Mind/Body/Spirit: The Meditation Connection

There has been much in the news about the interdependency of mind, body and spirit. Studies using brainwave technology measured actual physical changes in the brains of longtime meditators -- Tibetan monks. Recently another study showed how meditators often fared better than their nap-taking counterparts in mitigating the effects of sleep deprivation. Yet another explores the myth of multi-tasking, concluding that single focus is ultimately more efficient, less prone to errors and less stressful that trying to attend to more than one thing at a time. Meditation as a practice using single focus trains us to be more mindful of competing demands for our attention and to choose wisely by virtue of that awareness.

What is exciting about the new technologies and research is that perhaps science is finding ways to verify what the ancients already knew: practices that expand awareness and consciousness can be of benefit to all aspects of the human condition. This is particularly evident in looking at meditation as a practice.

One of the main "tasks" of the meditator is to quiet the mind. We use various techniques such as watching the breath, repeating a word or mantra, chanting, walking, listening to music or visually focusing on an object. This gives our brains something to do so that our body circuitry can adjust to a state of relaxation and become aware of what thoughts our minds are generating. This process itself further changes our body chemistry so we relax more.

Now think of the left brain as the spokesperson for the personality or ego self. It regulates some vital processes for our bodies, but it also has increasingly taken on the task of regulating what is OK for us to experience as a human being and how we interpret what we do experience. This regulatory process is conditioned by cultural, family and ego expectations. Unfortunately, this can form a rigid set of circuitry that limits our experience of both our internal and external world.

As we set aside some of the control functions of the left brain, we can become much more aware of our bodily and emotional processes. We use other perceptual organs such as the heart. Did you know that the majority of the cells in the heart are not muscle cells, but actually a type of neural cell? I am reminded, when I think of this, of the old adage, "The heart has reasons that reason knows nothing about."

Researchers are finding how the intestine and stomach, the source of our "gut instincts", channels other information essential for our well being directly to our central nervous system. But sometimes our minds get overbearing, so we don't pay as much attention to all those other sources of information. Most of us have had the experience of "something told me not to do that, but I didn't listen to my gut". Meditation reduces the filtering/interpretive component of the left brain and lets us go more directly to these other sources of information. The pathways for a balanced internal dialogue emerge.

We can begin to integrate in a more relaxed way all the pieces of ourselves that have become scattered, suppressed, or simply held so rigidly in place that they don't communicate with each other. What could be a better basis for physical and mental health?

The rational left brain does not go away. It does and must participate in this process. But the brain should be at the service of our inner spirit and our bodies and not just the other way around. I'd like to think too, that science, the purest manifestation of the rational mind, might also now be finding ways to be of service to spirit. In the Dark Ages, science and rational thought were sometimes called "heresy" by the church. In modern times, spirituality and "altered" consciousness has been called "superstition" by science. If we have learned anything, perhaps we can understand that neither pronouncement is true and that both aspects of experience are necessary to a balanced and uniquely human existence.

Finally, if we rely totally on rational thinking and science, then we might miss the opportunity for a partnership of mind, body and spirit to create other options for us, for life to exceed our expectations. How often we have heard stories of those who are disabled who have overcome incredible odds to lead fully accomplished lives. Here is where spirit, stretching the limitations of the mind and body, fosters an unexpected outcome. Here is where our humanity, merged with the still unexplainable experience of divinity transforms all.

Spirit inspires thought and belief to change experience. Meditation helps us see the limiting patterns of our mind and loosen their hold on our body and spirit.

Kay Goldstein, MA teaches meditation and writes poetry, fiction and articles addressing the challenges and joys of daily living and spiritual practice. You can read more at www.kaygoldstein.com or http://members.authorsguild.net/kaygoldstein/

Comments

[wayoutleft]

in a related development- at least one member of devo has started a solo project

[JamesRiddle]

Ekhart Tolle mentions in his books how he awoke to enlightenment one morning after years of deep depression and a particularily painful night before. When he awoke in the morning he was deeply conscious and magically free of suffering. He feels that the deep trauma of his years of suffering caused some sort of shift ( involuntary self-preservation) in his consciousness to awareness. He mentions that sometimes deep ,deep trauma and suffering can cause an involuntary shift into awareness.

If this is true how come the unspeakable traumas suffered by millons in Nazi concentration camps did not churn out at least thousands of deeply conscious people? I have never read a single account of anyone shifitng to deep awareness involuntarily becuase of intolerable trauma. I am not questioning the truth of what he says happened to him. I beleive him. But statistically speaking a huge section of the populous of the world should be shifting into awareness all of the time becuase of the grinding trauma that is their reality. Does anyone here have any thoughts on this?

[devadasi]

Start Whirling! It's a kick ass natural high.

[MissingAmerica]

I was introduced to meditation about three years ago, and began the practice. I met Dr. Wayne Dyer and had a chance to speak with him and, when I told him of my physical disability, he suggested Hatha Yoga. After having doctors just want to stick me in a wheelchair and fill me with pain pills, trying the holistic approach to treat the body/mind/spirit was one of those "what do I have to lose" decisions.

Three years later, my pain has decreased, my mind has settled, my weight is dropping, and through meditation and yoga I have been able to effectively banish stress from my life. I walk as much as 4 miles a day and am happier than ever. I'm well into my senior years, yet I still have to show ID for 55+ discounts. Life is good. To anyone suffering from anything, meditation will go a long way in helping you overcome any and all obstacles. Try it, you'll like it!

[Kay Goldstein - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for offering a real life example of the workings of the mind/body/spirit connection. Wishing you well....KG

[carolinacowboyinla]

I truly believe based on my own experiences that with proper nutrition, exercise, faith, and mediation you can truly find happiness, health and wealth. I was first introduced to meditation 20+ years ago by a phycologist who recommended I read the book, "Relaxation Response". I did what the book said, not knowing then that I was meditating.

I was recently introduced to a product called Mona Vie that has changed mine and my families life (health and nutrition) we all have a lot more energy, sleep better, and have less day to day aches and pains. It is just an all natural, wild, exotic blend of 19 organic fruits. It is expensive and purchased through a network marketing plan, BUT you know what, I don't care because I know that with as little as 4 ounces a day my family is getting the antioxidant levels of eating 13 servings of fruits and vegetables (try pricing that out if you want to see expensive) and I don't put a price on my health. You can get more info and make a purchase at www.thefactsaboutmonavie.com Listen I think we all owe it to ourselves to at least try this juice.

Morning: 2oz Mona Vie

Lunch: NO FAST FOOD PERIOD!

Dinner- something light ( fish or chicken and yes maybe a steak occasionally)

Night: 2oz of Mona Vie and 10-15 minutes quite time (meditation)

Anyway I hope this helps some of you, it simply works for me!

[Jonahson]

Here are two Buddist books that that will open up your mind to what I have mentioned;

A Buddhist Bible by Dwight Goddard (this book also contains the Shurangama Sutra.)

Shurangama Sutra by Charles Luk

Don't worry there is nothing in these books that ask you to believe in Budhhism. Keep an open mind.

[Kay Goldstein - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for the book suggestions. KG

[Gayrove]

Who are the famous women meditators in history or today?

[Jonahson]

Dear Gayrove, there is no fame to seek in meditation.

[Jonahson]

Very technical but let's get down to basic. Can you really see, know or feel your mind or spirit? Which part of you is the spirit or mind? What is ego? It is convenient to use these words as if we are writing an inspirational novel but can we identify these words within or are they just figures of speech?

Consiousness, perception, thinking, realization, ego are words we can identify within.

Develop insight to look into each of the 12 dependent origination and you will learn much more about 'yourself'.

[Agentlady007]

You sense the spirit and the mind and ego is self. Do you understand the difference?

Everyone is on their own spiritual journey. What may be your path to the truth -may not be someone else. You might learn more from your original theories, while others might think you're a loon for believing in them- and visa versa. Perception is personal..

[wm1066]

Think of the mind as an internet and each section in the brain as a computer, the view screen is right behind the eyes and the spirit is watching and controling the screen.
Hmmmm, maybe Iv'e had too much Earl Grey for my own good....

[wondering]

There are two problems with your analogy:

First, that is not the way the brain is organized. In a computer network, each computer is an independent entity, and can operate on its own. Even disconnected from the network, each computer can perform all the operations that every other computer can perform. Try separating the parts of the brain and see what happens.

Second, you are still using what Jonahson has identified as a figure of speech when you use the term "spirit" - we are all supposed to just "know" what a spirit is. But the term is actually indefinable, and thus meaningless in any practical sense. If you think I'm wrong, then go ahead, define "spirit". All of humanity awaits with bated breath.

[volumexxvii]

You've been reading too much Ayn Rand.. or maybe Richard Dawkins.

Consciousness, perception, thinking, and ego are concepts that are just as problematic as "mind" or "spirit".