We Are Not The Body

by

Austin Perris

Who's in charge? You, or your body. Some may immediately respond with “ME, of course.” Yes, you should be in charge, but are you? Think about it. Are you in charge when you crave a sweet treat and know you shouldn't but do it anyway? Are you in charge when you plan to exercise every day and don't? Are you in charge when you want to improve and don't put forth the effort to make the needed changes?

Always responding to the body's do's and don’ts is not always good. We can become slaves to the call of the senses, allowing the body to become the master, as many of us have.

The Body's Influence:

From a biological point of view, we must know that the body significantly influences the mind. Without the brain, where would our mind be? The sensory system processes data through the brain that determines our perceptions, thoughts, and behavior. The mind and body should work in concert with one another, but we must not allow them to get out of balance and give in to excess behaviors.

I have a weakness for cinnamon rolls. While walking through the mall, I may smell the enticing aroma of warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls smothered in sugary icing. Yum. Do I, or don't I? That is the question. It is an easy decision to make. I simply ignore the urge and continue with my day. However, denying the call of the pleasure that comes from eating a flavorful nonfood is not logical, is it?! So, I give in to the experience. Am I in charge?

Or is the body pointing me in the direction I should go? Simple pleasures are inviting but can be overdone to the point of excess.

The Mind's Influence

On the other hand, we have a conscious mind and are more than able to exert willpower. When used wisely by the true master of the body, the mind interprets the information that comes from the sensory system and decides how to use it. It determines whether or not to give in to temptations and, through willpower, makes the appropriate decisions.

Our overall health is determined by our ability to make the right decisions for our mind, body, and spirit. The strength of our willpower will determine how healthy we will be. We must ignore self-gratifying experiences and move forward with strong willpower. If the willpower is weak, we are weak.

Strengthening Willpower

Life on the physical has so many distractions and temptations to derail the mind's logical thinking that it is sometimes difficult to stay on track. In a world filled with self-gratifying possibilities, we must strengthen our will to avoid falling victim to them. How do we do that? By practicing willpower exercises.

I read once that the Japanese do just that. They begin by choosing a small challenge, like the cinnamon roll temptation, and use it to begin. The temptation arises, and one chooses not to partake. It is a small success but a giant step forward. Then, they choose a more significant challenge, and so on, until their will is strengthened and they reach a stronger sense of self-discipline.

Another way is meditation. Meditation requires us to focus on the breath, ignore distractions, and slow down our thoughts and heartbeat by using the mind to control the body. This is an exercise of the will. The more we practice meditation, the stronger our will becomes and the more control we have over the body.

Fasting also builds willpower. It is difficult for us not to eat. In addition, fasting has been shown to support cognitive function and may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. It can enhance mental clarity and focus, benefiting productivity and overall well-being, including weight loss. Yet, we rarely practice it.

These practices give us the self-discipline to succeed in dieting or exercising, where willpower is needed to control physical cravings and fatigue. This is how we achieve mind-body balance and become successful in being healthy human beings on every level: mind, body, and spirit.

A Holistic View

Neuroscience has uncovered the fact that our thoughts shape our brains. They call this neuroplasticity the ability to reorganize and form new connections in response to new learning and experiences. This suggests the intimate connection between the mind and body, demonstrating true integration.

The field of neuroscience has uncovered that while the brain (part of the body) is necessary for thought and consciousness, it is constantly shaped by our mental states. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections in response to learning and experience, suggests a two-way interaction.

This holistic approach emphasizes that the body and mind are intertwined, influencing and shaping one another. The goal is not for one to dominate the other but for both to work together to accomplish the highest quality of life.

Ever since we arrived in the physical world, we have learned how to work with the body. The powers that be, wrongly, have taught us that we are a body with a spirit, which leads us to perceive the world from that point of view. So, we favor the physical and will return to it upon the death of the body.

However, in reality, we are spirits with a body, which allows us an entirely different perspective. One that favors the spirit while in the physical world until it is time to return to the spiritual plane with God.

Conclusion

In the debate over whether the mind or body is in charge, it may be more accurate to view them as two miraculous functions designed to work together continuously to manage and improve the quality of life, creating the extraordinary experience of being human under the direction of the spirit.

Ancient traditions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, all practice yoga to align the mind, body, and spirit to achieve perfect balance and enlightenment to experience nirvana, which releases us from samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.

This is accomplished through daily spiritual practices. We must remember we are not the body. We were spirits before we came here and will be spirits when we leave.

For the video "You Are The Slave of Your Body." click here

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