Mind, Body and Consciousness are all connected

We know that the immune system, like the central nervous system, has memory and the capacity to learn.  Thus, it could be said that intelligence is located not only in the brain but in cells that are distributed throughout the body, and that the traditional separation of mental processes, including emotions, from the body is no longer valid.

                                                                        Candace Pert, Molecules of Emotion

 

 

While many scientists and medical professionals acknowledge the interdependence of mind, body and consciousness, it is taking time for this to be reflected in the mainstream practice of health and well-being. Classical physics and philosophy considered the mind and body to be completely separate. What someone was thinking had nothing to with their body and conversely, what was going on in the body was in no way related to the workings of the mind.

 

We now know this is not the case. As the discoveries of quantum physics have shown, when we investigate the subtlest aspects of nature, there is no separation. The billiard ball model of particles bumping into each other has been replaced by an understanding of the interconnected nature of a field of energy that underlies all existence. There is only one thing. Connection, not separation, is Reality.

 

For every state of consciousness there is a corresponding state in the mind.

Let’s say you have been consuming something that dulls your awareness. In this diminished state of consciousness, the mind is fuzzy and your thoughts are all over the place. It is more difficult to string together coherent sentences and it’s very hard to act in a balanced way. The dull state of consciousness leads to dull thinking and results in weak actions. Contrast that with a time when you are feeling very aware and tuned in to your surroundings. In that state, your mind picks up on subtle details, concentrates on what’s going on, and you’re on top of your game.

 

For every state of the mind there is a corresponding state in the body.

Imagine a mind that’s full of agitation and anxiety, worrying about something that may or may not happen. Immediately the chemical messaging system of the brain begins to kick into action. Neurotransmitters go out to the cells of the body laden with information. In this case, fear.

 

The cells of the body spontaneously respond by printing out the neurochemistry of fear. Within seconds the fearful mind has created a fearful body.

 

As Candace Pert describes so clearly in her book, Molecules of Emotion, “A feeling sparked in your mind will translate as a peptide being released somewhere. Peptides regulate every aspect of your body, from whether you’re going to digest your food properly to whether you’re going to destroy a tumor cell.”

 

A fearful mind leads to a fearful body. An angry mind leads to an angry body. The body is very quickly a reflection of what is happening in the more subtle realm of thinking. Quite literally, you are what you think. Every time you think, you are initiating a pattern of reactions within the body.

 

For every state of the body there is a corresponding state in the mind.

Think of a night when you hardly sleep at all – perhaps only an hour or two. We’ve all had those nights, whether it’s due to an infant who is not well, noisy neighbors or a looming presentation at work the next day. How is your mental functioning the day after? How able are you to focus? How easy is it to stay balanced and alert? The state of fatigue in the body affects your mind and state of consciousness, leaving you feeling scattered and unable to concentrate. Conversely, imagine you awaken from eight hours of glorious deep sleep. You feel clear, mentally alert and able to concentrate. You’re less likely to be overwhelmed by the demands of your day.