New Adventures of the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
By Rev. LeRoy E. Zemke
Pastor, Temple of the Living God
In this world, you have to play your part in God's drama; but if you get lost in the drama, you will make a mess of your life.
The Divine Romance
Paramhansa Yogananda
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints in the sands of time.
Henry Wadsworth
The frontier of the Mind-Body-Spirit connection is perhaps the single most important scientific/spiritual breakthrough of the twentieth century. And as the new twenty-first century unfolds and as we better understand our body and its mysteries, we are seeing an amazing synthesis of the obvious as well as less known relationships between our mental-emotional-spiritual layers and our more human self.
Stating some perceptions:
We are more than we can see, touch or experience. In his remarkable work Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, Dr. Deepak Chopra, M.D. speaks of the profound relationship of the field of the mind, a non-local energy system that has a subtle influence upon the physical body and all its functions. While saints, sages and avatars have spoken of this same relationship in their poetry, verse, visions and revelations, Dr. Chopra brilliantly languages the dynamics in scientific and medical data. His conclusion is that our invisible (subtle) nature is inextricably interwoven into our human form.
Change is possible. More writers, psychologists, behavior modification educators and specialists, and teachers of nearly every persuasion, from the very practical business related and human issues to the more arcane areas of life, tout and consistently support the changes that we implement or initiate in our lives.
Health, Happiness, Wholeness: With the plethora of teachers and teachings, writers and the data offered, sorting through the overwhelming task of what is and what is not useful and of value is the issue. Here we need guides and guidelines, classes and coaches to support our specific needs. Again the ongoing challenge is staying with what we begin. Health and wholeness and happiness are indeed ours. But with more information comes more responsibility, the responsibility of choosing what will serve us best.
The new dimensions of Mind-Body-Spirit will appear in three areas of life.
(a) Energetic relationships to the kingdoms.
(b) Understanding the definitive role of the actual DNA patterns unleashed in the human form.
(c) The interrelationship of the spirit (also called Mind) and its imprinting upon and within life.
(a) Understanding the energetic relationships to the kingdoms include: animal (and human), vegetable, mineral and those subtle kingdoms beyond form; i.e., the reality of fairy folk, devas, angels, and the realms of masters, teachers and guiding forces outside our human sensory ken. Systems of thought already exist, such as homeopathy, energetic Bach Flower Essences, herbology, acupuncture, all forms of healing, body work, with increased emphasis upon uses of sound (chanting, music, singing), color and light
(b) DNA research into the field of the human genome is heralding data about potentials at the most basic level of energy. Cells contain information about cloning and about disease probabilities, such as kidney ailments, mental imbalances, indications toward diabetes, cancer, etc. How can these patterns be reversed, or can they be reversed? Are they carried in the soul and thus into the body (in a specific male/female form) to be healed? If change can be affected, who can set it into motion? And, is this a matter of choice in the deeper dimensions of our being? Questions abound. But it is the next thrust development, as I see it.
(c) Medical practitioners, health care practitioners and healers across the planet are now aware of the nature of spiritual reality. (Not all choose to acknowledge it.) This form of reality exists in the results of controlled scientifically monitored experiments such as the power of prayer upon patients as written about by Dr. Larry Dossey: Healing Words, The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine; Prayer Is Good Medicine; Be Careful What You Pray For, You Might Get It. But he is only one of many public men and women who share such informational data. Dr. Chopra (mentioned earlier) has long taught that there is an incredible relationship between our spiritual life and how as humans we live in the world in our ordinary day-to-day life.
Additionally, of course, all spiritual teachers around the world emphasize the nature of spiritual reality. This reality is attainable in various degrees through such avenues as prayer, meditation, contemplation or special practices as yoga, or various systems using sound or breath (as the doorway).
The breakthrough, I believe, as we enter more fully into the 21st century is that there will be a much greater interaction and relationship between esoteric and exoteric. The shaman, the medicine man/woman will be equally valued for their gifts as are the trained therapist, medical practitioner or hypnotherapist. The well-trained psychic will share a meaningful place in the larger scheme of things (spiritual and metaphysical) as well as policeman, fireman, or tradesman. The policeman, for example, is attempting to serve the community through law enforcement. Forensic medicine, with its ability to reconstruct crimes and their somewhat gruesome details, reveals the guilt or innocence of accused persons. Psychics who can see spirits, read energy patterns and accurately delineate behavior can offer valuable data to the investigation of such matters. But, of course, the psychic stands as a healer and often as a teacher of spiritual realities as well. My point? Both - the policeman and the psychic person - could be able "partners" in bringing the mind-body-spirit connection into closer existence. This is, of course, only one small example of such a relationship.
Finally, I do believe that the 21st century will bring us continuing revelations through research in all the arenas of my original three points: energetic relationships, the role of DNA patterns, and the interrelationship of the spirit. Television, with its free roving camera for meaningful programming will continue to be a resource for the public mind to explore and consider such ideas.
Authors, poets, dramatists, philosophers, artists, musicians, visionaries, in reality all areas of human endeavor around the world, have gifts to offer. The possibilities are unlimited as to how these interactions will unfold. Experimental theater, art, music and literature bring new talent and new vision to the forefront. Young scientists (maybe alchemists?) mathematicians, educators and teachers of children have a formidable work ahead of them. They still must sort out what serves us as a people and find reliable and meaningful ways to share their discoveries that can lead us into a more transformational world.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glories above the heavens.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Psalms 8:1, 3, 4, 5, 9
