INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION

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What do we mean by 'mind and body unity?' - Is your 'mind' separate from your 'body?'

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Does a belief in 'mind - body unity’ or the opposite view - 'mind - body duality’ shape our choices - and can it influence our health?

THE WESTERN TRADITION - WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

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In Western tradition/philosophy, the ‘mind – body relationship’ is described as ‘dualistic’ in its nature – meaning – the ‘mind’ and ‘body’ are viewed as existing as ‘separate entities.’ 

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The ‘mind’ - represents the ‘non-physical’ - ‘thinking’ aspects of a human being - and the ‘body’ / ’brain’ - represents the ‘physical’ - ‘non-thinking’ aspects. 

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Descartes argued that as the ‘mind’ and ‘body’ are separate in their nature – it is possible for one to exist without the other.

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In essence – the ‘mind – body duality’ viewpoint raises questions about the relationship between ‘mind’ / ’thought’ / ’consciousness’ (which represents a non-physical substance) and ‘matter’ (physicality.)

MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

A basic presumption of modern psychology, is that the ‘mind is in the body.’  This viewpoint is especially prevalent amongst those psychologists who study the brain.

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Although it sounds ‘sensible’ if one examines this understanding carefully a distinction is being made between ‘mind’ and ‘ body.’

MIND AND BODY UNITY (MABU) – (THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING)

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EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

In Western philosophy the 'human body' and 'human life' is looked at from a point of view of ‘separateness’ (things existing in parts – as 'separate entities') – whereas, Eastern philosophy approaches ‘human life’ and ‘Existence’ from the perspective of ‘unity’ and ‘connectedness.’ 

In the Eastern philosophy, especially ‘Daoism,’ it is thought that everything originates from ‘one source’ - and thus, all things in ‘Existence’ are ‘variations’ / ‘aspects’ of this ‘original source’ - when considering health and wellbeing - emphasis is placed on the ‘root cause’ of an illness or sickness.

Thus, adopting an Eastern approach to health, would mean a more ‘holistic’ approach - when considering the 'human body' – all aspects of the 'human body'/'being' – 'mind' - 'body' – 'spirit' / 'soul' would considered.

Alternative medicines/therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, homeopathy, massage therapy, naturopathy etc… may be sought, when adopting an Eastern approach. 

Eastern philosophy considers how the individual aspects of a ‘human being’ / ‘body’ may exist cohesively, in a state of balance and harmony with one another.

MODERN PHYSICS – QUANTUM MECHANICS

The ‘mind-body unity’ system believes in the fundamental ‘unity’ of the ‘biological organism,’ we refer to as 'human beings.'  We believe that the 'mind' / 'body' distinction is unnecessary, unhelpful and actually provides an obstacle to an understanding of how the ‘human being’ actually functions and operates within a 'universe.'

Modern physics openly speaks of a ‘multiverse’ – multiple universes – therefore the concept of multiple dimensions is not a radical conception.

To regard the 'biological human entity' – we call human – as ‘Trans-Dimensional’ beings therefore is not ‘radical’ nor ‘farfetched’ – but actually in keeping with the latest contemporary understanding about the nature of the universe – one only has to consider the scientific discipline known as quantum physics/mechanics to see support for this argument.

The findings of such researchers in this field clearly impact the way we should see the ‘human biological organism’ – 'human being' - and consequently this will have an impact on our conceptions of health and wellbeing.

MIND AND BODY UNITY (MABU) – (PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING)

If one accepts the ‘theoretical’ understanding outlined briefly above – one can then move on to consider the practical consequences of such an understanding - namely,

1. the ‘biological organism’ known as 'human being' - is a ‘Trans-Dimensional’ entity.

2. there is no mind/body duality - and the 'human biological entity' should be considered as a unity.

CONCLUSION

MABU takes this unity of ‘mind’ and ‘body’ as being fundamental to good health’ and wellness.  Further, in accepting this 'unity' of 'mind' and 'body' there is an emphasis on individual ‘self help’ – ‘Self Empowerment’ – ‘Self Healing.’