Jan. 5, 2025
Utilizing the Mind-Body Connection
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
Amazon Music 
RSS Feed 
Castro 
RadioPublic 
PocketCasts 
YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter XVIII Mind, pp. 139-140 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/utilizing-the-mind-body-connection/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are all available on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:05,120
We find that our state of
physical health clearly impacts
2
00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:08,840
our minds.
In cases of severe pain, the
3
00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:13,000
mind may actually be fixated on
the pain signals and be unable
4
00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:17,480
for that period of time to focus
on virtually anything else.
5
00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,480
But the connection is more
subtle than simply reacting to
6
00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:25,200
acute pain.
We find that as we experience
7
00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:30,320
some kind of discomfort, we
begin to worry, to speculate, to
8
00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:35,240
research causes of the symptoms
we are experiencing, and then to
9
00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:39,680
begin to self diagnose and
create scenarios in our minds
10
00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,520
about what is taking place and
what the impact will be.
11
00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:48,520
We turn specific bodily signals
into a cause for creation of an
12
00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,360
entire structure of gloom and
doom.
13
00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:56,840
In many cases, the mind's action
creates stress which impacts the
14
00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,600
body in a negative feedback
loop.
15
00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,879
If we then visit a doctor and
undergo some review and testing
16
00:01:04,879 --> 00:01:08,840
by experts in the field of
physical health, recognizing
17
00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,480
that they don't necessarily have
all the answers and may
18
00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:15,480
themselves wind up speculating
to some degree.
19
00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:20,520
In many cases we learn that what
we feared has not come to pass.
20
00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,320
In the meantime, our mind has
been sending signals of fear and
21
00:01:25,320 --> 00:01:28,080
uncertainty back to the body
consciousness.
22
00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,480
Even supposing that our
speculation and fear was based
23
00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,800
in the reality of the body's
actual experience, the reaction
24
00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:42,120
is generally not helpful and may
actually set back the process of
25
00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:47,680
restoring health or recovering.
On the other side, the mind can
26
00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:50,840
be a powerful aid to healing in
a number of ways.
27
00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:56,200
If it is properly utilized.
Its action can be subtle or
28
00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:01,600
overt, internal or external.
The mind can first of all
29
00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:05,400
refrain from jumping to
conclusions or imagining what
30
00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,400
the cause of the concern in the
body happens to be.
31
00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:13,560
This alone represents a shift
from the negative feedback loop
32
00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:18,520
to the body to a neutral status.
It can send positive
33
00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:22,760
affirmations or suggestions to
the body, such as indicating
34
00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,520
that this is likely a short term
issue that will soon be resolved
35
00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:31,480
or that support or assistance
will be acquired to aid the body
36
00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,880
in its restoration of balance
and health.
37
00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,760
The mind can organize a
response, including consultation
38
00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:43,400
and advice that may be able to
determine the actual situation
39
00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,960
and begin a course of treatment
as may be required.
40
00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:51,680
The mind may send a signal to
the body that a particular food,
41
00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:57,360
herb, drug, therapy, or other
action will fix the situation.
42
00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:02,320
The placebo effect represents
the mind telling the body that
43
00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:07,120
it is getting supported.
This creates a positive feedback
44
00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,680
loop.
Beyond that, the mind can take
45
00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:14,880
steps to provide the body with
healing vibrations such as
46
00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:18,680
immersion in healing sounds,
visiting nature sites that
47
00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:23,000
refresh and uplift the body and
mind, and positive thoughts of
48
00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,080
support to the body.
Calming and soothing activities
49
00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,760
can have a wonderful effect on
the body.
50
00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,480
It is easy for the mind to move
into a state of stress and
51
00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:38,520
communicate this to the body.
The mind may, through its own
52
00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:42,680
mode of action, actually create
imbalances in the body.
53
00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:48,560
In most cases, it may be best to
simply listen to the body and
54
00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:52,440
let it heal itself.
We see this phenomenon with
55
00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,320
animals when they are feeling
out of sorts.
56
00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,720
They may simply find a quiet
spot and sleep, allowing their
57
00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,680
body to restore itself.
Or they may seek out a
58
00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,160
particular herb or food which
they instinctively know will
59
00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:10,600
help them.
The body consciousness has a
60
00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,880
tremendous power to heal itself
if we don't try to apply our
61
00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,480
partial mental understanding and
solutions to its action.
62
00:04:19,959 --> 00:04:23,720
The Mother provides yet another
option, and that is to open
63
00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:28,680
oneself to the higher force of
the divine, to be receptive and
64
00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:33,520
to allow that force to set
things in order, the Mother
65
00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,680
writes.
Quote There are people as soon
66
00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:41,240
as the least thing happens to
their body, their mind is
67
00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:44,760
completely upset.
There are others still who may
68
00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,480
be very ill and yet keep their
mind clear.
69
00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:52,880
It is rarer and more difficult
to see a mind that's upset and
70
00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:57,080
the body remaining healthy.
It is not impossible, but it is
71
00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:01,440
much rarer, for the body depends
a great deal on the state of the
72
00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,560
mind.
The mind, I have written it
73
00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:09,320
there in the book, is the master
of the physical being, and I
74
00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:13,360
have said the latter was a very
docile and obedient servant.
75
00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:18,080
Only one doesn't know how to use
one's mind, rather the opposite.
76
00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:23,720
Not only does one not know how
to use it, but one uses it I'll
77
00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:28,520
as badly as possible.
The mind has a considerable
78
00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:33,600
power of formation and a direct
action on the body, and usually
79
00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,240
1 uses this power to make
oneself I'll.
80
00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,800
For as soon as the least thing
goes wrong, the mind begins to
81
00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:45,240
shape and build all the
catastrophes possible to ask
82
00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:49,760
itself whether it could be this,
whether it could be that, if it
83
00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:55,640
is going to be like that, and
how it will all end well if
84
00:05:55,640 --> 00:06:00,120
instead of letting the mind do
this disastrous work, one used
85
00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,840
the same capacity to make
favourable formations.
86
00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,480
Simply, for example, to give
confidence to the body, to tell
87
00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:12,480
it that it is just a passing
disturbance and that it is
88
00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:17,280
nothing, and if it enters a real
state of receptivity, the
89
00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:21,760
disorder will disappear as
easily as it has come, and one
90
00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:24,160
can cure oneself in a few
seconds.
91
00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:29,400
If one knows how to do that, one
gets wonderful results.
92
00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:32,400
End Quote.
Reference.
93
00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:38,800
Shrioro Vindo and the Mother
Powers Within, Chapter 18, Mind,
94
00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,640
pages 139 to 140.
00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:05,120
We find that our state of
physical health clearly impacts
2
00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:08,840
our minds.
In cases of severe pain, the
3
00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:13,000
mind may actually be fixated on
the pain signals and be unable
4
00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:17,480
for that period of time to focus
on virtually anything else.
5
00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,480
But the connection is more
subtle than simply reacting to
6
00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:25,200
acute pain.
We find that as we experience
7
00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:30,320
some kind of discomfort, we
begin to worry, to speculate, to
8
00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:35,240
research causes of the symptoms
we are experiencing, and then to
9
00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:39,680
begin to self diagnose and
create scenarios in our minds
10
00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,520
about what is taking place and
what the impact will be.
11
00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:48,520
We turn specific bodily signals
into a cause for creation of an
12
00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,360
entire structure of gloom and
doom.
13
00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:56,840
In many cases, the mind's action
creates stress which impacts the
14
00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,600
body in a negative feedback
loop.
15
00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,879
If we then visit a doctor and
undergo some review and testing
16
00:01:04,879 --> 00:01:08,840
by experts in the field of
physical health, recognizing
17
00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,480
that they don't necessarily have
all the answers and may
18
00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:15,480
themselves wind up speculating
to some degree.
19
00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:20,520
In many cases we learn that what
we feared has not come to pass.
20
00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,320
In the meantime, our mind has
been sending signals of fear and
21
00:01:25,320 --> 00:01:28,080
uncertainty back to the body
consciousness.
22
00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,480
Even supposing that our
speculation and fear was based
23
00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,800
in the reality of the body's
actual experience, the reaction
24
00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:42,120
is generally not helpful and may
actually set back the process of
25
00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:47,680
restoring health or recovering.
On the other side, the mind can
26
00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:50,840
be a powerful aid to healing in
a number of ways.
27
00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:56,200
If it is properly utilized.
Its action can be subtle or
28
00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:01,600
overt, internal or external.
The mind can first of all
29
00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:05,400
refrain from jumping to
conclusions or imagining what
30
00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,400
the cause of the concern in the
body happens to be.
31
00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:13,560
This alone represents a shift
from the negative feedback loop
32
00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:18,520
to the body to a neutral status.
It can send positive
33
00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:22,760
affirmations or suggestions to
the body, such as indicating
34
00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,520
that this is likely a short term
issue that will soon be resolved
35
00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:31,480
or that support or assistance
will be acquired to aid the body
36
00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,880
in its restoration of balance
and health.
37
00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,760
The mind can organize a
response, including consultation
38
00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:43,400
and advice that may be able to
determine the actual situation
39
00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,960
and begin a course of treatment
as may be required.
40
00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:51,680
The mind may send a signal to
the body that a particular food,
41
00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:57,360
herb, drug, therapy, or other
action will fix the situation.
42
00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:02,320
The placebo effect represents
the mind telling the body that
43
00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:07,120
it is getting supported.
This creates a positive feedback
44
00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,680
loop.
Beyond that, the mind can take
45
00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:14,880
steps to provide the body with
healing vibrations such as
46
00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:18,680
immersion in healing sounds,
visiting nature sites that
47
00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:23,000
refresh and uplift the body and
mind, and positive thoughts of
48
00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,080
support to the body.
Calming and soothing activities
49
00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,760
can have a wonderful effect on
the body.
50
00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,480
It is easy for the mind to move
into a state of stress and
51
00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:38,520
communicate this to the body.
The mind may, through its own
52
00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:42,680
mode of action, actually create
imbalances in the body.
53
00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:48,560
In most cases, it may be best to
simply listen to the body and
54
00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:52,440
let it heal itself.
We see this phenomenon with
55
00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,320
animals when they are feeling
out of sorts.
56
00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,720
They may simply find a quiet
spot and sleep, allowing their
57
00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,680
body to restore itself.
Or they may seek out a
58
00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,160
particular herb or food which
they instinctively know will
59
00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:10,600
help them.
The body consciousness has a
60
00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,880
tremendous power to heal itself
if we don't try to apply our
61
00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,480
partial mental understanding and
solutions to its action.
62
00:04:19,959 --> 00:04:23,720
The Mother provides yet another
option, and that is to open
63
00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:28,680
oneself to the higher force of
the divine, to be receptive and
64
00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:33,520
to allow that force to set
things in order, the Mother
65
00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,680
writes.
Quote There are people as soon
66
00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:41,240
as the least thing happens to
their body, their mind is
67
00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:44,760
completely upset.
There are others still who may
68
00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,480
be very ill and yet keep their
mind clear.
69
00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:52,880
It is rarer and more difficult
to see a mind that's upset and
70
00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:57,080
the body remaining healthy.
It is not impossible, but it is
71
00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:01,440
much rarer, for the body depends
a great deal on the state of the
72
00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,560
mind.
The mind, I have written it
73
00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:09,320
there in the book, is the master
of the physical being, and I
74
00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:13,360
have said the latter was a very
docile and obedient servant.
75
00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:18,080
Only one doesn't know how to use
one's mind, rather the opposite.
76
00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:23,720
Not only does one not know how
to use it, but one uses it I'll
77
00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:28,520
as badly as possible.
The mind has a considerable
78
00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:33,600
power of formation and a direct
action on the body, and usually
79
00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,240
1 uses this power to make
oneself I'll.
80
00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,800
For as soon as the least thing
goes wrong, the mind begins to
81
00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:45,240
shape and build all the
catastrophes possible to ask
82
00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:49,760
itself whether it could be this,
whether it could be that, if it
83
00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:55,640
is going to be like that, and
how it will all end well if
84
00:05:55,640 --> 00:06:00,120
instead of letting the mind do
this disastrous work, one used
85
00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,840
the same capacity to make
favourable formations.
86
00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,480
Simply, for example, to give
confidence to the body, to tell
87
00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:12,480
it that it is just a passing
disturbance and that it is
88
00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:17,280
nothing, and if it enters a real
state of receptivity, the
89
00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:21,760
disorder will disappear as
easily as it has come, and one
90
00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:24,160
can cure oneself in a few
seconds.
91
00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:29,400
If one knows how to do that, one
gets wonderful results.
92
00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:32,400
End Quote.
Reference.
93
00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:38,800
Shrioro Vindo and the Mother
Powers Within, Chapter 18, Mind,
94
00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,640
pages 139 to 140.