Hell is a place where nothing connects with nothing.
-T.S. Eliot, Introduction to Dante's Inferno.*
As our exploration of the mind continues, let me introduce Dr. Daniel Siegel** who we might say defines the mind poetically as the place where everything connects with everything.
The fields of psychiatry, psychology, and various branches of neuroscience study the mind, writes Siegel, but fail to have a definition of the mind.
Dr. Siegel, who received his medical degree from Harvard University, defines the mind scientifically as an emergent, self-organizing process that is both embodied and relational.
Siegel's proposal that the mind is embodied suggests he believes the mind resides in the brain; most scientists won't argue with this. However, the idea that our mental lives are the product of the brain is only part of the story.
It may help us comprehend this definition if we continue to ponder the word embodied. There are clusters of intelligence and sources of knowledge distributed throughout our bodies. Alternative medicine devotees would point to the brain in our gut or the wisdom of the heart.
It is fairly easy to comprehend the mind as a relational organ. We are largely who we are because of our interactions with other people.
Dr. Siegel sees the emergent process of the mind arising in a system of energy and information flow which passes through the body but isn't restricted to the body. Mind is right now in us and between us. Do you suppose this is what Christians call the Holy Spirit?
If you want to experiment exploring the mystery of the mind, try this: when you are in a crowd, look across the room and stare at the back of some one's head. Beam positive thoughts to them. See how long it takes for them to turn around with a questioning look on their face.
Or focus your thoughts on someone who is suffering and picture the person, yourself, and the space between filled with positive energy and love.
Let me know what you discover.
As always, thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
*Cited in Imagine: How Creativity Works, Jonah Lehrer (2012).
**Used with permission from NICABM, personal correspondence, www.nicabm.com.
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