Medical school taught students that everything in the body happens as a result of random chemical processes, that the mind and body are distinct from one another and that genes have a significant role in determining our health and lifespan.
Even if it was achieved by ancient wisdom traditions thousands of years ago, scientific investigation today is coming to a fundamentally different understanding: In a network of energy and intelligence that is constantly and dynamically exchanging information with the environment around us, the body and mind are closely linked. Our bodies are constantly undergoing change with each breath we take, mouthful of food we swallow, sound we hear, and sensation we experience.
Also, we are the only animals on the earth that have the power to alter biology through our emotions and thoughts. Our cells are constantly eavesdropping on our thoughts and being changed by them. If we experience a happy thought or a feeling of love, our body is directly influenced as messenger molecules course through the bloodstream, delivering the positive energizing effect to trillions of cells. Dark thoughts and feelings of depression suppress our immune system, leaving us vulnerable to illness.
Large-scale disturbances in the body can result from even the slightest changes in energy, such simply a few words. Our thoughts and feelings might rapidly cause a stress response in our body if we learn that our spouse is getting a divorce or that our entire bank account has been emptied. The physiological changes, also referred to as a “fight-or-flight reaction,” include rapid breathing and oxygen intake, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, and decreased immunological function. Long-term stress can make us ill and hasten the aging process. The stress response over time can result in autoimmune illnesses, cancer, sleeplessness, depression, and stomach ulcers.
The restful reaction, which includes restful sleep and the quiet consciousness experienced during meditation, is the opposite of the fight-or-flight response. While we are in a relaxed awareness state, our bodies are completely asleep yet our minds are awake but quiet. According to studies, those who routinely have moments of peaceful awareness are less likely to experience high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, or sadness. They find it simpler to overcome harmful addictions like alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Regular meditation practitioners also benefit from a variety of health advantages, including a decline in numerous aging biomarkers.
