Why are we obsessed with our bodies
But terrified of our minds...
Are we our bodies, or are we our minds? This question has been a central philosophical conundrum for centuries, with different schools of thought and spiritual traditions offering varying perspectives. Some emphasise the primacy of the mind or consciousness (idealism), while others argue that only physical matter, including the brain, is truly real (materialism). Still, others propose that mind and body are fundamentally inseparable aspects of a unified whole (monism).
This whole mind-body split, also known as dualism, traces its roots back to the ancient Greeks, particularly with the philosopher Plato. He proposed the idea that the immortal soul and the mortal body are distinct entities. The soul, according to Plato, was superior, and the body was just a physical vessel for it. In this way, the intellectual and spiritual realm was valued over the physical realm. Kind of cute, Plato. I like him 😍
However, the most significant figure in mind-body dualism is arguably René Descartes, a 17th-century French philosopher with funky hair (as per the stamp below), often considered the father of modern philosophy. Descartes proposed that the mind (res cogitans, the thinking thing) and body (res extensa, the extended thing) are two completely different types of substances and can exist independently of each other. This came to be known as Cartesian dualism and had a profound influence on the development of modern Western philosophy and science. In fact, I wouldn’t have even thought of the title for this post: “Why are we obsessed with our bodies (but terrified of our minds)?” if it wasn’t because of Descartes and his philosophical influence, which is still strong today.
Cartesian dualism and mental health
This mind-body split may sound like something totally theoretical, so why do you even need to know about it? Well, because it has had a huge impact on the development of mental health science and practice. On the one hand, it has led to the advancement of medical treatments for mental health conditions by encouraging the view that mental health conditions have physical (biological or neurological) causes that can potentially be treated with medication. This has contributed to the development of psychiatric medications and biological psychiatry. These both aim to bring the person who’s experiencing mental illness to a state that’s closer to what is considered “healthy”. I put “healthy” in quotes because when it comes to certain conditions, this model pathologises them, implying that people need to be cured. Think about ADHD and autism, for example. Another discussion for another day.
On the other hand, Cartesian dualism has also been criticised within the mental health field. Seeing the mind as a separate entity from the body can lead to a neglect of the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of mental health and illness, as it can imply that these aspects are “less real” or less important than biological aspects like your serotonin or dopamine levels. It can encourage a reductionist view of mental health conditions as merely biological or neurological disorders, ignoring the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health. So that’s why Cartesian dualism is important. Because it’s pretty incredible to think that it’s been 386 years since Descartes said: "I think, therefore I am" in his work "Discourse on the Method" (published in 1637!), and we haven’t got over ourselves yet… Talk about going at a snail’s pace here! 🐌
For me, potentially the worst thing about Cartesian dualism is the fact that I feel contributes to the stigma and misunderstanding associated with mental health conditions. If the mind and body are seen as separate, doesn’t that open the possibility that some people may view mental health conditions as being “all in the mind” and not as “real” illnesses? This, of course, is a rhetorical question, and this way of thinking can be incredibly frustrating for anyone living with a mental health condition, as it can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding from those around us. No one can see your depression or your anxiety, so they assume you’re OK.
Fortunately, in recent years there has been a shift towards more integrative and holistic views in mental health theory and practice. Biopsychosocial models, which consider biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health, have gained popularity. These models challenge Cartesian dualism and underscore the interconnectedness of mind and body in health and illness.
Let me hear your body talk
While the mind-body dualism has roots in antiquity, the emphasis on the body or physical appearance can be attributed to various social and cultural factors throughout history. For example, the Renaissance period, with its focus on humanism and the physical body (as seen in the art of the time), may have played a part in this shift. However, the current emphasis on physical appearance could also be a product of contemporary culture and media influences, promoting unattainable body ideals and - frankly - some utterly ridiculous health trends.
Has the balance tipped too far towards the physical, neglecting the equally important aspects of the mind, soul, or inner life? I reckon the answer is yes. We love to talk about molecules and pathways because we see them as “hard science”, and we downplay the importance of our emotional health, our intellectual life, and spiritual wellness. And I don’t think I’m out on a limb here. I get the feeling from many of you reading this that there is a growing sentiment in modern society, a need for holistic wellness, an approach that values and integrates both our physical and our mental/emotional/spiritual health. With this approach, caring for one's physical health doesn't exclude paying attention to one's inner life. Rather, the two are seen as interconnected and both crucial for overall wellbeing, as two sides of the same coin.
Terrified by what we may find inside our minds
Funny how we’re happy to learn about our body with blood tests, microbiome tests, x-rays and MRI scans. It’s almost like the more we know, the better. On the flip side, most people experience a deep fear of exploring their minds. Why might this be, you think?
Are you scared of the unknown? Our minds are complex, and a lot remains unknown even to science. This vast uncharted territory can be intimidating to delve into, especially for someone who may have a traumatic past. Goodness only knows what might be hidden in there, right?
Are you fearful of negative thoughts and emotions? I know from my own experience how the mind can store painful memories, negative emotions, and unsettling thoughts, sometimes brushing them under the carpet so you can’t even find them. Until one day, you suddenly do. Would you prefer to avoid these memories, or would you rather confront them?
Are you fearful of change? Looking within and exploring the self can lead to change, and there’s no doubt about the fact that change can be unsettling and even scary. We fear what this change might mean for our identity, our relationships, and our future, and sometimes the sheer thought of it is enough to paralyse us, so we go into “freeze mode”. I’ll cover this in a separate post.
Are you scared of losing control? The mind can sometimes feel like a chaotic, uncontrollable space. This fear of losing control over our thoughts and emotions can deter us from introspection. Or perhaps you are addicted to control, as I discussed previously…
Are you fearful of self-judgment? Inside us all, there is a fear that we might not like what we find when we look into our minds, and it’s absolutely fine to accept it. You may be scared that you might judge yourself harshly for your thoughts and feelings, and that’s also fine. It’s called human nature.
Through the lens of wabi-sabi, however, every one of these fears can be faced and even embraced. Wabi-sabi teaches us to accept imperfection, incompleteness, and impermanence. It invites us to see beauty in the flawed and transient nature of our thoughts and emotions, all of which carry an important message. This can help us approach the exploration of our minds with curiosity, compassion, and acceptance rather than fear.
A wabi-sabi perspective on the mind-body split
Looking at the mind-body split through the lens of wabi-sabi, the artificial separation between body and mind might be viewed as a sort of imposed “imperfection” or “incompleteness”, a kind of reflection of our human tendency to categorise and compartmentalise our experience of the world. However, wabi-sabi teaches acceptance and appreciation of imperfection and incompleteness as inherent facets of existence. It encourages us to embrace the imperfect, transient, and incomplete nature of life and find beauty and peace within it. On that basis, a wabi-sabi approach to solving the mind-body body-mind dichotomy is to view it not as a problem to be solved but as a reflection of the beautiful complexity of human existence. That reflection doesn't strictly fall into any one single view, e.g. dualism, materialism, or monism. Instead, it encourages a more holistic understanding of existence that encompasses all of these views. In a way, wabi-sabi is like the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” of philosophy. It doesn’t get stuck in the small detail, which suits my ADHD brain just fine 😂
Wabi-sabi can be a lens to appreciate our complex, multidimensional nature - both our tangible physicality and our intangible thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences. It can help us embrace ambiguity and accept that we may never fully understand the intricate interplay between our bodies and minds. It also underscores the impermanence of both. Our bodies age and change, just as our minds and personalities evolve over time. And that makes us even more charming.
To cut a long story short, from a wabi-sabi perspective, we are both our bodies and our minds. They are two interconnected aspects of our being, each imperfect and incomplete in its own way, yet together forming the beautifully flawed, constantly evolving whole that is our self.
By the way, this is the first post in a series entitled “Metaphysical Musings by Dr Miguel”, which I hope you’ve enjoyed. Do pop me a message below this post, or share on Chat or on Notes and let me know what you think. And please feel free to share with your networks. Thank you ❤️
I love your point about how we obsess over body metrics but fear looking in to our minds. So true. I feel as though I’ve done a lot of inner work in the last few years as there’s so much great content to read and learn from but it’s actually much harder to measure progress with this than say measuring body weight or cholesterol! There’s a just general awareness that I can look at things differently now compared to a few years ago but it’s always a work in progress!
Really enjoyed this! And didn’t know the meaning behind wabi-sabi (in my mind I thought you might have been alluding to wasabi brain as in spicy/peppery thoughts which is also kind of cool!). Fascinating the profound influence of Descartes today - perhaps why nutritional psychiatry is such a new field. Felice Jacka from what I understand really struggled to recruit participants for SMILES because psychiatrists/psychologists didn’t believe food could be an adjunct tool in depression at the time