The Body: Physical Entity, Bodymind, Bioenergy, and Potential Doorway to Spiritual Awareness

by Daniel J. Benor, MD

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In conventional medicine, the body is the starting point for addressing most of people's ills. Many in this tradition believe we are the physical products of our genetic inheritance, shaped by the physical environment, and slated - when the physical body releases its hold on life - to end our existence and return to dust. There is no purpose to life other than reproducing the species, plus that which an individual chooses to make of her or his existence.

These assumptions have significant implications for caregivers and careseekers...

In wholistic medicine, the body is part of a larger system, including also emotions, mind, relationships (with each other and with the environment) and spirit...

     The mind has great influence over the body,
     and maladies often have their origin there.
     Moliére

Consciousness is an entity in and of itself. Consciousness is a level of being that can influence the body, as well as being influenced by the body....

It is important to ask, "What is your body saying through these problems?" before wholistic therapists start to treat symptoms or illnesses.

Taking advantage of on-line facilities, for our lay readers we omit technical details and link explanations for key words that may not be familiar, and for our caregiver professional readers we supplement basic materials with references and links to more detailed discussions. Both research and clinical references will be featured, including medical, psychological and spiritual studies.

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