Love the article Meredith - and the truth! with the words written - it all starts with the thinking, from the moment we awake, the mind can certainly make us physically, etc unwell, as you have stated, the body shows us what is then happening, which gives us the clue of going back to the thinking, to understand how they are connected - Healthy body, healthy mind and vice versa!
Thanks Amilia. Glad you liked it. Many people reject the notion that they are responsible for their health and well-being. You must see this in your line of work.
I can attest to this. This is a wonderful essay Meredith!
Though, it's definitely not something that most people want to hear, as it places agency back on them. Which actually if they pause and really think about it, is awesome because it gives them the power to help themselves.
Thank you, MJ, you’re right. Most people don’t want to hear this because it’s confronting. It disrupts their comfort. They only want quick fixes to feel good now. They don't want to put in any effort themselves. That's why wellness is a multibillion-dollar industry.
There’s something deeply human in the longing for inner coherence—but when wellness is framed as “if you’re sick, your thinking must be wrong,” it quietly slips into blame and oversimplification. CTM — Cognitive Transformational Mindfulness, the mindfulness framework I developed and share on Substack, makes a careful distinction here: the mind powerfully influences health, but it does not unilaterally cause illness. CTM focuses on restoring coherence between body, emotion, and meaning without collapsing complex biology into moral judgment or positive-thinking absolutism. A regulated, trusting nervous system supports healing—but it does so alongside medicine, biology, context, and care, not in place of them.
Makes good sense. I always focussed on physical excercise which is a positive pursuit. However when it gets so complicated, time consuming and stressful in having the 'perfect workout' I eventually realised the physical gaibs were negated by the emotional struggle so pointless. Now I also enjoy yoga and meditation which brings more balance overall.
So well put. Simple, yet profound life lesson. When we live in ways that are mindful, remain connected with our emotions, don't allow the emotions to drive us; we feel relaxed and that gives us energy.
When the mind is in chaos, the body feels the heat and pressure from it.
The mind is our most powerful tool, and yet we often forget to use it.
The only thing in our control is our thoughts, when we learn to control them in a positive way, our entire existence improves.
I agree with this in that there is much unrealized health for us waiting for our mind – the way we exist in this world– to change.
Agree totally
Such an important reminder. Thank you!
i’m glad it reminded you Astrud an dc thank you for sharing 🙏
Love the "final Contemplation" as Well!:_)
Love the article Meredith - and the truth! with the words written - it all starts with the thinking, from the moment we awake, the mind can certainly make us physically, etc unwell, as you have stated, the body shows us what is then happening, which gives us the clue of going back to the thinking, to understand how they are connected - Healthy body, healthy mind and vice versa!
Thanks Amilia. Glad you liked it. Many people reject the notion that they are responsible for their health and well-being. You must see this in your line of work.
I can attest to this. This is a wonderful essay Meredith!
Though, it's definitely not something that most people want to hear, as it places agency back on them. Which actually if they pause and really think about it, is awesome because it gives them the power to help themselves.
Thank you, MJ, you’re right. Most people don’t want to hear this because it’s confronting. It disrupts their comfort. They only want quick fixes to feel good now. They don't want to put in any effort themselves. That's why wellness is a multibillion-dollar industry.
There’s something deeply human in the longing for inner coherence—but when wellness is framed as “if you’re sick, your thinking must be wrong,” it quietly slips into blame and oversimplification. CTM — Cognitive Transformational Mindfulness, the mindfulness framework I developed and share on Substack, makes a careful distinction here: the mind powerfully influences health, but it does not unilaterally cause illness. CTM focuses on restoring coherence between body, emotion, and meaning without collapsing complex biology into moral judgment or positive-thinking absolutism. A regulated, trusting nervous system supports healing—but it does so alongside medicine, biology, context, and care, not in place of them.
Makes good sense. I always focussed on physical excercise which is a positive pursuit. However when it gets so complicated, time consuming and stressful in having the 'perfect workout' I eventually realised the physical gaibs were negated by the emotional struggle so pointless. Now I also enjoy yoga and meditation which brings more balance overall.
So well put. Simple, yet profound life lesson. When we live in ways that are mindful, remain connected with our emotions, don't allow the emotions to drive us; we feel relaxed and that gives us energy.
When the mind is in chaos, the body feels the heat and pressure from it.
Thank you for putting this up so well.