Proof of our ignorance of the connection between body and mind
is seen in the fact that most of us don’t even know where our bodily
organs are, much less their size, shape or functions. And if we
happen to know intellectually, we still don’t experience our organs
in a tangible way because we ignore their constant subtle mes-
sages. For instance, we think we are satisfied when our mind is
pleased: our intestines may be rebelling from over-eating, our lungs
may be taxed by smoke, our kidneys may be overworked from
coffee, but in our mind we’ve had a delicious meal, a good smoke,
and a great cup of coffee. We are numb to our organ’s feelings
and thereby block what is potentially our deepest experience of
good health.
We’re like the irresponsible automobile owner who spends all
his time waxing and polishing his car only to drive over bumpy,
dusty roads. He avoids cleaning the spark plugs or changing the
oil, then uses leaded instead of unleaded gasoline. When the car
breaks down, he curses, complaining that he is not a mechanic,
and then blames the car manufacturer when he’s told the car needs
a complete overhal.
We are really no different. We spend all our energy (and money)
making certain our outer selves are presentable, then we abuse
our inner selves by eating an imbalanced diet, drinking, smoking,
and worst of all, denying ourselves love. And then we’re shocked
when out of the blue our lungs collapse, our kidneys fail, or we’re
told we have cancer.
Some people have an astonishing ability to convince themselves
that their health is not caused by their own behavior, and quickly
blame their illness on bad genes, old age, fate, etc. But most people
are simply unaware that their illnesses are the direct result of ac-
cumulated years of stress and seemingly minor abuse of the physi-
cal body, especially of the vital organs. These vital organs are inti-
mately connected to every aspect of our mind. Our body is the
filter for all our perceptions, feelings, thoughts, as well as the store-
house for our memory, our very sense of identity.
Most people fail to realize that even if our mind temporarily stops
functioning, if we cease to think or feel, our organs can continue to
work. But the moment your spleen bursts, your heart stops, or
your liver malfunctions, your life is in serious danger.
The brain is the boss, but organs do the work. Imagine your
organs are working in a factory, your mind is the boss. If the boss
Secret of the Inner Smile