Reading ‘Body Mind Balancing’ by Osho
“Using Your Mind To Heal Your Body“
In the midst of global panic about the Coronavirus, let’s try to find a little light in the darkness and find out about ways we can achieve physical health and psychological wellbeing. The virus is a global threat but while sadly people have died, a lot more have recovered.
Keep that positive information in your mind before you start pressing the panic button. Also, remember that fear weakens your immune system and so even if positive spirits will not block the virus, strengthening your body and mind might make a difference and keep you sane.
Body Mind Balancing explores the deep connection between the mind and the body, and the effects of their (im)balance on our overall health. Osho teaches about the intelligence and wisdom of the body, our lack of awareness of it and how we don’t appreciate that enough, if not at all. We’ve been taught to separate the body and the mind, and these are one. The results have been many illnesses, misery and the absence of harmony.
The book talks about awareness of the body and the mind. The awareness of the miracle that is our body and to not only be aware of it when something is wrong, such as when we are sick. We should communicate with our bodies and befriend them, thank them and treat them well. Osho also emphasises the importance of listening to our bodies’ language. For example, when your body tells you to stop eating but you add one or two more because it tastes good. Your body has already communicated, and then you end up with discomfort in your body.
Another thing he talks about is suppression and that because of the body-mind connection, when you supress anything (emotion), in the body is a corresponding part that is affected. He discusses misery and joy – the former being a result that somewhere you’ve gone off-track, and the former resulting from your body being in rhythm.
Osho also gives advice on symptoms and solutions.
Here are some of them:
- Sleeplessness – when you’re up and can’t sleep then you shouldn’t force it because sleep comes, it does not need to be forced or manipulated. It also means that your body is rested and if you say you feel tired it is all in the mind.
- Shoulder and neck pain – he suggests deep tissue massage and acupuncture.
- Hypochondria – he talks about the vicious circle of thinking too much about something being wrong with the body, resulting in the body falling ill and then thinking too much about the illness. One of the things he suggests is Naturopathy.
- Negative feelings about the body – here he says that if you love your body, you take care of it more, you listen to it and become attuned to it. This results in it feeling and looking better.
He then speaks about meditation and its wonderful benefits, including healing and making you whole. There is a state of let-go that we need to learn, something that has been labelled laziness in this world of busyness and workaholics. There is a significant point he makes about competitiveness and how chasing what others have and are doing, does not serve us at all. He says that what we need is surrender. When we let go we can sit peacefully in a space of beauty and tranquillity, and find harmony of the body, mind and soul.
I hope that in the chaos and confusion of the pandemic that surrounds us, you’ll find ways that will help you stay centred, focused and calm. It is also vital to make sure that for any battle, like this virus, one needs to be prepared and strong, so take care of your body and take care of your mind.
Don’t forget to follow the guidelines on minimising the risk of getting the Coronavirus, for your health and safety and for others.
Take care of yourself! ♥
The Book Neighbourhood 