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MIND AND BODY

Or

Mental States and Physical Conditions

by

WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON







L. N. Fowler & Company
7, Imperial Arcade, Ludgate Circus
London, E. C., England

1910
The Progress Company
Chicago, Ill.

Copyright, 1910
By
The Progress Company

P. F. Pettibone & Co.
Printers and Bindors
Chicago




CONTENTS


        Foreword                                9

     I. The Subconscious Mind                  15

    II. The Sympathetic System                 29

   III. The Cell-Minds                         39

    IV. The Mental Basis of Cure               58

     V. The History of <DW43>-Therapy          84

    VI. Faith Cures                           115

   VII. The Power of the Imagination          135

  VIII. Belief and Suggestion                 155

    IX. <DW43>-Therapeutic Methods            173

     X. The Reaction of the Physical          196




FOREWORD


Mind and Body--Mental States and Physical Conditions! To the mind
of those who have contented themselves with merely the superficial
aspects of things, these two things--mind and body; and mental states
and physical conditions--seem to be as far apart as the two poles; seem
to be opposites and contradictories impossible of reconciliation.
But to those who have penetrated beneath the surface of things,
these two apparent opposites are seen to be so closely related and
inter-related--so blended and mingled together in manifestation--that it
is practically impossible to scientifically determine where the one
leaves off and the other begins. And so constant and close is their
mutual action and reaction, that it often becomes impossible to state
positively _which_ is the cause and which the effect.

In the first place, Science now informs us that in all living
substance, from cell to mammoth, there is and must be Mind. There
can be no Life without Mind. Mind, indeed, is held to be the very
"livingness" of Life--the greater the degree of manifestation of Mind,
the higher the degree of Life. Moreover, the New Psychology informs
us that upon the activities of the Subconscious Mind depend all the
processes of physical life--that the Subconscious Mind is the essence
of what was formerly called the Vital Force--and is embodied in every
cell, cell-group or organ of the body. And, that this Subconscious Mind
is amenable to suggestion, good and evil, from the conscious mind of
its owner, as well as from outside. When the subject of the influence
of Mental States upon Physical Conditions is studied, one sees that
the Physical Condition is merely the reflection of the Mental State,
and the problem seems to be solved, the mystery of Health and Disease
solved. But in this, as in everything else, there is seen to be an
opposing phase--the other side of the shield. Let us look at the other
side of the question:

Just as we find that wherever there is living substance there is Mind,
so do we find that we are unable to intelligently consider Mind unless
as _embodied_ in living substance. The idea of Mind, independent of
its substantial embodiment, becomes a mere abstraction impossible
of mental imaging--something like color independent of the 
substance, or light without the illuminated substance. And just as we
find that Mental States influence Physical Conditions, so do we find
that Physical Conditions influence Mental States. And, so the problem
of Life, Health and Disease once more loses its simplicity, and the
mystery again deepens. The deeper we dig into the subject, the more do
we become impressed with the idea of the universal principle of Action
and Reaction so apparent in all phenomena. The Mind acts upon the Body;
the Body reacts upon the Mind; cause and effect become confused; the
reasoning becomes circular--like a ring it has no beginning, no end; its
beginning may be any place we may prefer, its ending likewise.

The only reconciliation is to be found in the fundamental working
hypothesis which holds that both Mind and Body--both Mental States and
Physical Conditions--are _the two aspects of something greater than
either--the opposing poles of the same Reality_. The radical Materialist
asserts that the Body is the only reality, and that Mind is merely
its "by-product." The Mentalist asserts that the Mind is the only
reality, and that the Body is merely its grosser form of manifestation.
The unprejudiced philosopher is apt to stand aside and say: "You are
both right, yet both wrong--each is stating the truth, but only the
half-truth." With the working hypothesis that Mind and Body are but
varying aspects of the Truth--that Mind is the inner essence of the
Body, and Body the outward manifestation of the Mind--we find ourselves
on safe ground.

We mention this fundamental principle here, for in the body of this
book we shall not invade the province of metaphysics or philosophy,
but shall hold ourselves firmly to our own field, that of psychology.
Of course, the very nature of the subject renders it necessary that
we consider the influence of psychology upon physiology, but we have
remembered that this book belongs to the general subject of the New
Psychology, and we have accordingly emphasized the psychological side
of the subject. But the same material could have been used by a writer
upon physiology, by changing the emphasis from the psychological phase
to the physiological.

We have written this book to reach not only those who refuse to
see the wonderful influence of the Mental States over the Physical
Conditions, but also for our "metaphysical" friends who have become
so enamored with the power of the Mind that they practically ignore
the existence of the Body, indeed, in some cases, actually denying the
existence of the latter. We believe that there is a sane middle-ground
in "metaphysical healing," as there is in the material treatment
of disease. In this case, not only does Truth lie between the two
extremes, but it is composed of the blending and assimilation of the
two opposing ideas and theories. But, even if the reader does not fully
agree with us in our general theories and conclusions, he will find
within the covers of this book a mass of _facts_ which he may use in
building up a new theory of his own. And, after all, what are theories
but the threads upon which are strung the beads of _facts_--if our
string does not meet with your approval, break it and string the beads
of fact upon a thread of your own. Theories come, and theories go--but
_facts_ remain.




CHAPTER I

THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND


In order to understand the nature of the influence of the mind upon
the body--the effect of mental states upon physical functions--we must
know something of that wonderful field of mental activity which in the
New Psychology is known as "The Subconscious Mind," and which by some
writers has been styled the "Subjective Mind;" the "Involuntary Mind;"
the "Subliminal Mind;" the "Unconscious Mind," etc., the difference in
names arising because of the comparative newness of the investigation
and classification.

Among the various functions of the Subconscious Mind, one of the
most important is that of the charge and control of the involuntary
activities and functions of the human body through the agency of the
sympathetic nervous system, the cells, and cell-groups. As all students
of physiology know, the greater part of the activities of the body
are involuntary--that is, are independent (or partly so) of the control
of the conscious will. As Dr. Schofield says: "The unconscious mind,
in addition to the three qualities which it shares in common with the
conscious--_viz._, will, intellect and emotion--has undoubtedly another
very important one--nutrition, or the general maintenance of the body."
And as Hudson states: "The subjective mind has absolute control of the
functions, conditions and sensations of the body." Notwithstanding the
dispute which is still raging concerning _what_ the Subconscious mind
_is_, the authorities all agree upon the fact that, whatever else it
may be, it may be considered as that phase, aspect, part, or field
of the mind which has charge and control of the greater part of the
physical functioning of the body.

Von Hartmann says: "The explanation that unconscious psychical activity
itself appropriately forms and maintains the body has not only nothing
to be said against it, but has all possible analogies from the most
different departments of physical and animal life in its favor,
and appears to be as scientifically certain as is possible in the
inferences from effect to cause." Maudsley says: "The connection of
mind and body is such that a given state of mind tends to echo itself
at once in the body." Carpenter says: "If a psychosis or mental
state is produced by a neurosis or material nerve state, as pain by
a prick, so also is a neurosis produced by a psychosis. That mental
antecedents call forth physical consequents is just as certain as that
physical antecedents call forth mental consequents." Tuke says: "Mind,
through sensory, motor, vaso-motor and trophic nerves, causes changes
in sensation, muscular contraction, nutrition and secretion.... If
the brain is an outgrowth from a body corpuscle and is in immediate
relation with the structures and tissues that preceded it, then, though
these continue to have their own action, the brain must be expected
to act upon the muscular tissue, the organic functions and upon the
nervous system itself."

Von Hartmann also says: "In willing any conscious act, the unconscious
will is evoked to institute means to bring about the effect. Thus,
if I will a stronger salivary secretion, the conscious willing of
this effect excites the unconscious will to institute the necessary
means. Mothers are said to be able to provide through the will a more
copious secretion, if the sight of the child arouses in them the will
to suckle. There are people who perspire voluntarily. I now possess the
power of instantaneously reducing the severest hiccoughs to silence
by my own will, while it was formerly a source of great inconvenience
to me.... An irritation to cough, which has no mechanical cause, may
be permanently suppressed by the will. I believe we might possess a
far greater voluntary power over our bodily functions if we were only
accustomed from childhood to institute experiments and to practice
ourselves therein.... We have arrived at the conclusion that every
action of the mind on the body, without exception, is only possible
by means of an unconscious will; that such an unconscious will can be
called forth partly by means of a conscious will, partly also through
the conscious idea of the effect, without conscions will, and even in
opposition to the conscious will."

Henry Wood says of the Subconscious Mind: "It acts automatically
upon the physical organism. It cognizes external facts, conditions,
limitations, and even contagions, quite independent of its active
counterpart. One may, therefore, 'take' a disease and be unaware of
any exposure. The subconsciousness has been unwittingly trained to
fear, and accept it; and it is this quality, rather than the mere inert
matter of the body, that succumbs. Matter is never the actor, but is
always acted upon. This silent, mental partner, in operation, seems
to be a living, thinking personality, conducting affairs on its own
account. It is a compound of almost unimaginable variety, including
wisdom and foolishness, logic and nonsense, and yet having a working
unitary economy. It is a hidden force to be dealt with and educated,
for it is often found insubordinate and unruly. It refuses co-operation
with its lesser but more active and wiser counterpart. It is very
'set' in its views, and only changes its qualities and opinions by
slow degrees. But, like a pair of horses, not until these two mental
factors can be trained together can there be harmony and efficiency."

In order to understand the important part played in the physical
economy by the Subconscious Mind, it is only necessary to understand
the various processes of the human system which are out of the ordinary
field of the voluntary or conscious mind. We then realize that the
entire process of nutrition, including digestion, assimilation, etc.,
the processes of elimination, the processes of circulation, the
processes of growth, in fact the entire processes manifested in the
work of the cells, cell-groups, ganglia, physical organs, etc., are
in charge of and controlled by the Subconscious Mind. Our food is
digested and transformed into the nourishing substances of the blood;
then carried through the arteries to all parts of the body, where it is
absorbed by the cells and used to replace the worn-out material, the
latter then being carried back through the veins to the lungs where the
waste matter is burned up, and the balance again sent on its journey
through the arteries re-charged with the life-giving oxygen. All of
these processes, and many others of almost equal importance, are out
of the field of the conscious or voluntary mind, and are governed by
the Subconscious Mind. As we shall see when we consider the Sympathetic
Nervous System, the greater part of the body is dominated by the
Subconscious Mind, and that the welfare of the major physical functions
depends entirely, or almost so, upon this great area or field of the
mind.

The best authorities now generally agree that there is no part of
the body which may be considered as devoid of mind. The Subconscious
Mind is not confined to the brain, or even the greater plexuses of
the nervous system, but extends to all parts of the body, to every
nerve, muscle, and even to every cell and cell-group of the body.
The functions and processes of the body are no longer considered as
purely mechanical, or chemical, but are now seen to be the result of
mental action of some kind or degree. Therefore, in considering the
Subconscious Mind, one must not think of it as resident in the brain
alone, but rather as being _distributed over the entire physical
body_. There is mind in every cell, every organ, every muscle, every
nerve--in every part of the body.

The importance of the above statements regarding the power and
importance of the Subconscious Mind may be realized when one remembers
the dictum of the New Psychology, to wit: _The Subconscious Mind is
amenable to Suggestion_. When it is realized that this great controller
of the physical organism is so constituted that it accepts as truth
the suggestions from the conscious mind of its owner, as well as
those emanating from the conscious minds of other people, it may be
understood why Faith, Belief, and Expectant Attention manifest such
marked effects upon the physical body and the general health, for
good or for evil, as indicated in the preceding chapters. All of the
many instances and examples recited in the preceding chapters may be
understood when it is realized that the Subconscious Mind, which is in
control of the physical functions and vital processes, will accept the
suggestions from the conscious mind of its owner, and also suggestions
from outside which the conscious mind of its owner allows to pass down
to it. If, as Henry Wood has said in the paragraph previously quoted,
it "acts automatically upon the physical organism," and "seems to be a
living, thinking personality, conducting affairs on its own account,"
and at the same time, _accepts and 'takes on' suggested conditions_,
it may be readily understood how the wonderful and almost incredible
statements of the authorities mentioned in the preceding chapters have
had real and substantial basis in truth.

This understanding of the part played by the Subjective Mind in
controlling and affecting physical conditions and activities, together
with its suggestible qualities and nature, gives us a key to the
whole question of the "Why?" of Mental Healing. Suggestion is the
connecting link between Mind and Body, and an understanding of its
laws and principles enables one to see the moving cause of the strange
phenomena of the Faith Cures, under whatever name they may pass, and
under whatever guise they may present themselves. "Suggestion" is the
explanation offered by the New Psychology for the almost miraculous
phenomena which other schools seek to explain upon some hypothesis
based either upon religious beliefs, or upon some metaphysical or
philosophical doctrine. The New Psychology holds that it is not
necessary to go outside of the realms of psychology and physiology in
studying Mental Healing or <DW43>-Therapy; and that the theories of
the semi-religious and metaphysical cults are merely strange guises or
masks which serve to conceal the real operative principle of cure.

The following quotation from Dr. Schofield will serve to call the
attention to the important part played by the Subconscious Mind in
the physical activities, a fact which is not generally recognized:
"It has often been a mystery how the body thrives so well with so
little oversight or care on the part of its owner. No machine could
be constructed, nor could any combination of solids or liquids in
organic compounds, regulate, control, counteract, help, hinder or
arrange for the continual succession of differing events, foods,
surroundings and conditions which are constantly affecting the body.
And yet, in the midst of this ever-changing and varying succession of
influences, the body holds on its course of growth, health, nutrition
and self-maintenance with the most marvelous constancy. We perceive, of
course, clearly, that the best of qualities--regulation, control, etc.,
etc.--are all mental qualities, and at the same time we are equally
clear that by no self-examination can we say we consciously exercise
any of these mental powers over the organic processes of our bodies.
One would think, then, that the conclusion is sufficiently simple and
obvious--that they must be used unconsciously; in other words, it is,
and can be nothing else than _unconscious mental powers_ that control,
guide and govern the functions and organs of the body.

"Our ordinary text-books on physiology give but little idea of what I
may call the intelligence that presides over the various systems of the
body, showing itself in the bones, as we have seen, in distributing
the available but insufficient amount of lime salts in disease; not
equally, but for the protection of the most vital parts, leaving
those of lesser value disproportionally deficient. In the muscular
system nearly all contractions are involuntary. Even in the voluntary
(so-called) muscles, the most we can do is to will results. We do
not will the contractions that carry out these results. Muscles,
striped and unstriped, are ceaselessly acting without the slightest
consciousness in maintaining the balance of the body, the expression
of the face, the general attributes corresponding to mental states,
the carrying on of digestion and other processes with a purposiveness,
and adaptation of means to new ends and new conditions, ceaselessly
arising, that are beyond all material mechanism. Consider, for
instance, the marvelous increase of smooth muscle in the uterus at
term, and also its no less marvelous subsequent involution; observe,
too, the compensating muscular increase of a damaged heart until the
balance