Message: #3 2023-11-06 
The Difference Between the Mind, Brain and Body?
In order to understand the difference between the mind and the self,
we must first learn to distinguish between the body and the mind.
Inner Child Journal image
The body is an intricate organism that is composed of several parts
that allow the mechanism we know as the “brain” to function. Take
away the heart, liver, or kidneys and the brain won’t work for very
long. To think of our brains as separate from the rest of our bodies
is a mistake.
We are all born as empty slates with new brains every time we enter
this world, but not with a new mind. Let me explain this further: our
minds are composed of information and different forms of conditioning
that we have been taught throughout our lives. This content manifests
itself through the brain and remains within a layer of consciousness
after we die that Carl Jung referred to as the “collective
unconscious.” This is precisely why so many people can remember
“their” past lives.
Using modern technology we can create a simple analogy: Our brains are
the computers or smartphones, and our minds are the operating system
within that device. If the device breaks, all the data can still be
transferred to a new device.
In this way, the mind is the ultimate software because it can only
know what you teach it. You can teach it mathematics, physics and
history and it will be able to recollect all of this information,
creating more – but this is all that it can do. This is why if you
pursue truth, living through the body and mind are incomplete without
the Spirit.
How the Spirit, Self, and Soul Are Connected
There’s a divine driving force guiding us all known as Spirit.
Spirit uses the mind to create an identity (the “Self”) in order
to aid our survival.
This “Self” (or ego) you possess, is composed of all the memories
you have that you identify as belonging to “you,” e.g. your name,
your nationality, your political/religious beliefs, your life
ambitions, what you’ve grown to like and dislike, and all the
personality characteristics that are the result of your environmental
experiences or genetics.
Most people go through life believing that they are this story,
believing that they are the thoughts they are thinking, instead of the
essence that is experiencing those thoughts.
Shadow & Light Membership image
Do you see the difference? If our conscious experience of life was a
cinema, most of us would be so absorbed in the movie that we would
forget who was actually the person sitting in the chair watching that
movie. It’s this subtle shift in awareness from being the movie to
watching the movie that we can refer to as the Soul.
If I insult the beliefs of a person who believes themselves to be this
mental “Self” they become angry, insecure or upset. If I insult
the beliefs of a person who lives from a more Soulful place, they will
acknowledge my statement with much less emotional reaction to it. Why?
Because they have cultivated a degree of inner freedom by learning not
to identify with the mind, personality and self.
A person who identifies with, and believes themselves to be their
passing thoughts and emotions, will suffer in life much more than a
person who has found the centered of their being, their Soul.
Mind is the Beginning, Soul is the End
Mind, Body, Spirit and Soul image
While the mind comes at the very beginning of our existence, the Soul
can be said to be the very end of our existence. The mind and Soul
complete a full circle; the mind is a beginning with no ending, and
the Soul is an ending with no beginning.
Spirit was there since the dawn of time and will be there once we
leave. The mind, on the other hand, was the beginning of our
“individual selves,” however the end to this illusory division
only comes when we learn to expand our conscious awareness and live
from the Soul.
In the English language, the brain and mind have almost become
synonymous, and this is why it can sometimes be so difficult to
understand these concepts. That is why I like to turn to the languages
of ancient cultures who dedicated themselves to the quest for Truth.
For example, Sanskrit has the word “chetana” (consciousness) and
they also have “manas” (mind). In their understanding, “manas”
was limited to the physical senses and could only yield “vijnana”
(information), but it could not provide “jnana” (wisdom) or
“vidya” (understanding). Sanskrit also distinguishes the
unconscious mind from all these other elements, calling it
“chitta.”
Shadow & Light Membership image
As we can see, we are multi-layered beings.
How can we be everything and nothing at the same time? Are Souls
individual and separate from each other?
Imagine our life energy, Spirit, as a massive ocean. Now imagine each
wave in the ocean as a Soul. If the wave uses its “mind” to think
about itself, it will look and compare itself to the other waves and
“think” it is separate from them. It is only the fully present
wave that is truly “experiencing” itself, that is truly aware. A
single swell of water is just as much a wave as it is the entire
ocean.
Mind, Body, Spirit, and Soul
Taking care of our bodies helps us to maintain a healthy and
clear-minded awareness. Becoming more aware of our Soul helps us to
cultivate greater awareness in our lives that allows us to be
liberated from all the mental layers that form obstacles on the way
back to the ocean of Spirit. |
Message: #2 2023-11-06
INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
15 Simple Tips To Balance Your Mind, Body & Soul
Jesse Chappus, D.C.
Chiropractor
By Jesse Chappus, D.C.
Chiropractor
Jesse Chappus, D.C., is a chiropractor. He holds a Master's Degree
from The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Ontario
and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Kinetics from the University of
Windsor.
January 23, 2021
Here is a list of 15 super-simple things that can help balance your
mind, body, and spirit. Slowly start incorporating them into your
daily routine and see how they positively affect your overall health:
1.
Exercise.
Find an exercise you enjoy, and start doing it regularly. Research
shows that exercise boosts mood by pumping oxygen into the brain and
releasing feel-good endorphins.
2.
Be grateful.
Stop to think about the things you have going for you and appreciate
them. You can either make a mental list of the things you're grateful
for first thing in the morning or right before bed, or write them down
in a gratitude journal. The health benefits of gratitude are
extensive: The simple act can help relieve stress, strengthen social
relationships, and more.
3.
Get plenty of sleep.
Sleep is regenerative for your body. The more sleep you get, the
better you will perform the next day. If you have trouble getting the
restorative rest your body needs, check out this list of holistic ways
to get a better night's sleep.
4.
Breathe deeply.
Get in the habit of taking deep breaths throughout the day and
consider establishing a steady breathwork practice using these
beginner breath techniques. Breathwork has been associated with many
benefits, such as stress relief, lower blood pressure, and sharper
focus.
5.
Install water filters in your home.
Depending on where you live, your tap water might contain harmful
chemicals such as PFAS. Enter your ZIP code into EWG's Tap Water
Database to see what's in your community's supply, and consider
investing in the right filter for your water.
6.
Ground yourself.
Literally. Plant your bare feet on the earth as often as possible to
tap into some of the healing benefits of nature.
7.
Eat organic.
Check out the most recent Dirty Dozen List to see which fruits and
veggies are the most important to buy organic for the sake of your
health.
8.
Do more yoga.
Talk about an exercise that's as good for the mind as it is for the
body. If you don't already have an established practice, here are some
yoga tips for beginners.
9.
Smile more.
It feels great, and some research even shows that "faking" a smile can
make us feel happier in the moment11.
10.
Spend more time with loved ones.
In our busy lives, we need to make time for the people who matter most
to us. Make a point every day to check in with at least one friend or
family member just to see how they are doing.
11.
Live your passion.
Do more of what you love, and less of what you don't. Starting a
visualization practice can help you get clear on what your passions
could look like in practice.
12.
Meditate.
Set some time aside each day to rest your mind. You don't have to do
it for long—the most important thing is to just keep up with your
meditation practice so it becomes a habit.
13.
Consider filtering your shower.
Remember that point about tap water? The same goes for your shower!
Consider investing in a filter, especially if you're prone to dry or
sensitive skin.
14.
Get outdoors more.
Go for a hike and enjoy nature. Getting out in green space, in
particular, can help lower your risk of developing certain
neurological conditions.
15.
Eat plenty of greens.
Dark, leafy greens are rich in vitamins and minerals. Start every
morning with a healthy green smoothie, and feel your body thank you
for it. |