Biopsychology (Glands, Hormones and the Mind) ______________________________________ What is Biopsychology? It's the science of the relationship between the glands, hormones and the mind. The glands are the link between the body and mind. They secrete the hormones that affect the way we feel. So they determine the emotions, based on signals from the mind. For example, we all know when we feel a fright in the gut. That's because the mind gives the "fright" signal to the adrenal glands at the level of the stomach. It can also work the other way as well: the glands also affect the mind. Here are some examples: * Did you know that when the sex glands develop, we get the sense of duty and responsibility? That's why children don't have such a good sense of responsibility. * The prostrate and other glands in the navel area develop around the age of five. That gives the feeling of shyness. Of course you've noticed that children under five are not ashamed to run around naked. If there's an over-secretion of hormones from this area, it causes mental depression. An under-secretion causes increased fear. * We feel love in the heart through subtle glands in the chest. Normally that love is for our close family and friends, especially children, but it can be expanded to universal love. * The thyroid gland (at the throat) controls the metabolism of the whole body. It also gives the feeling of self-reliance. The parathyroids (around the thyroid) cause intellectuality and rationality. * The pituitary gland - in the centre of the brain - controls the mind. By the pituitary gland it is the conscious, subconscious and unconscious portions of your mind that are controlled (the conscious and sub-conscious mind directly and the unconscious mind indirectly) - it is the seat of the mind, the place where the mind dwells. The pituitary gland is a small oval endocrine gland that lies at the base of the brain . Physiologically, the pituitary is divided into two distinct lobes that arise from different embryological sources: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The posterior lobe is structurally continuous with the hypothalamus of the brain. The hypothalamus controls almost all secretions of the pituitary. But above the factor of mind there is the causal factor. * The pineal gland - is actually associated with the top of the brain - it is the real controller (but physically located below the top). All the propensities (1000) of the human mind are ultimately controlled by this pineal gland. This is because the link to the non-attributional Supreme Consciousness is located at the pineal plexus, ten fingers above the pituitary plexus (the location of mind). Here it should be noted that the mind is a powerful controlling entity, yet it is only located in the pituitary plexus. The seat of Cosmic Consciousness, beyond the mind, is located ten fingers above the seat of mind at the pineal plexus. The lower glands of the human body are controlled by the higher glands. So if the pituitary gland is well-developed, the lower glands will be equally well-developed and well-regulated. However, the pineal gland is the primary controller of all the other glands. The human body possesses fifty main glands, each having its own impact on the psychic sphere. Every gland works both internally and externally as well as in ten directions (in a general sense). That is,. 50 x 2 x 10 = 1000. That is why the pineal gland is the controller of one thousand mental propensities. The pineal gland is activated when we meditate. The hormone melatonin, which it secretes, gives the feeling of bliss - infinite happiness. It is a small organ about the size of a pea situated in the brain. You should note that there is a difference between the focal point - the point of ideation for a cakra (plexus) - and the glands associated with that cakra. The pineal gland is not the sahasrara cakra (7th psychic plexus), just as the adrenals are not the third cakra (plexus). The adrenals are controlled by the manipura cakra (3rd psychic plexus), but the cakra is something you can never find with a surgeon's blade. It is purely psychic. This does not mean it does not exist however. Long considered vestigial in humans, the structure, which is also called the pineal body or the epiphysis, is present in most vertebrates. It is sensitive to different levels of light and is essential to the functioning of an animal's biological clock. In many animals, including humans, the pineal gland synthesizes a hormone called melatonin in periods of darkness. Melatonin synthesis is halted when light hits the retina of the eye, sending impulses to the gland via the optic nerve. Besides influencing daily or circadian rhythms such as those of as sleep and temperature, the pineal gland and melatonin appear to direct annual rhythms and seasonal changes in animals. The pineal gland and melatonin are now being studied for their roles in sleep, reproduction and aging . Continue your meditation to feel that bliss _______________________________ You unlock the real potential of meditation and yoga when you adopt it. This means living yoga; practicing meditation every day. It means applying the wisdom to everyday life and to live a sentient lifestyle, that is, with awareness of the inner meaning of meditation. All aspects of life are affected: how you should eat, how you should sleep, ideation at work, relationship with others and so on. Conscious and skilful living doesn't mean you need to be a superstar to practice such a lifestyle. All you need is sincerity and application of some degree of discipline. Make any adjustments in a systematic way and view changes as positive. Effort in life is essential to spiritual discipline and one's concern with a healthy, wholesome, functional, and spiritual environment. Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, in the second half of the 20th century, once asked: Now, the question may arise: is not the effort of meditation a mental occupation? His answer was: No, it is not, for a mental occupation is concerned with the doer I or ego, with the effort to attain for that ego. But the effort of meditation (deep / divine contemplation) is the effort to see beyond the small ego and to see the Oneness of all things - including your mind within the Whole - so we cannot call this an ordinary desire. Meditation is not a mental propensity, it is the fullest expression of one's Self. Anandamurti also asked: What is the science of spirituality (spiritual practice)? To this the answer was: The process of transforming basic inclinations towards a higher consciousness. This is known as the science of spiritual practice. The spiritual practice which liberates the aspirant from dullness or animality and expands one's self is spiritual practice. Spiritual practice needs a scientific approach. Spiritual practice means a practice for expansion, and this expansion is nothing but a liberation from the bondage of all sorts of dullness. Irrespective of caste, creed or religion, one who aspires for spiritual expansion, or does something concrete, is a spiritual aspirant. Spirituality and spiritual science in itself is neither a religion nor an "ism". It is the fundamental path and psycho-spiritual approach. So keep going. It is also good to see that a number of people have now been taught their own personal meditation technique. Dharma Songs for Inspiration --------------------- What follows is one of the most ancient verses written (being over 10,000 years old and originally orally transmitted across generations) and so is given some credence in the yogic tradition as the first piece of writing that recognises the subtle qualities of human life and the spirit of collective endeavour. For that reason it is often sung together before collective meditation. SAMGACCHADHVAM SAMVADADHVAM SAM VOMANAMSI JANATAM DEVABHAGAM YATHA PURVE SAMJANANA UPASATE SAMANII VA AKUTI SAMANA HRDAYANI VAH SAMANAM ASTU VO MANO YATHA VAH SUSAHA SATI Let us move together, let us sing together, Let us come to know our minds together. Let us share like sages of the past That all people together may enjoy the universe. Unite our intention, Let our hearts be inseparable. Our mind is as one mind, As we, to truly know one another, become one. Music and spirituality --------------------- In any culture music and spirituality are deeply linked and entwined. In fact all arts in the real aesthetic sense are closely connected to spiritual expression in the mundane and supramundane world. Other songs for inspiration, some from traditional songs, are: * Simple Gifts Ti's a gift to be simple, ti's a gift to be free Ti's a gift to come round where you want to be And when you find yourself in the place just right You will be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained To bow and bend we shall not be ashamed To turn and to turn it will be a delight Till by turning and turning we come out right. * Higher than the mountain peaks You're higher than the mountain peak And you're deeper than the deepest sea And your love is everywhere In the mountains and in the air. Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Nam Kevalam. And your fragrance is like perfume And your beauty like a rose in bloom And your touch will lift us high And your sweetness will make us cry. Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Nam Kevalam * Love is the Ocean Love is the Ocean Love is the Ocean, I am once with Thee Once a tiny lake, but now a mighty Sea Oh love I am one with Thee. Peace is the ocean ... (Joy, etc.) * Pure Light Within May the long time sun shine upon you all love surround you and the pure light within you guide your way home. * May the Love We're Sharing May the love we're sharing spread its wings Fly across the Earth and bring new joy to every soul that is alive. May the blessings of you grace my Lord Shine on everyone and may we all see the light within - within, within.