By Shelley Uram, MD
I’ve been a psychiatrist for more than 20 years, and I’ve heard the phrase “body, mind, spirit” many times. I was very pleased with this newly emerging holistic concept when I was a psychiatrist-in-training. It captured the concept of the spirit, which was usually ignored in American medicine, and the phrase included the mind whose influence on the body had also been minimized.
Understanding the Aspects of Self
I consider myself a holistic psychiatrist, but that’s not the “bottom line” of my interest. The inclusion of these three aspects of the self provides a far more accurate description of each of us when compared to traditional American medicine’s interest in addressing the physical body. If you’re searching for a deeper level of truth, I’d like to share my perspective with you.
Ultimately, before passing from this earth in death, most people become serious about reflecting upon their lives. They usually want to know if they’ve lived as they should’ve, and they want to know more deeply who they “really” are. This is the final reckoning. Our lives boil down to these and a few other questions.
So, what does this have to do with body, mind, spirit?
The real powerhouse of the three is spirit. It’s our soul or essence that can ultimately bring us peace in our minds, emotions, and body. Ignoring or choking our essence brings pain and suffering. Our American culture is not imbued with respect for, or recognition of, this most basic essential in every one of us. We suffer the consequences of this individually and as a nation.
What Is the Truth about Body, Mind, and Spirit?
They’re not equal.
They’re all very important, but they’re not equal.
Peace, at the level of the spirit and soul, can generate peace in the body and mind. Even if the body is ill or impaired, we can experience ongoing peace if that’s what we feel deep within. The corollary is that no matter how healthy the body is, it doesn’t bring long-lasting peace to the mind, emotions, or spirit.
Therefore, the more a therapeutic intervention addresses our essence or spirit, the greater impact it’ll have on the mind, emotions, and body. For many years, I’ve been a big fan of Pia Mellody’s treatment model. By addressing what are called “core issues,” I’ve seen many people settle into a centered, respectful, moderate, and calmer place within. From this space, a portal opens to soul-knowingness. When people come to honor this inner knowing, the payoff is remarkable.
A continued “cleaning up” in the five core issue areas is needed for the portal to remain open and grow a larger connection with the essence of the person or soul. When the wisdom and peace of the spirit are tapped into, the mind and body usually quickly follow its lead with healing and a sense of great relief.