You’ve probably heard it before: “Just think positively; everything will work out.” And you probably wondered whether there is some truth to it or if it’s merely wishful thinking with no basis in reality. Science is now catching up to what ancient wisdom seekers have known for centuries: Our thoughts and emotions can play a huge role in healing and transforming our physical states.
The Connection Between Mind and Body
Pioneering research is illuminating the ways our minds can influence our physical states – for better or worse. We now know that our thoughts and emotions can be directly linked to various biochemical reactions in the body. Studies have shown that specific techniques, like guided imagery, can bring about significant shifts within the body’s core functions.
Raising Core Body Temperature
Research examining an advanced meditation technique known as g-tummo found that experienced practitioners could significantly increase their core body temperatures. G-tummo is a rare, ancient, and revered Tibetan spiritual practice. In the study, meditators wrapped a cold, wet sheet around their torsos and used the g-tummo technique to dry the sheet completely, despite being in sub-freezing temperatures. Although less experienced meditators saw similar outcomes, they were less dramatic in nature.
This and other research highlight how increased meditation ability can lead to an enhanced capacity to influence our minds and core body functions. Regular meditation and quieting of the mind can offer a profound impact on our overall well-being, enabling us to create genuine positive affirmations and harness the power of guided mental imagery, which in turn, leads to concrete positive changes like enhanced healing capacity.
Healing with Guided Imagery
Mental imagery involves using the power of the mind to think in images and defining a specific intent. While the world may bombard us with visual stimuli, causing us to overlook this ability, engaging in mental imagery can be beneficial in promoting healing. To harness the power of mental imagery, follow these steps:
- Relax your body and mind: This can be achieved by lying down, sitting with your back straight, breathing deeply, and focusing your attention on your internal processes.
- Create an opening in awareness: Shift your perception and acknowledge that everything around and inside you is in constant flux.
- Focus on your mental imagery: Choose a clear, vivid image and focus on it, while still remaining aware of your surroundings. Envision the desired outcome coming true.
With the right practice, you can incorporate this technique into your daily activities, making visualizations more readily achievable.
Improvements on All Levels
By altering the way our minds function through meditation and other mind-body disciplines, we can achieve more control over our emotions and thoughts. This control can translate into numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits, including improved hormonal and nervous system function, balanced metabolism, better insulin function, lower blood pressure, boosted immunity, and a heightened sense of well-being.
A Growing Body of Research
Research supports the claim that regular practice of guided imagery can have measurable physiological effects and clinical outcomes in various areas of health and illness. Multiple studies have documented the impact of guided imagery on bladder health, immunity, cancer, and osteoarthritis, among others.
Meditation and mind-body practices can result in transformative effects on both clinical practice and individuals’ quality of life. Numerous success stories showcase the role that the power of the mind plays in overcoming illness successfully against all odds. With the ongoing development of research into the power of the mind-body connection, the potential for improved health and overall well-being has never been greater.
