I am not surprised to see a new study out which links
spirituality and health. For quite a
while, people have thought there was a connection between spirituality and
health. In fact for quite a long time, I
have assumed there are a variety of ways to talk about health. Normally, I think people mean physical
health. That is a given. If someone asks if you are healthy, they
typically mean physical. Or if I call in
“sick,” the boss is going to assume I have a fever, a cold or some other
physical malady.
But we all know there are ways we talk about mental
health. Everyone would assume health is
not limited to one’s physical state of being.
I can be perfectly healthy and not feel “well.” Ask anyone who has bouts of depression. He or she may be ok physically, but not at
all up to engaging life. I can be
physically in tip-top shape and not want to get out of the bed in the morning
because I feel so blue.
Finally, I am also convinced there is such a thing as
spiritual health. Doubtlessly, this is
the most contested of the three kinds of health---physical, mental and
spiritual. I know some folks would
dismiss the whole spiritual realm as so much bunk. But if I take it seriously, then I can be
spiritually healthy or spiritually not well.
Furthermore, I am convinced there is interconnection between
these three forms of health. It is
difficult to feel mentally well off if I am physically suffering. And if I am experiencing spiritual health
aches, then that probably affects my mental and physical well-being. Fiddle with one form of health and I am sure
you fiddle with the other two.
Now I return to the study that precipitated this
reflection. I was captivated by the
title of the little report on the study.
The title is: “The Biology of Kindness.”
The subtitle was just as compelling.
Speaking of kindness, the subtitle says; “How It Makes Us Happier and
Healthier.” “Sign me up,” I
thought! I want to be healthier and
happier. Who wouldn’t? You would have to be sick not to want to be
healthier and happier!
The biology part of the article focuses on the vagus
nerve. Unless you have been to medical
school or studied nursing, chances are you never heard of the vagus nerve. Even if you never heard of it, it is an
important feature of your body. It is a
very long nerve. It runs from the brain
down to the stomach. This nerve is
connected with speech, breathing, and the digestive system. For example, it is shown to be related to the
heartbeat. There may be some kind of
connection between people who become adept at meditation and the way that
affects the vagus nerve. A number of
studies indicate the relationship of this nerve and issues of health and
wellness.
And so I come to the study on the biology of kindness. One of the authors of that study, Barbara
Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology at U. of North Carolina says, “We’ve had a
lot of indirect clues that relationships are healing. What’s exciting about this study is that it
suggests that every (positive) interaction we have with people is a miniature
health tune-up.”
This is good news.
All I need is a positive interaction with someone to ensure good things
are happening to my vagus nerve and, in turn, causing healthy things to happen
for me. Of course, this is not going to
replace drugs. But it is an additional
way to take care of yourself…and perhaps give someone else a gift, too. Be nice, be healthy, enjoy life. That is a very simple recipe. But apparently, there is some biological
truth to the advice.
There was one more sentence in the study that is a great
take-away for me. The author said,
“Being a good friend, and being compassionate toward others, may be one of the
best ways to improve your own health.” I
think this is true; I certainly hope it is true. It is an easy thing to prescribe. Just think about it: your doctor prescribes
that you become a good friend. Your
doctor also tells you to be compassionate toward other people you meet each
day.
That should not be that difficult. And yet so many people cannot follow the
prescription. They prefer grumpiness to
grins. They opt for snarling to serendipity. Perhaps the way to look at it is to see
kindness and compassion as a prescription.
For three days or two weeks---whatever you think you can manage---you
“take your medicine.” Or in this case,
it is better to say, “you give your medicine.”
Resolve to be kind and compassionate. Resolve to do it, even if the other person
does not ask for it or deserve it.
Giving it won’t kill you. If the
study is correct, it may prevent an early death. And even if you don’t live longer, life will
be better. Who does not want to be
healthy till you die!
And what if the whole group around you opts for this advice? The community will begin a transformation
process that might lead to new and better things. Perhaps parties will break out. Perhaps people will feel loved and cared for
in new and profound ways. That sounds a
great deal like what the great spiritual teachers have been advising for
centuries. I am going to give it a
whirl.
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