Body Mind Connection - Stomach & Intestines

The body reflects what is happening on both the conscious and unconscious levels, so the mind uses the body to express itself. It uses particular feelings/senses and symbols such as a rash, fever or pain in which to communicate, and these patterns manifest themselves through illnesses, diseases or accidents. By learning the language that is being used, we can understand our innate connection to our body.

What is it that is actually happening, when for instance we get an ache from which we are suffering? If we look at what message or meaning the body is trying to communicate, we can begin to learn how to communicate with our body.

Our bodies clearly reflect the imbalances of energies within us, for when we do not recognize what is taking place psychologically or emotionally, when we are blind to our own attitudes and behavior, that energy will find another way to get our attention.

Here are some insights that could prove very helpful regarding the stomach and intestines.

The Stomach:

Our abdomen is where we process our reality. This area is closely connected to our inner thoughts and feelings, recognized in such statements as ‘having a gut feeling’, or being ‘unable to stomach it’. Here resides our deepest intuition and sense of what is right or wrong; a response in our stomach is often a better guideline to what is going on than our sensory impressions may be. When we have a strong gut feeling we can guarantee it will be right.

Food represents security, survival and reward. We replace our need or desire for any one of these with food as a way of filling the emptiness within. We use food instead of affection and love, especially at times of loneliness, loss, separation or death. We also use it to ease financial or material tensions.

The stomach modifies and breaks down the food and renders it capable of being absorbed. So thoughts and feelings can also sit here creating nausea and tension.

A rigidly tense stomach area can indicate a “resistance to allowing” issues to pass through, a holding on to reality in an attempt to prevent inevitable moves and changes.

If what we are taking in is causing imbalance, pain or indigestion, we will not be receiving the nourishment we need. This also applies to thoughts, feelings, and impressions.  All of this is dealt with in the stomach. Here the longing, unfulfilled desires, worldly pressures and external conflicts are first assimilated.

The Intestines:

From the stomach the food passes down into the small intestine and then into the large intestine, or colon, before elimination. This involves a process of integration and letting go, not just of food but also of feelings, thoughts and experiences.

If this process of letting go is restricted (due to insecurity, fear and so on), then a holding on takes place and constipation, intestinal ulcers or a spastic colon can develop.

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a holding on so that elimination, or release, cannot take place. The constipated personality arises when, we are controlling and dominating and have a hard time being spontaneous. This can be due to fears of being out of control.  We can focus  consciously to the body's language in order to let go and heal.

We are more likely to have constipation, digestion problems and low back aches when we are experiencing financial problems or relationship conflicts.

These are times when we are feeling insecure and UN-grounded; we might not want change because of fears of not knowing what will be next.

Letting go means trusting it is safe to let go; trusting that life will resolve itself and that we do not have to have the power in order for the world to function. It means learning how to play; how to express ourselves freely, and how to be at peace with whatever happens.

Here is the message: Slow down, take time to listen and absorb one situation fully before moving on to the next possible challenge. Let go and let God!

Thanks for Listening,
 Badeish Lange

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