The Body Reflects the Mind

“Just as water reflects the stars and the moon, the body reflects the mind and soul.”?

~Rumi

There is so much information available on mindfulness and “being present”.?

Much of this information assumes that there is already some basic knowledge about what mindfulness and being present actually means. This can seem confusing and even overwhelming to someone who is seeking information on mindfulness, who does not have a basic understanding of it.?

Before I discuss what mindfulness and presence mean, one first needs to understand how the mind and body operate in tandem.?The human body (and in all life forms) is designed to survive, by following the direction of the brain automatically.?While there are some brain-body functions that are completely voluntary and others that are automatic regardless of one’s thoughts, there is a tremendous correlation between what one thinks and how the body responds.?

The fight or flight and feed and breed responses are automatic.?When we are unsettled in our thinking, the fight or flight hormones are activated. Conversely, when we are thinking happy thoughts, the feed and breed hormones kick in. When we are thinking happy thoughts, parasympathetic hormones of the body respond by slowing the heart rate and giving an overall feeling of contentment.?When we are thinking stressful thoughts or worrying about future scenarios of doom and gloom, the sympathetic stress hormones are automatically released and we feel panic with a rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and more.?

This system is biologically designed for our survival. During moments of attack by predators, we do not have time to “think” about saving ourselves. We either run away immediately or fight.?When we are not being threatened, we are in a calm state with normal body functions occurring without interruption by the need to escape danger.?

This goes horribly wrong when stressful thoughts about the future and “what if” scenarios flood the mind. We then become entrenched in a continuous fight or flight state, with stimulant like hormones released that lead to numerous health problems (increased blood sugar, high blood pressure, digestive problems, poor sleep, and much more). ?

We are not designed to be in a chronic state of panic and stress.?

By understanding how the human brain (mind) and body are connected with automatic physical responses to what we are thinking moment by moment, it becomes even more important to understand the connection of thought and physical responses.?

The brain is very busy 24 hours a day without an “off” switch. Data enters the brain by our 5 senses constantly. It is always seeking to make associations and to control the body for its self-preservation. While this is a blessing in times of extreme stress where an instantaneous reaction is needed to save our life, it is an extremely dysfunctional system when thoughts of danger are imagined and actual danger is not imminently present.?

Being mindful is stepping back as the spiritual entity we are, to observe what is actually going on in the body and our surroundings, moment by moment. This is also the power of being PRESENT. This means we are witnessing what is going on within us, as a response to external stimuli, in real time… moment by moment. ?

Feelings are an excellent barometer of current thoughts. Whether or not we are aware of our thoughts, when we feel unsettled and anxious, our thoughts are stuck in future thinking and imagined danger or are ruminating on past pain. When we are feeling calm and happy,?our thoughts are calm and happy ones. What we think, we feel. Feelings are merely automatic reactions to current thought. They have no more meaning than that. The thoughts may not have any meaning of significance. Feelings can always tell you about the current state of your thoughts.??

Being mindful and remaining in the present moment means:?

Not thinking ahead…

Not planning our next steps in life in minute detail…

Not mourning over the past, over which we have no control…

Not wishing we could go back and fix the past…

Not wishing to be anywhere other than where we are in this moment…

Not adding meaning to someone’s behavior or the circumstances surrounding us in this moment, for anything other than what IS at this moment….

Know this in your bones:?

There is tremendous power in living in the NOW. ?

When we are observing our life in an unemotional way, we are free to choose how to respond. We can engage or retreat, we can respond or not respond, we can choose to not engage at all in this moment with any conflict that faces us and revisit it later if the issue needs some action… or not.?

When we are living in a state of reactionary response to every stimulus, many of which can be perceived incorrectly as being physically threatening imminently (while actually most are threatening to the ego only), life is chaotic and unsettled mentally and physically taxing, leading to illness and premature aging or death.?

To choose right action over impulsive reaction is the goal of mindfulness.?

While we cannot control in any way,?the many thousands of thoughts in the brain that come to our awareness due to some trigger of recall, we do have complete control over the amount of attention we give to any given thought.?

In the space between thoughts, lies the power of choice. Pause a second or two before responding to any unsettling thoughts or perceived insults from another.?

Look around you. Quickly assess any real time danger (not possible imagined future danger). If you are in no danger in THIS moment, let the thought go without any further consideration. When you do, a new thought about something entirely random, will pop up to take its place.?

This is how you can keep coming back to THIS moment. Any future moments, will take care of themselves, when or if they become the present moment reality.?

While we do need to make some plans about our day to day life with “rough draft” future planning and goal setting,?being unwilling to adjust these plans as the present unfolds, creates a great deal of self-sabotage and suffering.?

Mindfulness allows you to be the observer of your life… the wizard behind the curtain… the captain of the ship. You can easily assess the present moment for what it is (and isn’t) when you are mindful of THIS moment. ?

After all, there is no life outside of the present moment. No one knows what the future holds and we cannot go back in time and change anything. The future is only?wishful thinking… the past a memory.?

There is so much to learn in THIS moment. Watch and listen to what it has to teach you. You will be better prepared when threatening or difficult challenges appear in your life, as you remain present in the moment you are in. Therein lies your power. The power of now.?

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Here is how I can support YOU, as you transform into the best version of yourself…

• Subscribe to digital magazine :?Magnificent Metamorphosis Magazine?contains quarterly issues with inspiring articles that support your transformation, available on your phone, tablet, or desktop browser. Each issue contains insights and impactful mindfulness-based content by a variety of global thought leaders and topics.??
• Get Chapter One of My Book : To learn more about discovering answers from within, get Chapter One of my mindfulness-based book of meditations, Reflections on Transcendence - Everything You Have Been Searching For Is Already Inside of You.?(Also available for purchase on Amazon and other online retailers globally).
• ?Transformational Coaching/Mentoring ? : If you are ready to begin transforming into the best version of yourself, we need to speak.?Message me on LinkedIn or from my website to schedule a call.