What if we changed our paradigm from “Mind over Matter” to “Mind + Matter”? If we really lived Mind + Body, in a vision of positive partnering? We are in the middle of shifting our language and understanding from patriarchal dualistic ‘top-down obedience’ to one of respectful partnering. Our minds are starting to become aware that most of the processes of the body are automatic, and do not require the minds cognitive intervention. The mind is not “in charge of” the body. This is a false dichotomy we are replacing with a new vision of respectful positive partnering.
Right now, your heartbeat, breath, and the small contractions of the muscles in your body are not ‘controlled’ by your mind. They are not dependent on the mind at all, the body works amazing well to keep us alive without the conscious mind. However, if and when we add the conscious thought of the mind, when it partners with the body, like in an a breathing exercise, then that partnership can do great things. In fact, if we approach a breathing exercise where the mind is ‘in charge’ you’re likely to trip your autonomic nervous system into a stress response – the autonomic nervous system(body) takes over as it unconsciously interprets a possible dangerous interruption of breath. “Something is threatening our natural homeostatic rhythm of breathing, guard against it!” This kind of response is common when we try to learn breathing exercises or meditation.
But if our mind learns to respect the power of how we are automatically breathed, without a single conscious thought being involved, we can approach a breathing exercise like an adventurous partnership, staying calm and exploring the possibilities! This is positive partnering, a different approach that can safely replace “the mind is in charge of the body” or “mind over matter”.