Frequently Asked Questions on Mind Body and Spirit and their Relation to Health
What is the purpose of life? No one answer applies to all. To generalize is to “dogmatize.” Our world is suffering because individuals groups, and organizations find a certain belief system and then think theirs “is the only way.”--- However, according to the enlightened masters of all paths throughout the centuries attest that there is a hidden enlightenment that is just behind the body and mind. They discovered this through a wide variety of spiritual practices and healthy living that showed them that such a state is possible from within. This enlightenment, filled with peace, bliss, joy and wisdom can be sustained in an unending experience while living. When one can rest in this most of the time or even all the time, one can truly say that they are “healthy in body and mind.” Once we rest in this state, we experience a freedom from within that is unaffected by what is happening in the world. We can then share our gifts, talents and abilities in the world by actualizing our uniqueness and signature in the world.
What is the root of our suffering? The global challenge of life on this planet over millennia is rooted in the mind. Our mind can be our enemy or our friend. Suffering starts in the mind. The basic issue is that our mind thinks that in order to be happy we have to focus on attaining and achieving in the external world. Rather, we have to rediscover inner happiness regardless of what is happening in life. So we go through life thinking that in order to be happy we have to have done “something” rather than just be who we are and proceed from that point forward. This mental suffering gradually creates disease within our bodies in many forms as well. Enlightened masters who rediscovered their inner peace and merged it with their minds have surpassed this primordial, rooted difficulty. Thus, they experienced tranquility and serenity within themselves and were able to live in a world of duality in health and harmony. When we look deeply at the purpose of religion and healing in the world, it comes down to rediscovering such a state from within.
What are we overlooking in health in healing as people seem to continue suffering with chronic mental and physical ailments? We are overlooking our own responsibility in dealing with our health and healing and the resistances that prevent us from taking charge of our own emotions and physical health. No matter what our suffering is, somewhere in this life (or if one believes in other lives) we have created the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Many cannot agree when they are in pain and when they are in the middle of countless problems and issues, but this is where we all must broaden our consciousness to at least think about cause and effect. Whatever we are in we somewhere have attracted these sets of lessons and issues towards ourselves. This is not taught much in our day to day. This is not to say we should blame or criticize ourselves, but rather to understand that no one on the outside is causing our problems. We have attracted many elements of positive and negative and over time we can modify and change our circumstances however slow or fast it may seem.
What are the elements that will provide change and transformation in health and healing? How we live and think is what is needed to transform us. This is a life long process. For the body we have to reflect on what we consume and realize that our food and diet is medicine or poison that will affect our health over the lifetime. Even though there is so much emphasis on natural foods, our society is becoming seemingly unhealthier with diabetes, obesity, heart disease and many chronic conditions. Why? The principles of healthy living and diet have not taken root as millions consume unhealthy products and eat in unbalanced ways that tax the body’s natural abilities to remain healthy. Many depend on health care providers for a “quick fix” through medications. However this is only part of the answer. We are used to a medical model that suppresses symptoms quickly and does not give time to get to deeper emotional issues that are fueling our outer behaviors.
For the mind there are numerous methods and practices that will allow a greater expansion of our thinking and greater peace and serenity over time. This can come from psychotherapy, applying and developing our own belief systems, and clearing and healing from the past of difficult personal issues. Selfless service in giving back to community as well as developing our own creativity and talents allow expanded energy to take root in our day to day. More formal practices of meditation will focus our mind and return us to a state of greater peace and health. Regular exercise not only helps with our bodies but refreshes our mind as well.
Our medical model needs to help provide an avenue to help clear the resistances that block us from optimal health as well all face the tendency to take the path of least resistance.
 © 2007 - 2009 Rama Pemmaraju Rao, M.D.
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