Thursday, January 21, 2010

Wen Tzu - Verse 128

from Verse One Hundred Twenty-Eight
When the spirit is clear and the mind is even, the whole body is at peace; this is the root of nurturing life.
~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
To some, this might seem like an overly simple sentiment. While they might agree that the mind plays a key role in an individual's overall health, they may well point out that germs and viruses can infect a person with the soundest mind possible.

Years ago I would have copped this same position, but now I can honestly say, I don't know. Why do some people get sick when others don't? Why do some people recover from a life-threatening illness when others die? Could it be that those in balance are more able to fend off external entities? Can there truly be mind over matter?

What do you think?

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.

4 comments:

  1. The mind has a very powerful influence over the body and its health (I've written a book on the subject)...yet, and I agree, it is a mystery why some heal and others do not. There are many perspectives. There is more to life and death than we know..and it is my personal belief that when someone tells you they have the answer...run!!!

    There is also a difference between healing and being cured...healing is transformative on deep levels. Curing is getting rid of the disease. Healing does not imply you are cured and vice versa.

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  2. Well... honestly, one in tune with the tao is one living in the stream of life. disease and sickness are also agents of the tao. The thought that one who is at balance with himself and his surroundings would be less afflicted by these diseases makes sense. They are there but have no lasting effect. I'm not sure about mind over matter, but I have seen people "realigned" or "rebalanced" by disease.
    The scientific reason is STRESS impairs your immune system. Isn't Stress simply another way of saying your life is out of balance? I'm not trying to suggest one who is at peace is immune to disease... but perhaps they are just setting themselves up mentally for success physically.

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  3. This is about meditation and qi.

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  4. When nothing is out of balance, nothing is out of balance.
    A virus, on entering a state of balance, becomes benign, or is vigourously shown the door.

    Get with the program, shorty.

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