WHAT IS THE MIND-BODY-SOUL CONNECTION
The mind-body connection is an inherent component of holistic medicine (which, if you read my previous blog post, is explained as a healthcare philosophy that seeks to treat a person's totality in Body, Mind and Spirit).
Many people have a hazy understanding of what the mind-body-soul connection entails. However, to put it simply, the Mind, Body, Soul connection are elements that collectively unite and allow us to organize the human experience in part, adding adhesion to the greater whole. In this case, when we speak about the mind-body connection, what we are talking about is the link between a person's beliefs, actions, emotions, bodily and mental health and Spirit.
THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE MIND-BODY-CONNECTION
Awareness of the mind-body connection is by no means new. However, learning the history and evolution of mind-body medicine takes a journey of intrigue, power, development, and politics within established institutions. Every medical practice throughout the world and history has cultivated an approach or strategy for the mind and body.
Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who understood the moral and spiritual aspects of healing, believed that the mind plays an imperative role in creating homeostasis and equilibrium within our bodies. Essentially, the same concept is embraced by the Middle Eastern, Ayurvedic, and Chinese health systems (encompassing a wide breadth of preventative, curative, and holistic health practices and techniques).
REDUCTIONISM AND WESTERN MEDICINE
While this unified approach remains maintained in traditional healing systems in the East, developments in the western world have become subject to the reductionism/dualism theory. This theory states the mind and body as two distinct entities, free of any interpersonal relationship with another. In this view, the body is like a machine, complete with replaceable, independent parts but with no wholesome connection to the mind, vice versa. This Reductionism school of thought considers the mind as merely an object part of the body and believes, "The disease process is sovereign of the mind. This is somewhat a shame because the reductionist viewpoint versus the Holistic one has significantly reduced scientific analysis into human consciousnesses, spirituality, and the innate ability to heal via the power of thought, emotions, physical touch, diet and physical movement from an integrative standpoint. At the same time, this Western viewpoint has shown to be beneficial in acting as the foundation for advances in surgery, trauma care, pharmaceuticals, and other allopathic medicine sectors.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THESE 3 BRAINS
Mind-Body medicine is backed up by evidence-based science. Research reports we have three separate neural pathway networks, leading to our head, gut and heart. These are what we refer to as the three brains capable of controlling how we respond and perceive our outer world(What's In a Version Number, Anyway? - Coding Horror.https://blog.codinghorror.com/whats-in-a-version-number-anyway/).
It is vital to look after and nurture each 'brain' to conduct focus and clarity to ensure balance and optimal wellbeing are asserted in every dimension of our lives.
For instance, to foster positive relationships and authentic connections in support of our spiritual and emotional health, we must be in tune with our own needs while also being sensitive and willing to understand the same for those around us.
INTEGRATION
While our Body, Mind and Emotions may seem to be three separate parts in us, they are each intimately connected and reliant upon one another. When integrated, they complete our unique human essence and allow us to lead from a place of wholeness. The interconnectedness of our Body, Mind and Emotions means that we experience what we experience of all three in one part.
When we experience disease or pain in our Body, our Mind and Emotions are also affected. When negative thoughts or fear occur in our mind, our body tenses up and our nervous system is triggered. Our Emotions alert us through physical sensations that are gathered and felt within our physical body. When our connection to our Emotions is frail, we may turn to our Minds to find the answers to why we think the way we do than follow up with our Spirit or higher self for guidance.
The truth is, these aspects of The Body-Mind-Spirit are always in communication with each other. Our Souls are still witnessing this relationship because our Body, Mind and Emotions are always present in every single thing that we think, consume, say or do.
Now, let us look at each aspect of the Mind, Body-connect, to understand this topic better.
MIND
To start, we have the mind. The mind governs the mental and emotional aspects of our being. It houses our consciousness – and is made up of our Superconscious, Subconscious and Conscious psyches (WHAT IS THE BODY-MIND-SPIRIT CONNECTION? — KenshōWellness.https://www.kenshowellness.com/blog/2018/10/20/what-is-the-body-mind-spirit-connection). Our mind allows us to make sense of the world and powers our ability to think and conceive concepts. The mind can perform at varying levels and essentially is the thought mechanism that stimulates our physical body to experience life in operation with the brain. The Soul, as such, determines how the body responds to everyday stimuli. It is important to note that the "mind" is not synonymous with the brain. Instead (according to multiple sources across the board), the mind consists of mental states such as thoughts, emotions, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions. The brain is the tool that allows us to undergo the mental states of our minds to process our feelings, emotions and everyday stimuli.
EMOTIONS
Our emotions are ethereal and cannot be seen; they can only be felt. Each feeling and emotion carries a unique signature and can determine our likes, dislikes, desires, and needs. Our emotions ask nothing of us except to recognize and accept them as they are.
One 2013 study constituted the first "map" that illustrated the links between our emotions and our body sensations.
In the study, Finnish researchers induced different emotions in 701 participants and then asked them to colour in a Body map of where they felt increasing or decreasing activity (Nummenmaa et al., 2013).Participants in the study were from Western European countries (Finland and Sweden) and East Asian countries (Taiwan). Despite the cultural differences, the researchers found remarkable similarities in how participants responded. The researchers explain their findings as followed: "Most basic emotions were associated with sensations of elevated activity in the upper chest area, likely corresponding to changes in breathing and heart rate. Similarly, sensations in the head area were shared across all emotions, reflecting probably both physiological changes in the facial area […] as well as the felt changes in the contents of mind triggered by the emotional events."
The pictures below represent the body maps for the six raw emotions. Yellow indicates the highest level of activity, followed by red. Black is neutral, while blue and light blue indicate lowered and deficient activity, respectively. (Reference: Body-Mind Integration: Training Attention for Mental and .... https://positivepsychology.com/body-mind-integration-attention-training/)
Even so, as an example, it is no secret that, When we are stressed, our body releases two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol—known as the stress hormones.
Moreover, those that state they thrive under chaos when propelled towards a call of action are thriving off the positive secretion of this hormone which would be considered good stress because awareness and responsibility alongside the need to take radical action is induced and heightened. Releasing these hormones too frequently, however, can have adverse long-term effects on the body leading to:
Weakened immune response
Digestive problems
Slow down the regenerative and healing process
which in turn can take a drastic toll on our physical health
BODY
Next is our body-Our physical structure of this world and the vessel containing our Soul. With our bodily organs such as our brain, muscles and fat- our body consists of about 50 trillion+ cells, collectively organizing our tissues, nerves, bones, and organs into our Outward physical form. The body can self-regulate and heal itself through a process called homeostasis and usually communicates to us through symptoms and bodily sensations. Every mental state we experience all-around within our minds and emotions can positively or negatively impact the physical body. (For example, the mental state of anxiety produces stress hormones, as I just mentioned above, which, when left unchecked, can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes). Taking care of our bodies helps us maintain a healthy and clear-minded awareness of our internal, external triggers, worries, and woes. Typically speaking, if our physical health is sound, but other areas within our lives are not, our bodily health will eventually deteriorate and potentially become reshaped by the effects of reduced motivation, low confidence, lack of willpower and determination. Besides, weak physical health can interchangeably affect our emotional and mental state, leaving our spirits depleted of energy. Henceforth, we should do our best to learn and apply ways to nourish our physical bodies to build strength all around.
SOUL
On the other hand, our souls are the non-physical aspect of ourselves: our personal, individual expression of the divine. They are the part of us that longs to have meaning and seeks answers to the great questions of Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? The Soul is eternal, and it communicates in the language of
Creative expressions and is guided or lead astray by divine orchestration. The Soul is the core of our being. We can never experience happiness by suppressing our Spirit and our Soul. The mind needs to feed the Soul with rich inner thoughts and perceptions, without which life does not exist. By connecting to our internal guidance system and raising our consciousness, the mind nourishes the Soul by cultivating self and collective awareness of the pain-body experience to attain profound peace and inner bliss. In turn, we are prompting the Soul to connect with the Divine/ Universal Intelligence/God /Nature's Wisdom within the environment we live in to gain an untainted understanding of reality.
MIND BODY THERAPIES
Mind-body therapies are healing techniques that promote relaxation and encourage mindfulness. These therapies are interrelated with various use of the body to affect the mind and vice versa.
Many mind-body therapies focus on becoming more conscious of mental states and using this increased awareness to guide our Spirit towards a better, less destructive direction.
Acupuncture
Art therapy
Biofeedback
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Group Therapy
Guided Imagery
Meditation
Music Therapy
Prayer
Qigong
Tai Chi
Yoga
Progressive muscle relaxation
Stress-reduction techniques
These interventions provide psychological benefits and may play a significant role in mediating our cognitive and physical health.
In conclusion, Mind-body methods have latent benefits and support. Future research concentrating on fundamental mind-body devices and individual diversity in acknowledgments is likely to generate new insights that may heighten the effectiveness and unique tailoring of mind-body interventions. In the meantime, there is considerable evidence that mind-body interventions have definite effects on mental functioning and condition of living. That all being said if you made it this far thank you for reading.
Until the next post, take care!
References:
WHAT IS THE BODY-MIND-SPIRIT CONNECTION? — Kenshō Wellness. https://www.kenshowellness.com/blog/2018/10/20/what-is-the-body-mind-spirit-connection
What Is the Mind-Body Connection? | Taking Charge of Your .... https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-is-the-mind-body-connection
What Is the Mind-Body Connection? | Taking Charge of Your .... https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-is-the-mind-body-connection
Mind-Body Medicine: An Overview - Mental Help. https://www.mentalhelp.net/alternative-medicine/mind-body-medicine-an-overview/
Wix Images
https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2018/06/18/mind-this-research-reveals-the-power-of-the-mind/
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Emotions
https://quotesgram.com/heart-mind-body-soul-quotes/
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