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Soul In The Belly
Preface
The stomach is an organ in the upper gastrointestinal tract of humans. The most well-known function of this basic organ is to store and digest food and liquids that you consume during your meals. Our digestive system converts the foods we eat into their simplest forms, like amino acids (proteins), glucose (sugars), and fatty acids (fats). Although this is the most known function of the stomach, it is not the only function. Throughout this book I will make my case as to why I believe the stomach is the most vital part of your body and it is connected to your physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellness.
Your belly is not just an impure meat sack for the purpose of digesting foods and liquids, but it is in fact so much more. The stomach I would argue is the seat of emotional experiences, the origin of all diseases, and the home of the soul. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato wrote in his writings and proposed the idea that the stomach is the location of Eros, which is a concept that refers to strong desires and passions such as love and lust. Throughout the Holy Bible there is an overarching message about the spirit and the flesh being fully interactive and that our souls and even the Holy Spirit literally dwell and engage in its divine operations from within our bellies. Jesus even makes a statement in the book of John and says that whoever believes in him will have living waters flow from their bellies.
(John 7:38 - He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.)
The term living waters, used in the book of John and in many other passages in the Bible, is symbolic of the spiritual sustenance and life-giving power given to us by Jesus Christ that satisfies our thirst and hunger in the spiritual sense. Ancient philosophies, many spiritual beliefs, and ancient religious texts have much to say on the stomach's connection to the spirit, body, and mind. Even secular science is starting to come to the strange conclusion that we have a brain in our bellies. Scientific research suggests that our digestive organ has a profound effect on our cognitive abilities, which is the mental process within our brains that encompasses a variety of functions such as perception, attention, thought process, imagination, reasoning, learning, memory, problem solving, decision making, and even judgment.
Scientific research has also shown that gut health is linked to many diseases and mental health disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, allergies, eczema, many cancers, depression, anxiety, stress, OCD, and many other issues. Throughout this book I will be highlighting the importance of the vitality of our gut health and its strong connection to our overall health and wellness. This book has been an almost 2-year project of collecting data and information from various sources, which includes philosophical, religious, and observable scientific research on the importance of gut health. I hope that as you read this book, it will bring much value to your mental, physical, and spiritual health.
(“ALL DISEASE BEGINS IN THE GUT” -
HIPPOCRATES)
The stomach is an organ in the upper gastrointestinal tract of humans. The most well-known function of this basic organ is to store and digest food and liquids that you consume during your meals. Our digestive system converts the foods we eat into their simplest forms, like amino acids (proteins), glucose (sugars), and fatty acids (fats). Although this is the most known function of the stomach, it is not the only function. Throughout this book I will make my case as to why I believe the stomach is the most vital part of your body and it is connected to your physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellness.
Your belly is not just an impure meat sack for the purpose of digesting foods and liquids, but it is in fact so much more. The stomach I would argue is the seat of emotional experiences, the origin of all diseases, and the home of the soul. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato wrote in his writings and proposed the idea that the stomach is the location of Eros, which is a concept that refers to strong desires and passions such as love and lust. Throughout the Holy Bible there is an overarching message about the spirit and the flesh being fully interactive and that our souls and even the Holy Spirit literally dwell and engage in its divine operations from within our bellies. Jesus even makes a statement in the book of John and says that whoever believes in him will have living waters flow from their bellies.
(John 7:38 - He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.)
The term living waters, used in the book of John and in many other passages in the Bible, is symbolic of the spiritual sustenance and life-giving power given to us by Jesus Christ that satisfies our thirst and hunger in the spiritual sense. Ancient philosophies, many spiritual beliefs, and ancient religious texts have much to say on the stomach's connection to the spirit, body, and mind. Even secular science is starting to come to the strange conclusion that we have a brain in our bellies. Scientific research suggests that our digestive organ has a profound effect on our cognitive abilities, which is the mental process within our brains that encompasses a variety of functions such as perception, attention, thought process, imagination, reasoning, learning, memory, problem solving, decision making, and even judgment.
Scientific research has also shown that gut health is linked to many diseases and mental health disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, allergies, eczema, many cancers, depression, anxiety, stress, OCD, and many other issues. Throughout this book I will be highlighting the importance of the vitality of our gut health and its strong connection to our overall health and wellness. This book has been an almost 2-year project of collecting data and information from various sources, which includes philosophical, religious, and observable scientific research on the importance of gut health. I hope that as you read this book, it will bring much value to your mental, physical, and spiritual health.
(“ALL DISEASE BEGINS IN THE GUT” -
HIPPOCRATES)
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2024
7 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 22, 2025
A facsinating book that explores a rather unexplored topic (at least in the book space).
The author argues that the seat of the soul is in the belly, which is where the "heart" is. All in all I think Vitaliy succeeds in making the case that the belly is at least directly connected to the heart (which contains the soul); which is momenetual regardless.
Pros:
1. Vitaliy relys on an array of evidence, biblical, historical, scientific, neurological, psychological etc. to make his case. I enjoyed the variety of insight that this book was able to provide on the gut.
2. Vitaliy does a great job of showcasing a scientific connection between the gut and brain
He relies on scientific evidence that shows a dynamic and multidirectional interaction between the belly and the brain.
For example, he brings up the gut- brain axis (GBA). The GBA "refers to the constant communication between the gastrointestinal system and the brain, which involves a complex network of biochemical signals, nerves, and microbial activity." the GBA likely affects motivation and higher cognitive skills within the brain and gut. For instance, " if you had a very stressful and anxious day at work, you will feel this in your belly."
3. The historic evidence is great as well, the Jews, Mayans, Greeks etc. all believed that the belly was the seat of many human emotions and mental faculties.
4. The biblical case is great as well, for example, Ancient biblical hebrews believed that believed that certain tender and sympathetic emotions can be specifically found in the bowels.
Hence, as the author points out, Lamentations 2:11, where the prophet Jeremiah expresses his empathy and sadness and states that his bowels are troubled.
In the bible, the heart is always spiritual in nature, while the term "gut" in and outside the bible clearly alludes to something physical with connections to the spiritual/mental. However, Vitaliy points out that there are some verses like john 7:38 (only 2 though), where the term gut...is used exclusively in the Spiritual sense.
Jesus, in John 7:38, says that "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water". The author points out that the term belly, is translated from κοιλία. This term is defined as the whole belly, the innermost part of a man, the soul, the seat of thought, emotion, and choice.
5. The author takes time to showcase that biblical fasting is healthy for the gut, as well as biblical eating restrictions established in the OT. For instance, eating too much leaven bread could result in behavioral issues.
6. The author provides various health dietray plans through out the book. These plans consists of ingredients, foods, and websites you can use to get or stay healthy.
Cons:
1. I wish that the scientific/neurological breakdowns were easier to understand for the typical layman.
2. A number of the studies referenced concluded that "too much of this can lead to gut issues", but one could say too much of any food or ingrediant can lead to issues.
The author argues that the seat of the soul is in the belly, which is where the "heart" is. All in all I think Vitaliy succeeds in making the case that the belly is at least directly connected to the heart (which contains the soul); which is momenetual regardless.
Pros:
1. Vitaliy relys on an array of evidence, biblical, historical, scientific, neurological, psychological etc. to make his case. I enjoyed the variety of insight that this book was able to provide on the gut.
2. Vitaliy does a great job of showcasing a scientific connection between the gut and brain
He relies on scientific evidence that shows a dynamic and multidirectional interaction between the belly and the brain.
For example, he brings up the gut- brain axis (GBA). The GBA "refers to the constant communication between the gastrointestinal system and the brain, which involves a complex network of biochemical signals, nerves, and microbial activity." the GBA likely affects motivation and higher cognitive skills within the brain and gut. For instance, " if you had a very stressful and anxious day at work, you will feel this in your belly."
3. The historic evidence is great as well, the Jews, Mayans, Greeks etc. all believed that the belly was the seat of many human emotions and mental faculties.
4. The biblical case is great as well, for example, Ancient biblical hebrews believed that believed that certain tender and sympathetic emotions can be specifically found in the bowels.
Hence, as the author points out, Lamentations 2:11, where the prophet Jeremiah expresses his empathy and sadness and states that his bowels are troubled.
In the bible, the heart is always spiritual in nature, while the term "gut" in and outside the bible clearly alludes to something physical with connections to the spiritual/mental. However, Vitaliy points out that there are some verses like john 7:38 (only 2 though), where the term gut...is used exclusively in the Spiritual sense.
Jesus, in John 7:38, says that "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water". The author points out that the term belly, is translated from κοιλία. This term is defined as the whole belly, the innermost part of a man, the soul, the seat of thought, emotion, and choice.
5. The author takes time to showcase that biblical fasting is healthy for the gut, as well as biblical eating restrictions established in the OT. For instance, eating too much leaven bread could result in behavioral issues.
6. The author provides various health dietray plans through out the book. These plans consists of ingredients, foods, and websites you can use to get or stay healthy.
Cons:
1. I wish that the scientific/neurological breakdowns were easier to understand for the typical layman.
2. A number of the studies referenced concluded that "too much of this can lead to gut issues", but one could say too much of any food or ingrediant can lead to issues.
March 1, 2025
A truth shown
It rings true. Clear and concise writing about an important topic. Our soul! It's "obvious" AfTeR reading this book. I appreciate this being brought into the light. Well done!
It rings true. Clear and concise writing about an important topic. Our soul! It's "obvious" AfTeR reading this book. I appreciate this being brought into the light. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews