Finally I got my head together and my body fell apart!

by Steve Baker

Quite possibly if we did not work so hard to make such a distinction between ‘mind - body’, and regarded them as being one and the same, inseparable, neither would fall a-part so frequently. In fact if we got our ‘head together’ the body certainly would not fall apart. ‘We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us.’ em This article is aimed at better understanding the mind-body connection and how it affects our running. For that purpose I have introduced a new word to the English language: ‘minbo’, a ‘tongue in cheek’ way to keep us cognizant of the fact that the mind and the body is, and should be trained as an entity. Incidentally we have two cats and two dogs! So what? One cat is named ‘Min-dy’ and one of the dogs ‘Bo’! They keep me in touch. Coincidence? Who knows? Be that as it may, please read this article with an open mind .

Credit and thanks is given to the authors of the books listed in the bibliography. Also thanks to the athletes in my ‘Farther and Faster’ running clinics. Working, running and training with you is my inspiration. You make me think ... ‘Is there a better way.’ To that end let us continue to train and journey sometimes together, and other times alone, to that ‘Little blue hole in the sky’, and by exploring our own potential help those around us achieve their dreams, and goals.

The ideas presented here are to my knowledge without any scientific understanding of the forces or powers involved ... called by some ‘blind faith’. For some, not too different than the rest of our training! Not entirely true, of course, because there is more evidence and consensus of opinion among athletes, researchers and coaches on the physiology of training than there is on the psychology of training.

In the interest of more effective training I would like to examine the importance of the concept of ‘minbo’, which goes a step further than the comprehensive synergetic approach to teaching, I researched and developed in 1972, called ‘S.E.E.’: ‘Synergetic Ecological Education’, which made a positive attempt not to separate mind from body, spirit from flesh, and appearance from feeling. Here, however, let us take it a step further and consider the two parts of the mind: the conscious or rational level, and the subconscious or irrational level, their inter-relationship and their major influence on the body’s health, development and performance. This method attempts to better understand cerebral conscious and unconscious activity feedback and its incredible power as it affects in a positive or negative way the physical aspects of training and racing. The subconscious mind is the seat of emotions and is the creative mind. Remember, however, that these are not two minds, but ‘... merely two spheres of activity within one mind.’ jm

As with the physical aspects of training, running form for example, the law of action and reaction is universal, obeyed by every leaf, stone, speck of dust and human cell. Habitual thoughts at the conscious level pass on to the subconscious mind, which in turn creates and brings to reality according to the nature of the thoughts. If you have any doubts about the power of the mind to affect the body, pay attention to what sensations exist, and what happens to your body when you think deeply about ... say ... a sad film, ... a frightening moment, ... or a sexual experience.

Consider your thought as an action.

The reaction is the automatic response of your subconscious mind to that thought. Watch what you think and say. You have to account for every idle word and thought. Your subconscious does not have a sense of humor, nor does it argue with you. It absorbs and accepts whatever your conscious mind feeds it. Think kindly and kindness follows. Think evil and evil follows. Think smooth, strong, fast ... and who knows what might happen! ‘You are what you think all day long.’ jm You are free, of course, to choose to think about whatever you wish, but remember ... ‘If you repeat a negative thought or act over a period of time, you will be under the compulsion of a habit. The law of your subconscious is compulsion.’ jm ‘Practice makes perfect’ is not true. Practice makes permanent. ‘Perfect practice makes perfect.’ Each time you practice / repeat something incorrect you are making the mistake more ingrained in you mind. This applies not only to physical, but mental activities and all skill training. The unconscious mind, never sleeps! It builds and repairs your body 24 hours a day, and any negative thinking interferes with this life giving process. It controls all the bodies vital functions and processes and has answers to all your problems. In as much as your consciousness dictates the acts of the subconscious, it has an influence on every cell in your body, ‘ ... and every cell in your body affects your consciousness.’ z Keep your thoughts positive and expect the best, and your unconscious mind ‘...will faithfully reproduce your habitual thinking.’ jm Scary, but exciting isn’t it?. ‘Your intentions create the reality that you experience. Until you become aware of this, it happens unconsciously. Therefore be mindful of what you project . That is the first step to authentic power.’ jz

How can you better train your most intimate friend, ‘minbo’, in developing a new blue print to guide the subconscious? To start, you have to believe in the concept, even though you might not understand the process. Read, study, talk to others, but whatever you do start talking positively to and about yourself. No comment! However, it is a reminder of the importance of laughter in whatever we do, for humor and anxiety can not co-exist. Talk in a very positive way. Just as you would to your best friend. Know what I mean: encouraging, supportive, lovingly ... never using the word ‘can’t’. The best time, I believe, to start this ‘chat’ is just before going to sleep. If you consider that a new body is built every eleven to twelve months, and that for much of this time you are asleep, it makes sense to maximize the use of this time. Eliminate negative emotions, conscious or unconscious that interfere with self-improvement and the life building process. Imagine success and love.

Until more recently, the last time I remembered doing this on a regular basis was when I was a young kid. My mother called it prayer. I don’t think from how she or my church explained God that I was talking to the same guy, but I sincerely believe that did not, and does not matter. Pip the stray-dog: my adventurous running companion was not abstract but real, and non-judgmental! That helped channel my chat, wishes, images and aspirations to my sub-conscious mind, which in turn listened and made many a ‘dream’ a reality. The record breaking race around the hay bails, no matter how intense, wasn’t for a medal, external recognition, or fear of reprizal / blackmail, for there were no spectators. It was for the sake of positive fulfillment, goal attained, fun, play, ... and love. Incidentally, Pip never did let me win ... but then how could I lose! Trying to keep up with him was the incentive I needed to be the best I could be. He disappeared soon after. I like to believe that he must have turned his attention to ultra-marathoning.
There is no room here for adult cynicism. You grow old when you cease to dream and have goals. Don’t turn your back on the child-like ways and intuitive knowledge that works. The kiss that for no logical reason healed a very painful and real injury, in seconds! That wasn’t imagined, that was, and still can be real. Rekindle that faith you had as a child. Keep your conscious mind active with expectation of the best, and your subconscious will always reflect your habitual thinking. You are / become what you think : ‘The subconscious will bring to pass any picture held in the mind backed by faith.’ jm Better still, see, smell, taste, feel and hear your goals and dreams, for these are worth more than a thousand words. The more senses that are stimulated, I believe, the greater the retention of knowledge, and the greater the impact on the subconscious mind. ‘Every cell in your body is totally aware of how you think and feel about yourself.’ dc Be affirmative, ‘...and as you maintain this attitude as true, regardless of all evidence to the contrary, you will get results.’ jm

Always be aware and know that the words and comments of others have no power to hurt, or distract you from achieving your goals, unless you let them. You have the choice to reject their thoughts or suggestions.

To do this it ‘... requires that you clear yourself each day of your emotional impacts. Just as you dispose of your physical body wastes and toxins, so, too, dispose of your emotional wastes and toxins by finishing emotionally unfinished business, by not going to bed in anger, by seeing that you do not feel contaminated emotionally, and by learning to work with and to honor your emotional currents of energy.’ jz ‘Forgive yourself and everyone else before you go to sleep, and the healing [ and changes in the subconscious mind ] will take place much more rapidly. Lull yourself to sleep every night with the idea of perfect health, [ improved performance ] and your subconscious, being your faithful servant will heal you.’ jm Prior to sleep ask your subconscious for a specific request. Do this regularly and it will happen.

Be aware, for in this game ignorance is not bliss. The subconscious does not ignore anything. Probably most, or all of our frustration is due to unfulfilled goals and / or desires. ‘If you dwell on [ or do not recognize ] obstacles, delays, and difficulties, your subconscious mind responds accordingly, and you are blocking your own good’. jm ‘All that we are is a result of what we have thought.’ em Much of your potential may be buried beneath false doubts and fears, sown by poor direction and instruction during early life. If you really want to improve you must wipe this tape clean and start afresh. The information and incidents that makes you what you are remains long after the source is forgotten.

A renewed awareness, that can be increased by some form of meditation, is needed. Most any form of meditation will greatly increase the odds for success. For with meditation comes an awareness that is made more possible and more probable when the conscious mind is encouraged not to time travel but to stay in the here and now ... with the body and the subconscious mind. You know how we get ‘lost in thought’, and later wonder why our date wasn’t a success! We all experience many such moments. Driving to work and not being able to recall several minutes of the journey. The body is working the controls, directed by the unconscious mind, but where is the conscious mind? ‘... literally out to lunch - and sadly it is often in a proverbial garbage heap of worries, fears, blame, and doubts.’ jb Sound familiar? A training run passed by almost unnoticed or appreciated because our conscious mind was still at work! It’s not possible to stop some level of thought except in very advanced levels of meditation, but it is possible to disengage your attention from thought. One way / method while running, is to focus instead on sensations of, and from the body, because the body is most certainly anchored in the ‘here and now’. Try simply by focusing on just one aspect of ‘form’. Feet ‘popping’ / cadence for example. Or try absorbing power from the sky, sun, stars through the top of your head, and energy from the earth and natural environment up through the soles of your feet, as you inhale. ‘I have the power’. Exhale all tension and pain, both mental and physical. Remember our running meditation / visualization?

Meditation induces a peaceful, non-judgmental state of mind/body that can not be reached / appreciated while the mind rushes around in turmoil. As with all life’s skills we have to work at it, but occasionally it happens naturally: after a run ... watching the ducks swimming ... listening to the geese overhead ... aware of recovering heart and breathing rate ... happy with the workout. Not dwelling on, but letting go of all the other possible distractions that could taint that moment. The mind takes ‘... a back seat to just being.’ jb

Imagine the happy ending or solution to your problem, feel the thrill of accomplishment, and what you imagine and feel will be accepted by your subconscious mind and bring it to pass.’ jm

Change your beliefs in a manner that facilitates rather than obstructs your training, and seek out people with similar beliefs. Change what you can and accept what you can’t. ‘The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.’ em To that end: ‘Put nothing in your mouth unless it strengthens your structure. ... Put nothing in your mind unless it strengthens your will’. mc

Better understanding the ‘minbo’, often brings us face to face with physical and mental, and, emotional and behavioral aspects of ourselves that we would much rather keep hidden from ourselves, and others. The problem is that by keeping them hidden, we also hid our greatest assets, strengths, beauty, and love. Confront this and we have power. Let us strip our outer image, and figuratively speaking, ‘Run Naked’.

Bibliography:
‘Minding the Body, Mending the Mind.’ Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.
‘Ageless Body, Timeless Mind.’ Deepak Chopra, MD
‘Optimum Sports Nutrition’. Dr. Michael Colgan.
‘Paradox of Healing.’ Dr. M. Greenwood & Dr. P. Nunn.
‘Deep Healing.’ Emmett E. Miller, MD.
‘The Power of Your Subconscious Mind’ Dr. Joseph Murphy.
‘The Mindbody Presciption.’ John E. Sarno, MD.
‘Spontaneous Healing.’ A Weil, MD.
‘Seat of the Soul.’ Gary Zukav.