Many of us think we already tune into ourselves. However, we tend to focus on the externals more than the internals. We know where that new wrinkle is and we wish lifting weights did more for our triceps. We fret about that smidge of a belly or wanting to reconnect with our recliner during football season. But, to benefit from new wisdom emerging over recent decades about our human selves, it’s going to take more than ordering salad dressing on the side. To find the whole human we can take a bold step forward together, starting right now. But first, we travel back in time.
Body of Evidence
One of the most enduring and inaccurate concepts about the human is that mind and body are separate. In most industrialized societies, the body is viewed as a machine, separate from the mind. But where did this originate? Rene Descartes, a 15th century mathematician and philosopher, claimed the body, made of matter, works exactly like a machine, obeying the laws of physics and motion like a contraption of levers and pulleys. Sir Isaac Newton also viewed the universe’s matter as a machine separate from the less physical stuff of mind. Both these thinkers popularized a philosophy separating mind and matter, claiming that something as non-material as the ethereal mind could not influence the body. A line was drawn between head and body, establishing the philosophical lens through which academic disciplines viewed our world.
However, nearly 100 years ago quantum physics shockingly redefined the relationship between matter and the immaterial world. These findings showed undreamed of relationships and unity existing right inside our bodies and universe. The implication is that mind and body are not separate, but interdependent and wholly related, and in fact, inseparable. Since then, quantum science has revealed in new light what ancient traditions always knew – all life is interconnected. It is time to finally grow beyond the “body as machine” idea. Freed of its stereotype, the body can be respected for what it really is – a wise sage, guiding us daily, with our best interests in mind.
The Mind/Body Partnership
Beyond telling us to eat or sleep, our bodies constantly convey what is best for us. We now know the body manifests emotions in a two-way relationship with the mind. Molecules related to emotions were discovered in the 1970s. Scientists then found receptors for these “molecules of emotion” throughout the body, molecular matter co-creating emotions. A high density of these receptors is in our stomach area – perhaps finally explaining the source of our “gut feelings.” So finely tuned are these receptors that they frequently sense subtleties and register responses before we are even consciously aware of them.
Yes, the body does more than just carry our head. But what is our head for, anyway? A head is for thinking, dreaming, and inventing – all the exciting psychological dynamics of being human. But let’s reflect for a minute. Consider “gut feelings” again. Can we really say thinking is strictly the gray matter’s business? You certainly notice your breath changes in response to thinking. What about the muscles in your back, tightness in your shoulders? The body is intimately linked with cognition, telling us how we feel about our thinking.
How can we use this new perspective in daily decision-making? A valuable technique is to acknowledge both—think with the head and with the gut or heart. After considering a decision thoroughly, focus your attention to see how it aligns with the body. This is our built-in reality check. How does the decision feel? Sometimes in frustration we ask ourselves “What is going on with me!” There’s a good chance your body knows. However, many of us are out of practice, literally out of touch with ourselves. It’s like developing any new relationship – be patient and diligent – this is a relationship worth working for.
The Spiritual Connection
This relationship asks one more thing of us – to acknowledge our spiritual nature. According to the 2006 General Social Survey conducted by The National Opinion Research Center, 92.6 percent of us believe in God or a higher power. Supporting our spiritual side brings our three strongest allies together – mind, body and spirit, the all star team of big hitters. Spirit, soul, goddess, divine essence, whatever name you use, this aspect of being human is just as essential to our vitality. Without nurturing our spirituality we inadvertently reject this intrinsic part of ourselves, innocently denying the whole human.
Thankfully there are many ways to awaken spiritually. We can spend time in nature, read spiritual texts, connect with art and beauty, contact dear friends, join a spiritual community, value dreams and cherish each other. Turning off the TV, taking the Bluetooth out of our ears and giving the iPod a rest also increases our human connection, allowing us instead to tune into others and ourselves.
Our Seasonal Rhythms
The timing is perfect to invigorate our new awareness of the mind, body, and spirit trinity. The changing seasons provide a great opportunity to practice living as a whole human, taking our cue from nature where the rate, rhythm and volume of life fluctuates seasonally. As the days grow shorter now in fall, our mood, health, activity and interests change. According to traditional Chinese medicine, specific organs and emotions go through a seasonal rebuilding process as well.
Emotionally, fall is a time to harvest knowledge from the busy seasons of spring and summer as we slow down, becoming more introspective about the past few months in preparation for winter. This is a good time to address cues from our body that we’ve been too busy to inquire about. Winter brings us into a time for potential spiritual renewal, drawing our attention both inward toward home and the heart. Reaching out to family and friends keeps the winter blues at bay, as does indulging in a new book or project.
We are beginning to acknowledge the innate power unleashed when mind, body and spirit ignite. In one example, according to Harold Koenig, MD, Co-Director, Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University, “The field of spirituality and health has been growing at an extraordinary rate and can now point to the completion of some 3,000 studies. There has been more research in the last 7 or 8 years than in the previous 150.” It is time to shake free from beliefs we’ve outgrown, consciously integrating up-to-date discoveries to enliven our potential. This is key to successfully navigate life, realizing more of who we truly are—a whole human. Feedback: lisa1wood@yahoo.com.
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