Research shows that decisions are made through a combination of Cognition, Emotion and Intuition

Higher Mindfulness

Head, heart and gut are three types of intelligence that we use to process or relate to the world. They are also known as the cephalic, cardiac and enteric brains, because they have complex neural networks and can store and process information independently.

The difference between them is that they have different functions and strengths.

• The head brain – good for thinking, logic, analysis, creativity and making meaning of things.
• The heart brain – good for emotional processing, values, empathy, connection and compassion.
• The gut brain – good for self-preservation, identity, courage, action and intuition.

Ideally, we should use all three brains in harmony to make wise decisions and live authentically. However, sometimes we may rely more on one brain than the others, or ignore the signals from one or more brains. This can lead to imbalance, confusion, stress or regret.

To use the three brains effectively, we need to be aware of them and listen to them. One way to do this is to practice a mini-meditation called the Head-Heart-Gut Check In. This involves tuning into each brain and asking what it is feeling, thinking and wanting. Then we can compare the messages from each brain and see if they are aligned or conflicting. If they are aligned, we can proceed with confidence. If they are conflicting, we can explore why and try to resolve the issue.

I hope this helps you understand the difference between head, heart and gut.