If we were searching for a subject to generate healthy controversy and differences of opinion, this would not have been the topic to pick. All were in agreement that our state of mind has a tremendous influence on the health of the body, and vice versa. Several, if not all, participants related instances where this was the case.
What was missing, of course, was any concept of how this phenomenon comes about. That it does so was without question in our minds, but the mechanism remains unknown. We heard examples of where an understanding of the pain's cause led to its disappearance. Likewise, a severe and prolonged depression lead to cancer, which in turn led to a spiritual journey resulting in current physical and mental health. It was suggested that almost every disease has an emotional component, although some few come about regardless.
Parts of our discussion led into considering nature versus nurture, the stigma of mental illness, the meaning of pain and how physical and mental outlooks affect relationships. All of these may be good topics for future discussions.
