Neurobiology, Grace and Compassion: How They Work Together

Have you ever wondered about the connection between our brains and our bodies? 

A new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that the idea of the body and mind being inextricably intertwined is more than just an abstraction. The mind-body connection is built into the brain. The study shows that parts of the brain that control movement are plugged into networks involved in thinking and planning, and in control of involuntary bodily functions, such as blood pressure and heartbeat. The findings represent a literal linkage of body and mind, and the very structure of the brain.* In other words, our thinking can control involuntary bodily functions by design.

The Bible teaches us that 

“As a man thinks in his heart, so he is”

- Proverbs 23:7 

A key concept in psychology is: how we think precipitates how we feel, and how we feel dictates how we behave and the decisions we make.  If our thoughts or emotions are negative, this chain reaction sets in motion a sympathetic nervous system response, sending the body into a fight, flight or freeze reaction. Alternately, positive thoughts and being mindfully present with both mind and body allow the parasympathetic system to engage;  lending  more cognitive clarity, connection, calm in our lives, and providing more spiritual meaning and experiences of belonging. When we take a holistic approach to well-being by focusing on our mental, physical and spiritual health and their relationship to one another we live more fully into our God-created selves. 

As a psychotherapist, I am trained in Compassionate Based Cognitive Therapy (CBCT) which is a neurobiological approach that aims to develop compassionate motivation, sympathy, sensitivity, and distress tolerance through the use of specific training and guided exercises designed to help us further develop non-judging, and non-condemning attributes. **

Combining tools and strategies for greater awareness, better health, increased feelings of happiness, contentment and overall life satisfaction is certainly a worthy pursuit. Spiritually speaking there is only one problem.  I know it is my problem at times, and I suspect it is some of yours as well. It is not that we desire too much for ourselves or from God. No, the reality is we are willing to settle for too little.  We are content with a little bit of change, a little bit of growth, or a little bit of maturity. We settle for far less than God has in mind for us, long before Grace has completed its work in our minds… in our bodies … in our spirits. 

So how do we wholeheartedly engage in this integration?  How do we allow

“The God of all Grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ … restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

- 1 Peter 5:10

We lean into Grace and we learn to develop compassion.  Studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between self-compassion and psychological well-being yet  self-compassion is foreign to many of us.  The apostle Paul reminds us “To put on then, as God’s beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”.  Self-compassion opens the heart to see ourselves as God sees us, his be-loved. 

The integration of mind-body practices such as meditation, yoga, Centering Prayer, Somatic Movement, praise and worship, creative expression etc. reveal that the science and practice of compassionate, Grace-filled presence can heal us.  It is one way God restores and strengthens us from the inside out from daily stressors and toxins that build up in our bodies. 

Here are more BENEFITS of Mental and physical self-care, combined with a focus on spiritual formation:

• Reduces stress and decreases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

•  Elicits positive hormones like oxytocin, endorphins and other “ feel good” neurotransmitters that change neuropathways.

•  Improves immune function to ward off infection and disease.

•  Optimizes the level of telomerase, which repairs and maintains the ends of our chromosomes, keeping cells youthful and functioning well.       

•  Enhances the “epigenetic” regulation of genes to help the prevention of inflammation. 

• Modifies cardiovascular factors, improving cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and heart function. 

• Increases neural integration in the brain, enabling more coordination and balance in both the functional and structural connectivity within the nervous system that facilitates optimal functioning, including self-regulation, problem solving, and adaptive behaviors that are at the heart of emotional and spiritual well-being. 

• Cohesively integrates mind, body and spirit for a higher sense of purpose with hope and peace. 

• Lastly, helps one assign meaning to their life experience. ***

Let’s not be satisfied with anything less than all of God’s powerful Grace to produce God’s goodness, in and through us. 

Please join Barbara online for a three part series  “Rest Your Nervous System” Mondays, September 11, 18 and 25, 2023 at noon-1:15 EST.  Together, we will explore ways that yoga, faith and neuroscience intersect. 

Sources:  

*Nature, April 19, 2023. 

** Negi, Phd; Emory University. 

*** Sweeney, Michael, Brain: The Complete Mind, 2009; Siegel, Daniel, A Clinician’s Guide to Mindsight and Neural Integration, 2011; University of Minnesota: Earl E Bakker Center for Spirituality and Healing, 2023