How Your Thoughts Impact Your Body

Why is it that so many people struggle to believe their thoughts can actually affect physical matter? Maybe you've questioned this yourself. But here's the thing—you’re not someone who settles for surface explanations. You're here, reading this newsletter, because you sense there's a deeper connection between your mind and the physical world. Stick around, and you'll discover that the idea of your thoughts influencing physical reality isn't just a philosophical notion—it's a tangible truth backed by compelling evidence.

In our last discussion, we delved into the depths of the subconscious mind, revealing how aligning with this hidden powerhouse can propel you toward your goals with unprecedented ease. We explored practical techniques to tap into this silent partner, transforming it into your most potent ally.

But today, we're taking it a step further by exploring how your mind doesn't just influence your own body—it can extend outward to affect your entire environment.

Imagine understanding your body not just as a biological machine but as a responsive instrument finely tuned to your mental states. What if you could harness this knowledge to improve your health, enhance your well-being, and even influence the world around you?

So stay tuned, because as we dive into Part 14 of our modernization of Thomas Troward's Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science, we'll delve into the fascinating relationship between mind and matter... bridging the gap between the invisible and the visible, the inner and the outer.

Some people find it hard to believe that our thoughts can actually affect physical matter. But if that's not possible, then Mental Science wouldn't exist—since its main goal is to improve our bodies and our environment through the power of the mind. Basically, we're aiming to make real, visible changes in the world. So one of the most important things we need to understand is the connection between what's visible and what's invisible, between our inner selves and the outer world.

Real-World Examples of Mind Affecting Matter

Sure, metaphysical arguments suggest that such a connection must exist—after all, how else did anything come into existence? The whole universe, including us, is proof of this big truth. But let's be honest, abstract reasoning doesn't always convince everyone. It's a lot more compelling when we can back it up with something concrete. So, let me share a few examples of how the physical and the mental are connected. While this topic is huge and we can't cover everything here, these points should be enough to show that these abstract ideas have real-world facts behind them.

Troward shares the example of the "biometre," invented by the late Dr. Hippolyte Baraduc, a renowned French scientist. This device was said to demonstrate what he called the "vital current," a universal force flowing through every living organism that we could control with our willpower. While this was groundbreaking at the time, and may be worth a trip down the rabbit hole in your own time, let's look at some more recent examples that illustrate the connection between mind and matter.

One of the most convincing modern proofs comes from the field of neuroplasticity, which studies how our brains change in response to our thoughts and experiences. For example, researchers have found that practicing mindfulness meditation can physically alter the brain's structure. Studies using MRI scans have shown that regular meditation increases the thickness of the prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain associated with attention, decision-making, and emotional regulation. This means that our mental activities are not just fleeting thoughts; they can lead to tangible, physical changes in our brain's anatomy.

Similarly, consider the placebo effect, a well-documented phenomenon where patients experience real improvements in their health after receiving treatments with no therapeutic value—simply because they believe they are receiving real medicine. This effect highlights how our beliefs and expectations can trigger physiological responses in the body, demonstrating a clear link between mind and matter.

Another compelling area is psychoneuroimmunology, the study of how our mental states affect our immune system. Research has shown that stress and negative emotions can weaken our immune response, making us more susceptible to illness. On the flip side, positive emotions and thoughts can boost our immune function. This suggests that our mental attitudes directly influence our physical health.

Now, I'm not going to dive into all the scientific details—that's a whole other rabbit hole. What's important is that these examples show there's a direct link between our mental state and the physical world. Whether it's changes in brain structure due to meditation, physiological responses triggered by belief, or the impact of emotions on our immune system, the bottom line is the same: our minds have the power to influence our bodies and the world around us.

The Physiology Behind Mind-Body Interaction

Our physical body is like a machine designed to turn our inner mental power into outward actions. Medical science tells us that our entire body is crisscrossed by a network of nerves acting as communication channels between our inner self—our mind—and the functions of our physical body. This nervous system is actually two systems. One is called the Sympathetic Nervous System, which handles all the stuff we don't consciously control, like digestion and cell repair (thank goodness we don't have to remember to digest our lunch!). The other is the Voluntary or Cerebro-spinal System, which deals with conscious perception from our senses and lets us control our movements. This system is centered in the brain, while the Sympathetic System is centered in a mass of nerves behind the stomach called the solar plexus, sometimes referred to as the "abdominal brain". So, the cerebro-spinal system is the pathway for our conscious mind, and the sympathetic system is the pathway for our subconscious mind.

But for our conscious and subconscious minds to interact, there needs to be a link between their corresponding nerve systems. One major connection is the vagus nerve. This nerve starts in the brain as part of the voluntary system, helping us control our vocal cords (so you can thank it for your ability to sing in the shower). Then it goes down into the chest, sending branches to the heart and lungs. Finally, as it passes through the diaphragm, it loses the outer coating that marks it as part of the voluntary system and merges with the sympathetic system. This makes it a bridge between the two systems, effectively uniting us physically into one whole being.

Similarly, different parts of the brain correspond to our conscious and subconscious mind activities. Generally speaking, the front part of the brain handles our conscious thoughts, while the back part deals with the subconscious stuff. The middle part? It does a bit of both.

From Intuition to Habit Formation

Our intuition comes into play in this upper area between the front and back parts of the brain. Physically speaking, this is where intuitive ideas come in. At first, these ideas are vague and general, but our conscious mind still picks up on them—otherwise, we wouldn't notice them at all. Nature then tries to shape these ideas into something more definite and usable. So, our conscious mind grabs onto them and triggers a corresponding signal in our voluntary nervous system. This, in turn, induces a similar signal in the involuntary system, effectively passing the idea over to the subconscious mind. The signal that initially went from the top of the brain to the front and then through the voluntary nerves to the solar plexus now reverses direction. It goes back up from the solar plexus through the sympathetic system to the back of the brain. This return signal indicates the action of the subconscious mind.

If we could peek inside the top of the brain, we'd find the corpus callosum, a shiny band of brain tissue. This is where the subjective and objective meet. As the signal returns from the solar plexus to this point, it's brought back to the conscious part of the brain in a new form, transformed by the subconscious mind's "silent alchemy." So, the idea that was once vague is now clear and workable. The conscious mind then, using the frontal brain—the area responsible for analysis and comparison—works on this well-defined idea to unlock its hidden potential.

Now, keep in mind that I'm talking about our mental self as we know it—in our physical bodies—even though there's probably a lot more to explore about how it might work in other states. But for everyday life, we need to consider ourselves as we are now. From this perspective, the way our body's physiology corresponds to our mind's actions is important. So, even though ideas originate purely in the mind, we shouldn't forget that on the physical level, every mental action involves a corresponding molecular change in the brain and in both parts of the nervous system.

As the old Elizabethan poet said, "the soul is form, and doth the body make." This suggests that our physical body is a mechanical setup specially designed to harness the powers of the soul—just like a steam engine is built to use steam power. Recognizing this give-and-take between the soul (or mind) and the body is the foundation of all spiritual or mental healing. That's why studying how this mechanical setup works is an important part of Mental Science. But remember, the body is the effect, not the cause.

At the same time, it's important to note that sometimes cause and effect can switch places—like how the same device can generate mechanical power when electricity is applied or generate electricity when mechanical power is applied. Here's why this matters: actions that start out as voluntary often become automatic over time. They move from our conscious mind to our subconscious and set up permanent residence there.

Modern neuroscience has uncovered fascinating insights into how our brains are not fixed but incredibly adaptable—a concept known as neuroplasticity. Every thought we think doesn't just fade into the ether; it leaves a physical imprint on our brain's structure. When we repeatedly entertain the same thought, we're reinforcing specific neural pathways, strengthening them much like muscles are strengthened through exercise. Over time, these pathways become well-worn "mental grooves," making it easier for the same type of thoughts to occur automatically.

Think of these neural pathways as trails in a forest. The more you walk a particular path, the clearer and more accessible it becomes. Conversely, paths you neglect become overgrown and harder to find. Once these "grooves of thought" are established, they influence our thinking patterns and behaviors on autopilot, often without us even realizing it. This automatic flow of energy through established neural circuits can perpetuate habits—both good and bad.

This is why it's so crucial to be mindful of what we consistently think about. Negative or unwanted thoughts aren't harmless—they're actively carving out neural pathways that can lead to ingrained habits and patterns of behavior that don't serve us. On the flip side, by intentionally focusing on positive and empowering thoughts, we can create new pathways that lead to healthier habits and a more fulfilling life.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

As we conclude our deep dive into the intricate relationship between mind and body, we've uncovered how our thoughts are not just fleeting mental events—they have real, tangible effects on our physical selves. We've explored how mental attitudes can influence everything from the neural pathways in our brains to the very cells that make up our bodies. By understanding this profound connection, we gain the power to consciously shape our health, our habits, and ultimately, our lives.

But this is just one layer of a much larger tapestry. If our minds can influence our bodies so profoundly, what influences our minds? Where do those spontaneous flashes of intuition come from? What is the source of the imagination that fuels our creativity and innovation?

This brings us to the next exciting chapter of our journey: The Soul.

In Part 15, we'll delve into the essence of our being that goes beyond the physical and the mental. We'll explore how the mind itself is an instrument adapted to a higher power—a power that stimulates our mental faculties in ways we might not even be consciously aware of. We'll look into how our intuition and imagination serve as gateways to this higher realm, capturing ideas from the infinite and presenting them to us to shape and manifest.

We'll also discuss how aligning our will with this higher power can unlock limitless possibilities of knowledge and creativity. By understanding the soul's role in our lives, we can begin to tap into inspiration that transcends our usual ways of thinking, opening doors to insights and innovations that can transform not just our own lives but potentially the world around us.

So, are you ready to journey deeper into the core of your being? To explore the source of your highest thoughts and the wellspring of your creativity? See you in Part 15.