Psychosomatology
Psychosomatology (psycho=mind, soma=body, ology=study of) is a term coined by Dr. Michael Sharp and Gina Sharp to describe the multidisciplinary, scientific study of the Physical Unit (i.e., body and “mind as manifested in brain”) as a container for Consciousness. Psychosomatology integrates eastern and western thinking and draws diversely from Psychology, Sociology, Medicine, Biology, Neurology, and other relevant disciplines. Psychosomatology concerns itself with:
- understanding the full potential of the physical unit.
- identifying the physical, nutritional, psychological, emotional, sociological, education, economic, and political precursors of full development of the physical unit.
- identifying the (currently) numerous and ubiquitous pathological conditions which undermine full development of the physical unit.
- the development of treatment strategies and interventions that provide the conditions necessary for returning the physical unit to full health and well being.
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Key Assumptions
The primary assumption of Psychosomatology is that the physical unit is a container for consciousness. The actual “amount” of consciousness contained within the physical unit is variable (Sharp, 2007a) with consciousness expanding naturally into the physical unit as a result of healthy development. The basic research question of Psychosomatology is how to create conditions whereby the physical unit may be developed to maximum Psychosomatic Potential. The nature of the consciousness contained by the physical unit, and its relationship with physical matter is outlined in Sharp (2006). The goal of Psychosomatic development is to create a robust container which can accommodate the “full” (or at least a fuller) presence of consciousness.
Psychosomatology assumes consciousness (defined in Sharp, 2006) to be the primary ontological ground (Sharp, 2007) having existential reality far greater than the material world. The ontological position of Psychosomatology, and the relationship of consciousness to physical matter, is summarized by the following relational equation (Sharp, 2006). Consciousness=>light=>energy=>matter
Psychosomatology makes a clear distinction between the physical unit, which includes the “bodily mind” which emerges as a result of the presence of consciousness, and consciousness itself. While the epiphenomenon of consciousness that is the basic mental life of the physical unit is dependent on the embrace of consciousness, consciousness itself is not dependent on the physical unit for existence. The physical unit merely provides a vehicle for expression the full expression of consciousness in physicality.
Psychosomatology sees the body as an energy system manifesting a physical structure. Primary energies are derived from main Chakras which are activated at conception and which provide the energy needed to develop. Psychosomatology assumes that chakra flow is extremely fragile during early development and that constriction may be the outcome of trauma. Constriction of chakra flow undermines the robustness of the physical unit and the “presence” of consciousness in the Physical Unit becomes problematic. Constriction of chakra flow also leads to suboptimal development of the PU which can lead to physical, psychological, and sociological weakness and even pathology.
Psychosomatology assumes current global conditions are sub-optimal when it comes to creating a fully functioning PU. A glimpse of proper functioning can be found in the Peak Experiences of Maslow’s Humanistic Psychology and in the Transpersonal meanderings of Transpersonal Psychology. However these are mere glimpses of the full potential of the Physical Unit.
Psychosomatology assumes healthy development of PU requires significantly enhanced perinatal, infant, childhood, adolescent, and adult conditions. Psychosomatology recognizes that creating conditions that will support the healthy, natural development of the physical unit requires fundamental revision of the social, political, and economic orders.
Psychosomatology is the first fully realized spiritual science. Psychosomatology assumes that material existence and biological life of any form is impossible in the absence of consciousness. Psychosomatology further assumes the physical unit, and in particular the nervous system (including the brain) functions primarily as a reflector of the material world. The modal functions of the brain capture and process energy patterns in the physical world and present these energy patterns to the Resident Monadic Consciousness for apprehension and experience which leads, ideally to full control over the physical world.
Ontological Position
Although Psychosomatology incorporates psychology, medicine, and other disciplines, it can be distinguished from current disciplines by its strong ontological position (Sharp, 2007) and it’s clear distinction between the physical unit as container for consciousness and consciousness itself.
Mystical Insight
Psychosomatology recognizes the importance of mystical insight, intuition, and revelation to the development and progress of human science and society. As the conditions for the healthy development of the physical unit are created, and as weakened physical units are returned to health, a more full and complete connection to the Fabric of Consciousness will naturally attain after which mystical insight will become routine.
Empirical Science
Although Psychosomatology accepts the validity of mystical experience (especially when experienced with mature spiritual sensibilities), Psychosomatology also emphasizes empirical science. Grounding mystical insights into the material reality of this world is a core activity of Psychosomatology.
Research Questions
Psychosomatology requires a general reinterpretation of psychological and neuropsychological theories in light of its key assumptions (i.e., body as container for consciousness, a spiritually ontology, the ubiquitous pathologies which prevent full maturation of the physical unit, etc.)
Psychosomatology requires identification of the full functional potential of the physical unit.
Psychosomatology requires the identification of well adjust exemplars (e.g., Ghandi, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Einstein, etc.) of human development.
See Also
The Journal of Psychosomatology
The Physical Unit
References
Sharp, Michael (2006). '’The Book of Light: The Nature of God, the Structure of Consciousness, and the Universe Within You. Avatar Publications. http://www.avatarpublication.com Purchase
Sharp, Michael (2007a). The Great Awakening: Concepts and Techniques for Successful Spiritual Practice. Avatar Publications.
Sharp, Michael (2007). My Mystical Big Toe: A Strong Theory of Consciousness and Creation. Avatar Publications. http://www.avatarpublication.com Purchase
Sharp, Gina & Sharp, Michael (2012). Psychosomatology. The SpiritWiki: http://www.thespiritwiki.com/index.php/Psychosomatology [Accessed: May 19, 2012]
