The connection between mind and body has powerful and amazing possibilities. Dr. Herbert Benson, a professor from Harvard Medical School founded the BHI, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine; also part of Massachusetts General Hospital. He is of the belief that a person's physical health is influenced by feelings, thoughts and behaviors. The same feelings, thoughts and behaviors can also be influences by physical symptoms. This is yet another amazing cycle of life at work.
We still don't have a concrete understanding of how a person's behaviors, feelings and thoughts are able to affect the development of disease as well as the body's ability to recover. Yes, we are aware of the fact some people have the ability to change their own thoughts with prayer with seemingly miraculous results such as the reversal of a terminal condition. However we still have to work on discovering exactly how these beliefs and thoughts affect our body. We do know that mind and body communicate constantly. What our mind experiences, thinks or perceives allows our brain to send such information to the rest of our body directly and steadily.
A powerful way people have found themselves influenced in regards to heath, both for themselves and others, has for centuries been through prayer. Using the mind body approach to medicine relies on teaching patients effective ways to reduce stress and change their natural thoughts, alleviating negative behaviors, and embracing their beliefs in order to control their health as they prevail over illness.
Among all of the religions; Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, or Christian, there is a commonality. They all hold deep belief systems in reference to prayer for healing. Online prayer groups, healing rooms and community prayer groups are readily available for everyone all over the world. An article published in the Washington Post says, "Surveys have found that perhaps half of Americans regularly pray for their own health, and at least a quarter have others pray for them."
However the religious are not the only proponents of prayer for altering health. Quantum physics cites a phenomenon whereby distant particles affect other's behavior in mysterious ways - thus having other people pray for you conceivably sends energy to you that can and does affect your health.
In addition to quantum physics citations, an abundance of studies have been done over the years which have found a strong correlation between prayer and health. The reasons are still unclear however many theories are currently being tested.
Researchers found in the results of one study, conducted with 990 cardiac patients at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo, how prayer improved health based on a combined score of various measures which were created by researchers for the particular study in question.
In a Heritage.org interview with Dr. Harold G. Koenig, a tenured Duke University associate professor of psychiatry and an associate professor of medicine, the director and founder of the Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health at Duke University, he cites several smaller studies. "In three of the studies you find a connection between religious involvement and immune and endocrine function; in five of seven studies, the religious experience lower mortality from cancer; in 14 of 23, they have significantly lower blood pressure; in 11 of 14, they have lower mortality; and in 12 of 13, clergy mortality is lower."
Without a doubt, prayer has a significant effect on both health and mortality. Scientists are better equipped to define parameters and control groups, as they continue these studies we'll continue to gain additional insight on the inner workings of this indisputable connection. Until this point is reached, it's powerful to understand our thoughts and beliefs having such a direct effect on our health and mortality, as well as that of others.
Deborah Lindholm
Author Bio
Ready to become empowered? Deborah Lindholm is a Serenity Empowerment Coach that shows you how to awaken your Inner Power Source to live an empowered life every single day. Download free pre-recorded telecasts, grab your "5 Simple Steps to Get What You Really, Really Want" report and more here: Free Stuff at Serenity Matters
