Book Review by Russ Warnick
This book, updated in 2016, provides a detailed overview of cellular biology based on the author’s knowledge as an academic cellular biologist. Lipton explains conscious and subconscious
expressions of the human mind. He describes cellular function, making the case that the membrane, not the DNA, primarily determines cellular function. A key observation is that matter is organized energy, explained by quantum physics. However, even though the science of physics has progressed to quantum physics, much of our technology and practices are still based on the older Newtonian Physics, cause and effect, and energy modalities are largely ignored or even denigrated in western medicine.
Lipton was trained as a cellular biologist and subsequently became a scientific researcher at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine. Later he moved to Stanford University where he performed pioneering research in molecular biology, primarily in research on stem cells. He has become an internationally recognized authority in relating leading edge science to the more spiritual side of human behavior. Lipton has become an internationally prominent lecturer on these topics and appears frequently on TV and radio shows. His book is one of the more influential current books as measured by Amazon.
The book explains in highly technical but understandable to the lay person detail about cellular function. The DNA, which contains the genes, is the blueprint for coding proteins which are essential for cellular function. But he makes the case that the DNA is not in charge. The cell membrane, the interface with the external environment, determines which genes are turned on and ultimately function. He explains epigenetics, how behavior and actions can modulate the expression of the DNA and even transmit individual behaviors to future generations. The primary message is that our behavior is not controlled or determined by our DNA, but can be controlled by each of us as individuals.
Lipton explains that the subconscious mind has a major effect on our behavior. Some behaviors are innate, i.e. present at birth. But during the early childhood years, the infant is like a sponge absorbing learning that programs the subconscious and influences future behavior. More brain activity occurs in the subconscious portion than in the conscious mind. An interesting observation is that this subconscious programming has a major effect on later behavior and yet is largely inaccessible to conventional talk therapy. Hence the value of modalities such as EMDR that can influence the subconscious programming. The book provides an overview and links to EMDR and other similar resources.
More controversial is his argument that mainstream Western medicine is still primarily based on Newtonian physics, which remains useful as a foundation for much of the technology in our society, but has been largely superseded in physics by Quantum Mechanics. A key premise of Quantum Mechanics is that matter is composed of organized energy. The protons and electrons as well as their sub-particles that make up all matter are composed of energy. What we think of as solid matter is mainly empty space with these fundamental particles that make up our atoms and molecules moving to provide substance. Lipton makes a strong case that as we are basically composed of energy, energy related modalities should be effective in affecting our individual energy fields. This is a concept that is certainly neglected but even looked down upon in mainstream western medicine. He is quite critical, for example, of the pharmaceutical industry, which has evolved from making antibiotics that cure diseases, to making up diseases which require their products to cure. Pharmaceutical therapeutics are tied to cause and effect, a chemical that affects chemical actions in the body, but ignore the underlying energy-based composition of the body.
In summary, this book The Biology of Belief, is not only an interesting read, but opens up an entirely new way of thinking about our bodies and how best to influence our overall health.