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by Milan Galan, Ph.D.
Mind, Body and Spirit — how are they connected? I have travelled to more than 18 countries, read thousands of books, studied countless genres, obtained enough degrees to satisfy at least four smart people, and racked up enough debt in students loans to pay for a nice house trying to figure out the answer to that question. I can sum up all of the knowledge I have obtained on this topic in the words of Socrates, “The only true knowledge is knowing that you know nothing.”
Recently, I experienced a slight hiccup in my marriage. Okay, it was more than a hiccup. To find the answer to, “Why me,” I moved halfway around the world. For a mere $1,000, I joined a meditation center that offered all the answers to my problems. Their answer – “breath.” Now, I don’t want to discount this practice as it was exactly what I needed in my moment of crisis. They offered interesting insights into health and wellness that I can add to my repertoire, but breath, really? You'd think a thousand bucks would get you a little more than that. I guess the economy is effecting everyone on a global scale (pay a lot, get a little). The thing is, I have been “breathing” my whole life without much change in my evolution. Perhaps when it comes to breathing, it’s all about technique.
After that experience, I came to realize something – there really isn't any one answer. Everything plays an important role in our overall health. Not only should we be careful about what we put in our mouths to nourish our bodies, but we should be even more cautious about what we put in our minds. The common theme that runs through all the books I have read and all the studies I have practiced is that our thoughts create the majority of what happens to our physical body and the life that we are living. Our thoughts can create disease, poverty, unhappiness and discontent just as easily as they can create health, peace, prosperity and happiness.
The mind is where we need to start to clear the clutter to make way for better health and spiritual fulfillment. Of course, the question is, “How do we free our minds?” This is where it can get rather confusing because I don’t believe that there is any one answer. Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, just sat on a park bench for two years and became enlightened. There are others like Deepak Chopra, Louise Haye, Almine, Sathya Sai Baba and Ernest Holmes who all would give you a different perspective on how to obtain spiritual fulfillment. Yet, I think each of them would agree with the Third Noble Truth in Buddhism that states, “Suffering ceases when you free your mind from attachment to things and from the need to control them.” Turning off the monkey chatter in our heads is no easy task. However, it can be done.
Many people suggest that the easiest way to get a handle on the mind is through meditation. I tend to agree with this. Taking time each and every day to be still and quiet the mind is a good start to getting a handle on your thoughts. For those of you who are a bit more like me and create your to-do list while practicing meditation, I would suggest something a little more proactive. I like to call it “active awareness.” In the beginning, this takes a lot of work and awareness (hence the name).
The first thing is to become aware of your negative thoughts toward yourself and others. If you find yourself drifting off to negative thoughts about someone, simply think the word “stop” or “cancel.” Say this until you actually stop the thought. It will take some time to master this task. However, after you learn to stop your negative thoughts, you can then start to reframe the scenario or thought into something positive. From that point, you can move in different, positive directions because you have been training yourself to be aware and more in control of your mind.
So often, we get caught up in “my story” — I am sick; I am broke; I hate my job; my marriage isn’t working; I can’t seem to get a break; why me? We perpetuate the cycle of negativity in our lives because it is all that we tend to focus on. Frankly, it is understandable as it has become an American epidemic. You can hardly go anywhere or talk to anyone without hearing about some crisis. I know for myself, I can't call anyone in my family without hearing that someone is sick, dead or broke. I have learned to simply change the subject. In the beginning, it shortened most of my conversations to about three minutes or less, but I was still so programmed to talk about negative things. Again, with practice, you can keep things light and positive for your own well-being as well as to spread this weird anomaly called happiness to those around you.
You don’t need to start out with lofty goals to change. Begin with something small and stick with it until it becomes a habit. If nothing else, start out by simply being grateful for what you have. As you keep implementing these small changes into your life, you’ll wake up one day only to realize that you have everything you need within you for maintaining your healthy mind, body and spirit. Now, that is a truth well worth acknowledging.
| September Featured Stories |
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Coffee Break with the Barista
Creating Mind, Body & Spirit Health — One Peace at a Time, by Milan Galan, Ph.D.
Waking Up to the Truth About Sleep, by Jessica Wilson
The Power of Sound, by Marian Rein
Health Myths & Facts, by Pamela Kramer Childress
Mind, Body & Spirit Health at Midlife and Menopause by Diane G. Sanford, Ph.D.
Age – It’s Simply A Number, by Milan Galan, Ph.D.
Physical and Mental Well-Being Combining Body, Mind & Spirit, by Jill Barrett
Getting Better With Age: A Healthy Perspective, by Phylis Clay Sparks
A Piece of Kitchen Nostalgia Returns — Retro Appliance Comes to the Aid of Busy Families, by Mary K. Morgan
The Healthy Side of Your Morning Brew, by Marian Rein
Todd Lewis If you make a list, it will come by Pamela Kramer Childress
Toby’s Tale — More About Toby by Jessica Wilson
Live Large Spend Small by Mary K. Morgan - September 2008
Java Journal Movie Morsels by Mary Morgan - September 2008
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