Back at the beginning of December 2023, Leah wrote a blog about superstitions, which triggered lots of recollections of rhymes and sayings that we grew up with – oral tradition in our modern age - who’d have thought it? There was conversation about how some of these sayings might give us a sense of control over events, such as the common sense not walking under a ladder, or indeed tripping over on paving cracks. At the same time, “breaking” a rule would feel dangerous to some; the power of suggestion then creates the expected bad luck, and reinforces the “rule”. Then consider the interesting interplay of luck and chance, how external events and internal thoughts can influence each other – not for nothing is it called the power of the mind. Those of us who live with mental health problems are very aware of this power.

An example is the placebo effect – when a neutral substance can create a positive effect on symptoms. The placebo effect has been documented in animals, so maybe it’s associated with the act of “treating”, somehow activating healing? There can also be a “nocebo” effect too, where unpleasant side effects can also result from neutral substances. None of this is straightforward, and when in the realm of what people believe, it’s wise to tread carefully. Which brings me to the final thread of that blog, where Bailey and Ruth both reported experiencing speech from an unknown source which saved their lives in situations of extreme danger, leading on to a discussion about beliefs in spiritual beings, guardian angels, perhaps? 

I think the power inside our minds is far greater than we are comfortable with. One of my favourite quotes is “let your light shine…” by Marianne Williamson. (Do Google it if you haven’t come across it before, and you’re up for a challenge!) Where the borders of my mind, my heart, gut instinct and soul are, I’m never sure. I certainly can’t be definite about my soul/spirit. I know (by experience, so maybe I should say believe) I have one but I also know it isn’t physically locatable inside me, unlike for example, my tonsils, or my lungs. I do know it’s intimately involved in my mental health/illness but I would usually avoid straying anywhere near this territory when talking to a health professional. It has also taken me a long time to come to terms with what I would now call the “voice inside my head” which is an inner critic – quite the opposite of a guardian angel. 

Does anyone else feel their spirit gets involved in their mental health, and if so, how do you care for this part of you and your life? And I’m aware we can’t talk about religion too directly, as I believe Automatic Censor takes out certain words!!

ReaderWriter

A Moodscope member