Physical Self refers to the body, this marvelous container and complex, finely-tuned, machine with which we interface with our environment and fellow beings, and which seems to defy the basic laws of nature by creating order out of randomness. Perhaps you have studied the intricate molecular biology of living systems, as I have. The more I learn, the more in awe I am of what I see. The functions of the body are regulated primarily by the brain, utilizing elaborate biochemical feedback mechanisms. Nearing physical maturity at the end of puberty, the body, if nurtured and cared for properly, can last for many decades. The average maximum life span at this time is eighty-four years for women and around eighty for men, with the additional strain of their comparatively larger bodies.

     The Physical Self is the concrete dimension – the tangible aspect – of the person that can be directly observed and examined. Current scientific methods allow us to study the actual biochemical events that underlie not only bodily function, but also those responsible for thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Some of the chemistry and physiology of memory was discussed in the foregoing section (Intellectual Self ). Another fascinating frontier of research concerns the relationship of the neurotransmitter dopamine to emotion and cognition (its function with respect to our animal drives has already been mentioned). During the final editing of this book, an article appeared in a psychology periodical that touches on some of the interesting implications of current neuro-psychological findings regarding the role of this critical messenger chemical in mental function.

     "Dopamine appears to influence attention and the ability to concentrate . . . basically, dopamine brightens and highlights the world around us, says David Goldman PhD., a neuroscientist with the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 'It's essential for associating something that happens with the feeling of pleasure.' In other words, it reinforces behaviors that make us feel good . . . .

     . . . Richard Mailman, professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, points out that a pleasure / reward system in the brain is, in an evolutionary sense, a terrific idea . . . It pushes us toward accomplishment, achievement, and improving ourselves. 'But it's supposed to be a subtle system,' he says. 'With cocaine, you get a jackhammer effect.' . . . And there's growing evidence that too much dopamine – notably in the limbic system – plays a role in the development of schizophrenia . . . .

     . . . One of the newest theories holds that dopamine initiates not only thoughts of pleasure, but perhaps initiates thought itself. 'The idea is that schizophrenia is a result of dopamine hyperactivity,' [George] Koob [PhD., professor of neuropharmacology, Scripps Research Inst., LaJolla CA] explains. 'The person is bombarded with so many thoughts their ability to pay attention to what's real and what's not is overwhelmed.' . . .

     . . . It seems logical to ask, then: If a person is born with a highly responsive dopamine system, wouldn't he or she be more tuned to receiving pleasure, to feeling rewarded? Would, in turn, the person with a sluggish dopamine response tend to be unmotivated and less exuberant overall? . . . There is even speculation that, by pursuing certain behaviors – single-mindedly focusing on a project, for instance – a person might increase dopamine drive . . . 'When our dopamine system is active, we are more positive, excited, and eager to go after goals and rewards, whether it's food, sex, money, or professional achievement' . . . [points out Richard Depue, professor of human development, Cornell University] . . . 'We have strong evidence that feelings of elation [that occur] because you are moving toward achieving an important goal are biochemically based, though they can be modified by experience.'"⁽¹⁾

It is even suspected that parenting, in particular, may suppress the dopamine spark of romance and excitement in relationships.

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     The concepts involved here can be somewhat confusing, since the dividing line between the classifications of mental and physical has become less and less distinct, and since most issues related to the mind and behavior may be examined from either perspective, often leading to contradictory conclusions. Scientists, by the very nature of their training, tend to prefer to limit the scope of their investigations to the purely physical perspective. To continue with our dopamine example, for instance, we have just seen that dopamine affects the ability to concentrate (therefore the level of consciousness). In addition, there is a growing body of evidence which suggests that the "energy level" disorders, such as Hypersomnolence, Narcolepsy, Hyperkinesis, and Attention Deficit Disorder, are closely related aspects of a single phenomenon – the level of dopamine response and excitability within the basal ganglia and associated areas of the brain. We know that dopamine mediates the association of pleasure with day to day activities, providing the motivation for goal-directed behavior, and it is also clearly implicated in addiction related phenomena.⁽²⁾

     By focusing solely on the somatic aspect of existence (i.e. on the Physical Self ), limiting ourselves to the perspective of biochemistry in our evaluation of the facts above, we might feel compelled to conclude that we are seeing the result of some permanent pathology, such as an inborn error of metabolism or other genetic defect. Our only recourse would then be to attempt to chemically alter the affected physiology with drugs. Failing this, the condition might become labeled as incurable or unresponsive to treatment, and all serious efforts forsaken. The absence of a clear-cut physical explanation and method of treatment may even result in dispute as to the reality of the condition (ADD, Narcolepsy) or worse, a hopeless prognosis (addiction) and abandonment of the patient to mysticism (12-step programs).

     When we back up and expand our focus to the larger picture, we can see that the biochemistry is only one aspect of something greater – something which also includes the patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that result from those chemical reactions – the mental aspect of existence. From this perspective, the fact that psychological patterns are the result of past experiences comes into play. We are then led to the conclusion that the biochemistry underlying those patterns must also be the result of the same influences. Based upon findings mentioned in the prologue of this book, it is quite probable that both the level of dopamine response and the number and placement of dopamine receptors in the brain are determined predominately by the treatment a child receives during the crucial early development phase of the mind and brain – the first three years of life.^{(3) (4)} This, in turn, points to a strong psychological component for all of the above conditions, and conversely (since we are saying that experience affects brain chemistry), it supports the idea of reversing the causative processes, using the mind as the interface with the brain through which actual physical change may be brought about.

     It is the appropriateness of the pervasive fixation with the Physical Self – the compulsion to blame "bad genes" and the tendency to view human existence as the static and unalterable expression of some predetermined pattern – that I would hope that this book prompts the reader to examine. And it is also for this reason that this short section will conclude my treatment of the Physical Self for the purposes of this book. Before moving on though, I believe that we must consider the opposite extreme. Just as it would be improper to limit our perspective to the somatic aspect of existence, it would be just as serious an error to "tune out" our physical existence as an inconvenient hindrance to the attainment of higher levels of intellectual or spiritual awareness. It is possible, in fact, to become split-off from awareness of the myriad complex signals our bodies send to our consciousness to help guide us toward properly meeting bodily needs. This can have a dramatic and negative effect upon the quality of life.

     Cleanliness, hygiene, balanced diet, regular professional care with inoculation against infectious diseases, exercise, sunlight, and detoxification are important for good health. Excessive sunlight causes cancer and many chemicals in the environment, including street drugs, are poisons to the body and should be avoided. Disciplines, such as aikido, which combine physical exercise with a quest for harmony and balance are especially fun and useful. There are certain vitamins and natural products which help to detoxify the harmful effects of smoking, drinking, air pollution, and which allow many systems of the body to work more efficiently. Much has been written about this in recent years.⁽⁵⁾

     As we grow, we discover the joy and wonder of our physical existence. Take care of your body and it will take care of housing and giving expression to all of the miracle that is you. A wise man once said that any technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic. The fabulous complexity of living systems is still somewhat beyond our intellectual grasp and certainly beyond any technology that exists outside the realm of imagination. To me, this is part of the real magic of our world.