Mind-Body Connection

We are mental beings, in a physical body, in a physical world.

The mind is mental and is subjective. The body is physical and is objective. At some point they

intersect. Due to our human nature, we happen to have both. To some degree, the two are

tethered together, like two birds of a feather (am I rapping?).

So how does this happen? How does the abstract, subjective, emotional, non-material world

intersect with the concrete, objective, factual, material world? In human form, here is how:

There is a chain link of interaction, starting on either end of the spectrum. Within this spectrum

are 5 main factors that interact up and down the chain.

Physical

Level 1: Environment: The physical world. Nothing mental about it. Only physical matter.

Physical nature. Everything on the Periodic Table of Elements.

Level 2: Physical Body: Receptors. This is humans’ first interaction with the physical world, and

happens on a physical level. Still physical to physical. We feel pain, we feel heat, we feel cold,

we feel texture of surfaces, we see the environment, we taste food, etc.

Level 3: Physical Body: Neuromodulators. Hormones and neurotransmitters. Still physical

interaction, but now within the body. Our pain and chemo-receptors communicate with our

nervous system electrically, and then hormones and neurotransmitters are released

accordingly. This is done in order to regulate the internal state and prepare the body for action.

Here we understand ourselves as animals; the desire to survive. No intrinsic desire to strive or

improve, other than the safety of survival. Improve the environment, improve chances of

survival. Still physical. Direct feedback loop between external environment and internal

physical body.

Intersection: Physical Meets Mental

Mental

Level 4: Mental mind: Emotions. Neuromodulators and hormones communicate with the brain

and create emotions to synthesize the connection between mental and physical. The feedback

loop now connects from the physical world into the mental world. Still, the consequences

connect largely based on cause and effect. Neurotransmitter A is released, feeling X is felt

(more nuanced than this). However, the connection still has little to do with free will choice.

Level 5: Thoughts. Pre-frontal cortex. Rational thinking, critical thinking, logical thinking,

abstract thought, creating, problem solving. This is the essence of humanity. Our gift is a

developed frontal lobe. No other animal has it (imagine if lions could build sky skrapers… we’d

be screwed). The goal is to master this level because it allows us to have free will. It allows us

to question things. It allows us to believe without seeing. It allows us to believe in ourselves

even when the raw evidence would suggest we give up. Control your thoughts, control your

life.

Summary: The goal is to control level 5. The problem that we face is we are, to some degree,

always going to be chained to our physiology, which affects our ability to control level 5. So the

best thing we can do for our physical and mental well-being or fulfillment, is to take care of the

first 4 levels. Otherwise, our physiology will sabotage our psychology. This is why we

emphasize creating a good environment for ourselves (Level 1), finding systems of physical

adaptability and antifragility that regulate the body such as training, sleep, breathwork,

nutrition, etc. (Level 2 and Level 3), and accept/process our emotions (Level 4). Only then will

our psychology be free (mostly) from our physiology to make strong choices. The two are

interconnected, thus each can play a role on the other.

We are mental beings, in a physical body, in a physical world. Once you see it, you can’t un-see

it.

- Austin Hanson 

MindStrong Mental Performance Coach