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The Link Between Attitude and Digestion · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  The mother provides simple yet powerful guidance about the
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  connection between one's attitude and his digestive
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  system. If we consider for a moment the
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  times when we are out of sorts, feeling angry or bitter or
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  somewhat sharp and biting in our reactions to others, we can see
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  that in many cases there is a reaction that knots up the
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  digestive system. We experience various
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  disturbances of the digestion and we feel generally out of
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  sorts. Many people who suffer chronic
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  digestive upsets have a generally negative attitude
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  towards life. The connection works in both
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  directions. A bitter frame of mind can cause
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  digestive disturbance, but also the digestive system is capable
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  of sending back signals to the brain when there is some organic
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  cause of disturbance there, leading to a sour mental
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  attitude. This relationship between the
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  digestive system and the mind has been in recent years
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  extensively studied by medical researchers.
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  They validated the signal pathway and the result and
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  conclude that states of worry or anxiety in particular can upset
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  the digestion. The development of stomach or
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  duodenal ulcers is just one manifestation of the power of
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  the attitude to harm the digestive tract.
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  Studies actually have shown that about 50% of digestive issues
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  are caused by the disturbed mental attitude, while the other
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  50% show that digestive issues have caused the mental attitude.
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  This tight interrelation between the two systems provides a clue
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  for managing the situation. As an individual becomes more
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  aware, he can begin to consciously undertake steps to
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  bring calm, peace, contentment to the being.
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  These actions, whether through development of an attitude of
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  harmlessness and kindness, emotional goodwill, conscious
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  attention, breathing techniques, meditation, chanting, music, or
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  other modes of action, can reduce anxiety and begin to
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  create a positive feedback loop that aids both the mind and the
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  digestive system, the mother writes.
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  Quote Always be kind and you will be free from suffering.
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  Always be contented and happy and you will radiate your quiet
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  happiness. It is particularly noticeable
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  that all the digestive functions are extremely sensitive to an
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  attitude that is critical, bitter, full of ill will to a
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  sour judgement. Nothing disturbs the functioning
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  of the digestion more than that, and it is a vicious circle.
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  The more the digestive function is disturbed, the more unkind
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  you become. Critical, dissatisfied with life
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  and things and people. So you can't find any way out.
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  And there is only one cure. To deliberately drop this
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  attitude, to absolutely forbid yourself to have it, and to
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  impose upon yourself by constant self-control a deliberate
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  attitude of all comprehending kindness.
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  Just try and you will see that you feel much better.
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  End Quote Reference Sri Aurobindo and the Mother,
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  Looking from within, Chapter 2. Looking at Oneself and Others,
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  pages 44 to 45.