How Well Do We Know Our Cellves?

I've been reading a great book called How We Live by Sherwin Nuland which provides a great introduction to the wonders of the body and physiology from the molecular biology level, to the cells, to the functions of the different systems in the body and how they interrelate. So much is happening within us (even when we are doing nothing) that we take fore granted, from the reactions necessary to sustain the 75 trillion cells in the average human body, each one actively working towards replicating the 3 billion base pairs in each DNA molecule. We are constantly changing, though we seem to be the same. In support of this activity, the structure and relationship of all of the systems (nervous, digestion, respiration, circulatory, etc.) in the body work together to keep all the cells (there are over two hundred different kids of cells in the body) happy and allow me to have a sense of myself. The complexity of it all kind of boggles the mind, yet it is happening pretty naturally for the 7 or so billion people on this planet.

Each cell is a fairly complex system in its own right and the coordination involved in the creation of a living fetus from just two cells coming together, a sperm and egg, is nothing short of magic. From a cell’s perspective, nutrients and oxygen must just kind of show up as they are needed. There is some communication between cells via the nervous and circulatory systems. When I think about raising my hand, it goes up (though that can be debated - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Libet). How does one live in a way that keeps all 75 trillion cells or so happy? If I can do that, maybe I will also become happy (by definition perhaps). Or to rephrase, if I am not happy, which of my 75 trillion cells are creating this unhappiness and why?

Do you keep in touch with yourcellves? Have you tried bringing your attention or awareness to the different systems, organs, or cells that make up your body?

From a macro-perspective, I’ve always have trouble ordering whenever I go to eat at a restaurant. What should I order? When taking my kids out for food, it is always a challenge trying to balance their needs and requests. But eating for 75 trillion cells? I always try to ask myself “What do you feel like eating” and listen for an answer, then trying to explore what motivates me to make the choice.

Sometimes there are budgetary factors in eating (cost). Other times, my selection may be for convenience (I’ll have the usual) or to create common ground in a relationship (“I’ll have whatever you are having”). I’ve noticed that emotions can also be tied to eating. Certain foods remind me of memories from my past. I have a love of ice-cream that is related to memories of my father taking me to Howard Johnsons when I was a child (remember those metal bowls?). I also caught myself ordering Gnocci whenever I go to Italian restaurants because of an experience I had the first time I tried them.

It seems that there may be a potential danger if decisions are made based upon external factors without consulting all of the cells. Correlating foods to images and desires as they try to do in advertising (e.g., Coke, McDonalds) can create a disconnect between the “macro” decisions of what do I eat from “micro” needs.

Appreciating how my cells work together to create my physical form reminds me of a trip I took with my wife and kids earlier this year to Hawaii where we swam in the ocean with dolphins. Seeing them swim and play together and interacting with them directly makes one appreciate what is possible between people and how we relate to each other on this planet. Learning about how the cells work together takes relating to each other to a whole new level! If we looked at each person as a cell and considered all of humanity to be being (as a subset of the Gaia Hypothesis), what would you say your role was? How do you relate to the other cells? How does what you do contribute to the sustainability of the whole?