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Mind over Matter by Michael Phelan - August 2001 We have all been intrigued by the recent studies that seem to validate what Oriental, East Indian and Native American cultures have been trying to tell us for many years, that our state of mind effects our health and well-being. Unfortunately repressed anger, unforgiveness and fear have their way of manifesting in our physical body, through neurosis, depression or perhaps cancer. Fortunately a positive attitude and a good sense of spiritual connection seem to translate into a healthier body. Either way, we tend to manifest our state of mind and general life attitudes into our human garment and the way it expresses itself in the third dimension. This seems to be quite a clear choice. But is a good attitude just a matter of choice? Is it always that simple? Sometimes other circumstances seem to enter our life from the outside and effect us profoundly in ways that are beyond our control. My experience seems to indicate that we still draw all our experiences to us by means of this same attitude, state of mind and sense of spiritual connection. But that is really not what I would like to look at here. I want to explore the mirror of this concept of mind over matter as it concerns our bodies, health and well-being. If we understand that there is this powerful connection between consciousness and physical manifestation, then we can surely become adept at reading someone’s state of mind and perhaps spirituality by reading the physical signs. The way a person stands, sits and walks can tell us a tremendous amount of information about that person. To begin, it is helpful to realize that we have two skeletons. The one we are familiar with is made up of our bones. The one we are not as familiar with is made up of the connective tissue that wraps each muscle group, organ and even each cell in the body. New research suggests that this tissue is nearly a second nervous system passing fluids and electrical messages to and from cells, organs and nerve endings. This intricate system has been nearly ignored by the medical professions but is now found to be extremely important to our health. The reason I call this connective tissue the second skeleton is that it serves a similar purpose as the bones in holding our bodies in their familiar shapes. But problems arise when toxins build up, or rigid patterns, either mental or physical, start to limit the flexibility and electrical viability of this tissue. What was meant to be connective in nature becomes a barrier. What was meant to be supportive becomes restrictive. Rather than having direct and joyful communication between organs and cells within our bodies we have isolation. Just as those who lose remembrance of their spiritual connection become isolated and depressed, so do the organs and cells within our bodies begin to withdraw from life, as they are cut off from the life force energy they require. These connective tissues physically manifest the attitudes, beliefs and experiences they inherit from our mental and physical hand-me-downs. Imagine what a hard headed, stiff necked type of person would look like. Would they possibly manifest arthritis in their neck? Imagine someone who feels they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. If you hear someone say their knees are killing them, how do think their knees feel about that statement? Someone who has had several relationship wounds to their heart Chakra may tend to curve their shoulders and sink in their chest to protect that area. It can become pretty easy to see these things in the physical mirror, as the connective tissue becomes rigid from toxins and the stifling nature of protective repetition. This tissue actually begins to hold us to these patterns of behavior and movement, not even allowing new thoughts and attitudes to be an option. This tissue literally becomes a second skeleton holding us in place, both physically and mentally. The space around our bodies is an extension of our energy bodies and representative of its nature. In front of us is the conscious mind, with the unconscious mind to our rear. The logical mind is to our right side, with the intuitive mind represented to our left side. Observing how we move or do not move into these areas is mirroring the same information about our nonphysical being or energy selves. If you were to watch a tennis player you may see them take short stabs at the ball, without a deep backstroke, failing to dip into this well of inspiration from that intuitive area of their energy body. The good news of mind over matter is that it is a two way street. Each affects the other, indeed each is the other. If we are in a place where we feel comfortable and at home, then we usually relax and allow our energy field to expand and our attitude feels positive. If we relax and expand our energy field we may actually create the positives feelings and start to feel comfortable in our surroundings. We can approach most anything from either perspective and create the other in the process. We can purposefully move and stretch in ways that are not typical for us and find that we have also stretched our mental and spiritual possibilities. Hatha Yoga was designed for just this purpose, to prepare the body to allow for the explorations of meditation. Tai Chi is also excellent for moving into unfamiliar territory, and opening oneself to the abundant energy that surrounds us. Ki Fingers is wonderful for stretching connective tissues and re-establishing energy flow in these areas. Staying limber is important in all levels of our being. If we wish to embrace life’s wholeness, we must discover the benefits of being soft headed. We must move beyond the rigid restrictive nature of the second skeleton within our bodies, and become the connective tissue of our space in the universe.
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