One of the truths about stomach disorders: lack of receptivity The basic function of the stomach is receptivity, accepting substances that come from the outside and can be digested. The ability to receive requires the qualities of openness, passivity and commitment. These qualities are symbolic of the feminine energy, the female energy, which corresponds to “water”. On a psychological level this means the ability to feel. People who keep their feelings hidden have them expressed in the stomach. The second truth about stomach problems: anger is not expressed. In addition to acceptance, another function of the stomach is masculine: the secretion of gastric acid. The function of stomach acid is to attack, to corrode, to dissolve. So in German, anger and “acid” are the same word. If a person does not consciously deal with his or her anger and express the aggression, the anger will be expressed in the stomach in the form of stomach acid. Acid reflux is the body’s way of reminding us to feel our aggression and anger, and not to impose this work on the stomach. Gastric Truth #3: Conflict Avoidance Gastrics tend to avoid conflict, unconsciously longing to return to a conflict-free infancy and consume porridge-like baby food. The food must be soft, free of hard lumps, and attacked by prior heating over a flame. These are symbolic of the stomach’s inability to tolerate conflict. Raw and cold foods are too “primitive and dangerous” for stomach patients. The avoidance of irritating foods is also an avoidance of stimuli in life. Flatulence means I’ve had enough. Medications for acid overproduction produce burping, which means that the air is let out to make some “breathing room. Medications for gastric disorders involve sedative drugs that cut the connection between the psychological response and the vegetative nerves. In severe cases of gastritis, the nerves responsible for the secretion of gastric acid are even surgically severed. In both cases, the “feelings” and the “stomach” are separated, so that the stomach is isolated from external stimuli and the feelings are no longer expressed at the physical level. Rather than expressing anger and aggression externally, they are expressed internally, creating ulcers, small holes in the lining of the stomach: the stomach digesting itself, devouring itself. Stomach patients need to learn, consciously, to feel, to deal with conflicts, to digest external psychological stimuli. The stomach patient should be consciously aware of his or her desire for infantile dependence, the need for the security of the mother, the desire to be loved, to be taken care of. Behind the appearance of independence, pride, and ability to do things, the stomach, speaks the truth. Questions for stomach patients to think about 1. What am I “swallowing”? 2. What am I so angry about? 3. How do I live with my feelings? 4. How do I express my aggression? 5. Am I avoiding conflict? 6. Do I desire to be loved and cared for, and how can I express this?