Photo by h.koppdelaney

We all possess enormous innate wisdom. Our bodies are a living example of this intelligence in action. How our heart beats 24/7 providing essential fuel to all parts of our body; how our digestive system digests foods its never been exposed to and yet breaks them down to their key nutrients; and how the egg fertilises into a human baby in a mother’s womb.

In our everyday busyness, we are largely disconnected from this intelligence. We live in our minds, not in our bodies. We chase after acquiring the latest information about the external world, but generally lack awareness of the miraculous intelligence that resides within.

Thriving community within

Concealed beneath our individual persona is a thriving community of over 30 trillion cells. Each of these cells is a living being, with its own life and defined role. Importantly, each cell lives an highly evolved life, while meaningfully contributing to the broader community of cells constituting the human body.

Reading Deepak Chopra’s The book of secrets recently, I was reminded of the insightful revelations of this community. We can learn an awful lot from our body’s innate wisdom residing in these cells. Here are six key lessons that maybe worth contemplating.

1. Healthy coexistence

Every cell of our body exists in complete harmony with all other cells. Each cell also realises that its existence is dependent entirely on the healthy survival of every other cell. If some of the brain cells become dysfunctional, it impacts the rest of the body; likewise, unhealthy liver cells impact the digestive system, which in turn can lead to many illnesses. Most notably, each cell considers and treats every other cell as an equal, without any hierarchy or bias.

We start life as dependents, relying on our parents, and become more independent as young adults. However, we don’t always make the wise move to becoming interdependent – we remain too self-centered in our independent self. We need to discover our higher self where we are grateful for everyone else’ contribution in our life and equally commit to serving others; where we treat everyone as equal, without judging them for who they are.

2. Wholehearted engagement with the ecosystem

Every cell of our body also chooses to actively engage with other cells. They communicate effectively and maturely, without becoming aggressive or feeling victimised. They are also very willing to give, whatever they have to offer to other cells, unconditionally and without any expectations. This also makes them more open to accepting without any reservations.

On the other hand, we don’t engage enough with our environment – sometimes even choosing to ignore the issues of gross inequality, unfairness, or exploitation around us. Besides, in our every day interactions, we easily become angry, envious, mean, or withdrawn – primarily as defence mechanisms to protect our ego.

Further, our giving is often conditional – even with our children, it is driven by an expectation of love and respect in return. Likewise, we lack the grace to openly receive what’s given to us in life.

3. Trust and acceptance

Most of us operate from a place of lack in our life – a deep routed subconscious belief that we are not enough. As a result, we always want more in life – more success, money, recognition and love. Unfortunately, it never seems enough, till we make the inner shift of realising that we are already enough.

The cells that make up our bodies operate very differently. They acquire and store only what they need (unless for example, the emotional void in our life leads to overeating!). They are wise in trusting that they will always get what they need, that the universe has enough for every being; that there is no need to greedily acquire and hoard more than what we need.

They are also comfortable with their being – a skin cell is not desperate to become a part of the heart or vice-versa. I wish our thinking minds didn’t create artificial hierarchies in society and were more willing to accept each of us for who we are.

4. True identity

One of the most amazing discoveries in biology research has been that each cell is a complete representation of the body. Every function of the human body, whether it is the nervous, digestive, reproductive or immune system, is fully present in each cell. Each cell is a microcosm of the whole!

Likewise, humans are a microcosm of the entire universe. You can break a jar of glass into any number of pieces, but even the tiniest piece retains all the characteristics of the glass. No different from that, each one of us is made of the same elements and represents the same whole, however different we may appear.

Over time, cells become diseased, malfunction and die. So do we. However, the cells seem to live their life, in whatever time they have, with great wisdom and consciousness of their true identity. Staying connected with our true identity can be liberating for us too – we can then see the futility of our egoistic pursuits and learn to let go of our narrow-mindedness.

5. Here for a purpose

The innate wisdom of our body’s cells recognises that they exist for a higher purpose – they live and act for the survival of the whole. Human beings on average are far removed from such thoughts.

As we chase success, power and social recognition, how often do we pause and reflect on the positive difference we are making to our world. What’s the higher purpose of our existence? What is our responsibility towards our broader society? How can we protect and live in harmony with our environment?

6. Rest and renewal for sustenance

Lastly, the cells of our body are intelligent enough to live the notion that change is a constant. Consequently, they are always evolving. 98% of atoms in a human body are replaced annually; stomach lining dies and rebuilds itself in about five days; skin, nails and hair cells are dying all the time and made afresh every month. Besides, slowing down and taking appropriate rest is equally important for such regeneration.

Likewise, we need to be willing to accept our changing circumstances and evolve to live through those with equanimity. For example, aging is a law of nature. However, whether we age gracefully or with resistance is a function of how we respond to nature’s evolution. Further, choosing to consciously slow down from our 24/7 lives, for rest, recreation, and reflection, is crucial for our renewal.