The Battle for Control Over the Validity of the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Nurturing the power trio of the Mind, Body and Spirit has been the pillar of traditional Eastern medical culture for a millennium. Physicians clearly understood the importance of the holistic approach and how vital the balance was between the mind, body and spirit for health and well-being.
Western medicine, in contrast, adopted the idea of a split between the mind and body, a sort of dualism which ignores the influence of the mind, emotions and spirit on health.
The New Age enlightenment of the 70’s and 80’s heralded a movement centered on spirituality, personal transformation and healing through love and light. Personal choice and responsibility are core tenets. Holistic medicine seemed to be gaining a tiny foothold.
A Crossroad Emerges
Sadly, the essential understanding of the inter-relationship between mind, body and spirit continues to be a serious blind spot in Western or conventional medicine. One point, however, now conceded by conventional doctors is the fact that chronic stress is a major risk factor for heart disease, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure and headaches.
Psychological stress, manifested as anxiety, depression or physical symptoms then becomes an intersecting concept which brings conventional medicine up close and personal with the principles of holistic health.
It is increasingly clearer now that the well-being of the mind and spirit is uncovered at the cellular level as physical health or sickness. As an example, emotional trauma, whether early onset in childhood or in the form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often rears its ugly head in the form of a dysregulated nervous system. Those affected are easily startled or frightened, are always on guard for danger, and have trouble sleeping and concentrating. They are often irritable and prone to angry outbursts.
Scientific evidence is mounting to show that just like environmental toxins, smoking, and ultra-processed food can affect the way our genes are expressed impacting our health, so too can our thoughts, emotions and stress.
Reverse the order and we see how a serious injury, or illness can stir up fear or lead to depression. Chronic pain in our bodies can also trigger mood fluctuations, anxiety, altered perceptions, and the loss of the sense of joy and peace.
Spiritual Formation is the Bedrock
Spiritual formation is the bedrock to achieving Mind-Body-Spirit balance and health.
We all have within us a divine spark of God. We are spiritual beings with an inner guidance system helping us tap into the highest form and deepest part of ourselves. Through this inner guidance system, we learn to discern a guiding voice. Believers in God call it the Holy Spirit, others may call it intuition. This voice helps us navigate our path with greater courage, clarity, purpose and joy. We can be confidant in knowing it because it is always accompanied by a deep sense of calm, detachment and wholeness.
The root word of holistic (holism) comes from the Greek word, “holos”, which means, “whole”. The term was adopted into the field of medicine as a means of describing the treatment of the “whole person” rather than treating individual symptoms. Essentially, “the whole” is greater than the sum of the parts. Holism shares a root with the English word, “holy” meaning divine.
The Spiritual Path to a Meaningful Life
Spirituality encompasses our morality, values, and our sense of fulfillment. In fostering a loving relationship with a higher being, the cosmos and each other it creates that essential sense of oneness that we all deep down are searching for. It is the stream from which our purpose and meaning in life flow. This purpose is the essence of who we are and is the manifestation of our profound innermost self. It is our source of direction and energy.
When we are set on the path to wholeness, we regain the vital balance necessary for a sense of peace, purpose and joy. Becoming truly aware and focused on optimal Mind-Body-Spirit connection is then a powerful tool in restoring and maintaining health and well-being.
A Step Toward Integrating Holistic Health into Conventional Medicine.
Is the tide changing for traditional medicine? I believe it is. Changing the minds and practices of our conventional medicine partners will take time, trust, and openness. Perhaps even a personal transformation or witnessing the healing of a loved one will shift the perspective of some still clinging to the traditional Western view. As the scientific research continues to pour in validating the deep inter-connectiveness of our mind, body and spirit, the intellectual demands needed to understand and accept alternative forms of treatment will be satisfied.