FAITH, MINDFULLNESS, MEDITATION, DANCE OF WHIRLING DERVISHES Part 1

WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

HOW TO TAP INTO THE POWER OF OUR MIND TO FEEL BETTER?

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field, I’ll meet you there.” -Rumi

In the practice of medicine, which does not always follow the medical textbooks, we as doctors usually encounter two groups of patients. One group does everything right like eating their veggies, avoiding red meat, processed foods and sweets, they exercise, watch their weight and have regular checkups. We expect them to have a healthy long life extending to their old age. But this is not always the case. More often than not, they have the feeling of worry, anxiety, stress and many complaints associated with these mental states.

The other group of patients usually doesn’t follow the rules. They pig out on junk food, guzzle beers, are overweight, do not exercise, nor do they have regular checkups. But they are perfectly healthy with no complaints whatsoever. 

So what is going on here?

As I see it, we as doctors are neglecting the fact that human beings are created not only with a body but with a combination of body-and-mind. We tend to pay more attention to the physical aspects of health, than the mental aspect of health. We are taught this during our training and since they cause pathological changes in our organ system, it’s easier to diagnose the cause of physical complaints. Mind related mental complaints do not cause any anatomical abnormalities in our organs but only functional abnormalities. That is why they are called and psychosomatic illnesses.

Then it becomes obvious that we as doctors should not only emphasize physical well-being but also mental well-being.

Mind rules over the body. Our brain, as an anatomical organ, creates the mind. We have 86 billion brain cells (neurons), which also have healing powers through the production of many chemical molecules, namely communication neuropeptides, repair and renewal molecules, and feel good molecules. There are four well known basic molecules that create our state on mind and happiness. They are Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins.

Scientific studies have shown that with certain spiritual exercises like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, prayer and/or the ritual dance of whirling dervishes, we can clear our mind of all negative thoughts and feelings by increasing the production of happiness molecules of our brain.

We will discuss religious and mindfulness practices and mental health in upcoming second and third part of this article.