The Mind and the Physical Body

The Mind and the Physical Body

Since the times of Plato and Aristotle, the argument of dualism and mutualism of the mind and body has been in existence. Dualism has been the driving force behind the existence of the mind/body problem and has been by far the majority view due largely to the influence of Descartes. In recent times, modern medicine has taken a shift towards mutualism. Outside stimuli, as perceived by the mind, affects the body either beneficially or adversely. While the body as an organism has the capacity to heal, evidence proves that the mind expedites recovery. The mind and body are one. Evidence of this mutualism exists in Divakaruni's "What the Body Knows." This story shows that the condition of the mind is a pertinent necessity in recovery of the physical person. - In the story Aparna gives birth to a son by cesarean section. She is mutilated in a sense; however, the pain is overpowered by the good in bringing life into the world. What turns into a healthy state of mind soon turns sour by experience. The pain continues and within a short period of time she ends up back in the hospital with complications. She awakes in the same room feeling the loss of her baby not being near but also losing to the pain. The multiples of negative stimuli have begun. Aparna spends a period of time being poked and prodded by the medical staff while they figure out what to do. She periodically hears the congenial claps and hurrahs as other women leave the ward. What was once a festive occasion turns negative in her perception. She feels like the medical staff is giving her a lot of lip service. Though all are perceptions in attitude, Aparna is too angry and upset to see any positive ou...

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... As Aparna progresses, Dr. Michaels begins to wean her with the reintroduction of her baby. Slowly her priorities begin to focus on her baby and her husband Umesh. With her recovery in progress, Aparna leaves with the claps and hurrahs from the nurses taking on a different more positive meaning. The mind and body had both healed. - - Alternative medicine has come into it's own in the last decade. People are realizing the mutual benefits that the mind has on the body. Professionals in the medical field are beginning to reinforce the mind body prescription as an addition to their traditional applications. They note that positive affects of the mind aid in recovery. Though the ideal is old to man, the practicality of using the mind body prescription with traditional medicine has proven to be a major asset; as in the case of Aparna.