A lot has been said in recent years about the connection between our thoughts and our health. Each of us has had the experience of thinking about a stressful event and feeling our heart beat faster, our palms start to sweat and noticing our breath getting faster. This is a perfect example of how closely link the mind and body are.

Less has been said in main stream research about how body and spirit relate, and yet we instincitvely know that the triad of mind, body and spirit are essential to wholehearted living. Without a physical container (our body), it is very difficult to exerience a connection to spirit. We need our five senses to appreciate the wonder of a sunset, the beauty of music and the many other blissful experiences that bring us closer to a sense of wonderment. In those moments we feel connected to something greater than ourselves. These experiences may include religion but are universal enough to transcend any fixed culture or religious afflitaion – they are part of our humanity.

So how do we return to our senses? How do we deepen our connection to spirit and ensure that we a enjoying the balance of health embodied by the triad of mind, body and spirit? It begins with paying attention to the sensory information in our bodies. We are often too busy to notice the many signs and clues that our body provides and it is not until something physical breaks down that we finally pay attention. I observe this in my physiotherapy practice daily. The signs of impending injury were often there for a long time before a client is finally forced to slow down and respond.

True health and wholeness is a refelection of the health of the mind, the body and the spirit. If you would like to disover more about how mind and spirit are linked, I will be teaching an evening workshop at Loretto Maryholme on September 17 called Organic Spirituality : Coming To Our Senses. Cost is $25 for dinner and an evening spent exploring this topic on the beautiful screened porch overlooking Lake Simcoe. To register contact Lorretto Maryholme directly.