness, the cells’ perception of the environment is what controls the gene. In his study, Dr. Lipton provides proof of how a belief actually switches on a gene.
To demonstrate the power of belief, let’s take the example of our beloved insect, the bumble bee. Aerodynamically the bumble bee is not really designed to fly. This is apparent in observing its rounded hairy body that is much larger than the little wings that struggle to carry it. Now imagine that someone repeatedly told the bumble bee at a young age that she was not designed for flight; do you suppose she would be flying today? Of course not, and yet the bumble bee flies nonetheless, even if a bit clumsily at times. Belief is powerful and can often override the most logical reasoning.
When the mind is peaceful,
we are free from worries and mental discomfort,
and we begin to experience true happiness.
In this state of grace and Godliness,
healing can be restored.
A Medical Example
In his autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Carl G. Jung describes a patient sent by an American colleague with the accompanying diagnosis: “Alcoholic neurasthenia: incurable.” Jung discovered that the patient was struggling to hold onto his manhood in a tyrannical relationship with his mother. According to Jung she was a “power devil.” She owned a large firm where the son worked and was very unhappy. Due to her power games, he chose to drink as a way of self-medicating. He did not have the adequate self-belief or strength of character to stand up to her, or resign from the comfort of the wealthy family business.
This is a fine example of a man who generated a wholesome life and
personality by changing the constituents of his environment. By removing
himself from a negative situation that did no service to his character,
he was able to create a new life.
Meditation as a remedy.
Remedy
Meditation and visualization are strong repertoires for holistic
health and vitality. Studies illustrate that meditation can diminish all
kinds of physical diseases and psychological disorders. The immune
system, blood pressure, pain response, stress hormone levels, and even
cellular health can all be improved. Psychologically, meditation reduces
depression and anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction,
and eating disorders, among others.
Meditation actually makes structural changes to the brain and reprograms the DNA. The way neurons communicate with each other can change and thus create new circuits. Some brain regions become denser than others and others become less dense. Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity improve, including memory, critical thinking, and overall cognitive functionality.
Meditation alters perception and the mind. It is a method for acquainting our minds with virtue. The more familiar our mind is with virtue, the calmer and more peaceful it becomes. When the mind is peaceful, we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we begin to experience true happiness. In this state of grace and Godliness, healing can be restored. Thus, the practice of meditation confirms the outcome of Dr. Lipton’s experiments, which state that perception influences genes and can also rewrite them.
Meditation actually makes structural changes to the brain and reprograms the DNA. The way neurons communicate with each other can change and thus create new circuits. Some brain regions become denser than others and others become less dense. Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity improve, including memory, critical thinking, and overall cognitive functionality.
Meditation alters perception and the mind. It is a method for acquainting our minds with virtue. The more familiar our mind is with virtue, the calmer and more peaceful it becomes. When the mind is peaceful, we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we begin to experience true happiness. In this state of grace and Godliness, healing can be restored. Thus, the practice of meditation confirms the outcome of Dr. Lipton’s experiments, which state that perception influences genes and can also rewrite them.
Sources
The Biology of Belief 10th Anniversary Edition: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles
The Biology of Perception, Dr. Bruce Lipton.
Kymatica, Ben Stewart
The Biology of Belief 10th Anniversary Edition: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles
The Biology of Perception, Dr. Bruce Lipton.
Kymatica, Ben Stewart
Memories, Dreams, Reflections, C.G. Jung & Aniella Jaffe, 1963, Pantheon Books.
Meditation Health Benefits: What The Practice Does To Your Body, Meredith Melnick.
Meditation Health Benefits: What The Practice Does To Your Body, Meredith Melnick.
The New Meditation Handbook, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, 2013, Tharpa Publications.
Psychology, John W. Santrock, 7th edition, 2003, Chapter 6: ‘States of Consciousness’, McGraw-Hill College.
Psychology, John W. Santrock, 7th edition, 2003, Chapter 6: ‘States of Consciousness’, McGraw-Hill College.
About Lisa Ann Catano
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