One of the most ground-breaking and most ruinous events in the history of medicine was the separation between the body and the mind. Before Descartes suggested that the body and the mind were separate entities, people believed that dissecting the body for examination was equivalent to fragmenting the spirit itself. Even the mere thought of dismembering a human cadaver was considered sacrilege.
Descartes evolved with the notion that the body and mind were separate entities, correlated and bound but distinct nonetheless. With this assumption, doctors allowed themselves to accumulate significant knowledge on the various functions and miracles of the body by cutting, dissecting, analyzing, categorizing and manipulating the various organs and parts. Had it not been for this revolutionary idea, modern medicine would never have come to be.
Unfortunately, we have forgotten to put all the pieces back together and research often continues to distinguish the various parts of the body as separate entities. The body, the brain, the heart, and every cell and organ within us compose the full human organism of inseparable living units and energy flows. Furthermore, the synchronization and harmonization of each of these entities is unique within each person, rendering everyone visibly and spiritually different from the other. The mechanisms behind this distinctive configuration are still mysterious to scientists and researchers alike.
Even in ancient times man believed disease was provoked by evil spirits in the weak moments when one fell prey to negative influences. Because malady was thought to originate from within, rather than from external influences, and thus caused by imbalances in the life of the individual, practices like exorcisms or ritual healings were performed. Examples of these include the Babylonians in 2500BC who encouraged introspection to uncover the endogenous causes of the ailment. Ancient Jews believed sickness was a punishment for having disobeyed divine laws. In India, Ayurvedic medicine, one of the most ancient forms of medicine, considers health to be representative of the balance between the body, mind, spirit and the environment. Even Socrates from the Ancient Greek claimed one could not treat the eyes without examining the head, nor treat the head without including the body so one could not cure the body without addressing the spirit.
In 1968, Dr. Silverman published a study that examined the interrelation between the body and mind in various cases including allergies, back pains, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, and other illnesses instigating the study in psychosomatic diseases. In 1976, Dr. Thomas published the results of a 30-year longitudinal study in which students of medicine who had taken a personality test at the beginning of the study were found to have specific illnesses, such as cancer, heart problems or hypertension, according to their psychological profile. There are many other studies that confirm the mechanism of psychosomatic disorders but without going into such detail one can easily accept the notion that the body and the mind function as a whole, whereby the body’s immune system is highly influenced by the state of mind.
It is therefore important, in order to maintain a healthy and vital life, to consider not only who we are as individuals but how we function mentally and physically. Though we may be genetically predisposed to certain ailments, it is the standard of living that activates the symptoms. We are there individually responsible to become cognizant of healthy lifestyles and mental states and improve our habits in order to increase inner balance. Achieving a disease-free existence is possible.
“One is more likely to learn about the course of tuberculosis by looking into the patients head than in his chest.”
~Sir William Osler
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