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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,
un-forgiveness 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.
Digi-Ki 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. |
