Dementia: all in the mind?

Our state of mind is the key to our well-being as human beings. Our fears, anxieties and stresses come not from external events (though they may act as a trigger) but from how the mind interprets them, and also from the thoughts, memories and future anticipations that the mind creates. So it is that the mind is chattering constantly acting as a distraction and a disturbance, preventing us from appreciating what is happening in the immediate present because, literally, our thoughts are elsewhere.

We cannot realise our human and spiritual potential, we cannot live life easily and comfortably, we cannot have peace of mind and heart unless or until our mind is at rest. There is a role for the mind, of course - it is there for a purpose, which is to help when it is needed, working under the guidance of the soul to assist in decision-making and dealing with the practicalities of life, and also to facilitate our spiritual connection. If the activity of the mind is unhelpful, as it so often is, then the soul is overshadowed while the chatterbox mind dominates and we can become overwhelmed by the negativity, manifesting as fear and emotion, it creates.

This powerful, controlling mind can influence every aspect of our life, including our health, and I believe we can think ourselves into illness. For example, our self-doubt and sense of worthlessness, created and reinforced by the mind, can cause us to over-eat and then to become unhealthy. Worry and anxiety, always all in the mind, can cause depression. More people suffer from depression than is generally believed, because their mind is not at peace.

A new study, it seems, has proved that there is a link between the onset of dementia and depression, also diabetes which often is triggered by obesity. So, the role of the mind in matters of health is becoming more widely recognised, which is wonderful. The mind is the key to our well-being, at all levels of our being. However, an expert in the study speaking this morning spoke of the importance of keeping the mind active. I feel this is missing the point, for it is having too active a mind that causes our emotional problems. More important is to train the mind to be at rest, to cease its constant chattering, to enable us to have clarity and focus, purpose and peace.

There are a number of mindfulness classes and techniques available these days which can be very beneficial, many based on meditation. Won't it be wonderful when it is taught to all children at school from an early age? Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone had peace of mind and heart?