THE MYSTERIOUS MIND (A Miraculous power In Health and Disease)

 Several scientific studies have validated the power of mind/body factor and its impact on health and disease. We all know how powerfully our emotions affect our bodies. If the attention is focused in such a way that it generates feelings of anxiety, tension, worry, stess, depression, that eventually leads to a physical effect on the bodys. It has also been proved that mind/body factor has a far greater effect on health than exposure to germs, smoking, diet, lack of exercise and many other risk factors. 

Hypnotised subjects are made to feel their hand is warm and even blisters appear just with the power of suggestions. Effects of a placebo  inert substance) cause a relief in pain has been accepted by medical science. The placebo effect of relief of pain has been attributed to inçreased production of endorphin which is hundred times more potent than morphine. Thus, pain relief is a function of the mind as it is the place where endorphins are found. A great researcher in neuropeptides, Candace Pert says "I can no longer make a strong distinction between brain and body." Indeed, the more we know about the neuropeptides it is harder to think in terms of mind and body.

It is true that the mind cannot manifest its faculties so easily without the tool of the body. But it can very well maintain its unique potential even in a weak, injured or handicapped body. Hence the enthusiastic statement expressing the importance of health in human life that "healthy mind lies in a healthy body" is not quite true.
The mind has the power to maintain its unique potentials even in a weak or handicapped body. Thus the mental power could be awakened and made more sharp even in an unhealthy body. This has been demonstrated by many examples. 

In ancient history of India, the lives of rishis like Chyavan and Valmiki are examples of the above kind. The physical bodies of these rishis had become almost like skeletons because of practicing strict penance. Their souls however existed in spiritually subjugated states with full expressions of life even in those hollow bodies. Many yogis in their deep trance also remained lively despite stopping their physical activities of heart, brain and other organs for a desired period of time. After completion of the trance they bring back the body to a normal state.

Another Sadhu Haridas, a sadhu of nineteenth century in India, renowned for his power to control his body completely using the power of his mind, employing the energy of kundalini. His most notable feat carried out in 1937, was to survive burial underground, without food or water, for forty days. This feat was said to have taken place at the court of the Maharaja of the Punjab, Ranjit singh, at Lahore, India (now in Pakistan).
Dr Stephen's Hawking's life is a shining example of this kind in the present time. This great cosmologist, despite being totally handicapped physically, has made remarkable contribution in unraveling the secrets of the cosmos. This distinguished professor at Cambridge University in the UK had derived certain scientific principles, which has given rise to striking changes and rethinking on the theories of the origin and expansion of the universe and the existence of black holes.

The eminent cosmologist was diagnosed to be suffering from a dreadful disease called Motor neuron disease, (commonly known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at the age of 21years in early 1963 while he was a doctoral student. He was not expected to live more than two to four years. Hence completing his doctorate did not appear likely. His initial reaction quoted in his own words in a few paragraphs below as to how could he fight out the disease.
He said "that the realisation that I had an incurable disease that was likely to kill me in a few years was a bit of shock. How could something like that happen to me? Why should I be cut off like this? But shortly after I came out of hospital, I dreamt that I was going to be executed. I suddenly realized that there were a lot of worthwhile things I could do if I were reprieved. Another dream that I had several times was that I would sacrifice my life to save others. After all if I was going to die anyway, it might as well do some good. But I didn't die. In fact, although there was a cloud hanging over my future I found to my surprise that I was enjoying my life in the present more than I had before. I began to make progress with my research, got engaged and married, and got a research fellowship."

He also forged new roads into the understanding of the universe in the decades. As the disease spread gradually he lost power in all his muscles and was on wheelchair. Ultimately he lost his voice completely after a tracheostomy operation when he caught an attack of pneumonia in 1985. A speech generating device constructed at Cambridge, combined with a software program, served as his electronic voice, allowing him to select his words by moving the muscles in his cheek. Dr. Stephen Hawking has been regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history. His work on the origin and structure of the universe from Big Bang to black hole, revolutionized the field, while his best selling books "A Brief History of Time" have the appreciation of readers who may not have knowledge of Hawking's scientific background.

Hawking defied the odds vt not only attaining his doctorate but also of surviving for 55 more years, despite of all the physical disabilities.

Dr Stephen Hawking's life is a shining example of his physically diseased brain in a disabled body, make us to rethink the widely famous statement of "healthy mind in a healthy body". His life is the most convincing evidence of the fact that potentials of human brain blossom beyond the barriers of physical fitness. They can be elevated and used in full capacity by human being so long his soul exists in the body, howsoever weak or hollow the latter may be.