What is morphology, and why is it worthy of our consideration? Morphology, according the dictionary (that old book, gathering dust on the shelf that we never seem to use anymore) can have different meanings depending upon its use in linguistics, biology or other scientific endeavors. Generally, however, morphology refers "form" and "structure." It relates to the shape of things, considered as a whole. When superheroes or characters from animated productions (cartoons) talk about "morphing" they are talking about changing shape. I, for one, would like to improve my morphology.
Although all living things change through growth and development, generally speaking, most of us would likely assume that basic physiological structure or morphology changes very little (excepting of course metamorphic processes such as seen in caterpillars changing to butterflies). I would like to suggest that assumption may be at least somewhat inaccurate. I believe that the physiology of our physical being (our bodies) may be continually changing in response to many factors including environmental, behavioral and even the cognitive/emotional. If this were true, it would have great implications for all of us, almost all of the time.
One might ask, "If morphology is constantly changing, why don't I notice it?" For the answer, we might look to something that, for centuries, has been considered a valuable source of understanding, -the eyes. The eyes, it is said, are the "Windows to the Soul." Through the eyes we might see the nature of an individual. We might see what he truly is. Through the eyes we might also be able get some idea of the relative health of an individual. Certainly it is possible for optometrists and ophthalmologists to identify high blood pressure and other physical maladies simply through examination of the eyes. The eyes might be considered early warning indicators of a variety of physical problems.
It has been suggested that mental struggles, among many other things, can actually have a deleterious effect upon the musculature surrounding the eye, and therefore eyesight. William H. Bates, M.D., in a book entitled "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" (1971, Pyramid Books, New York, NY) stated "under conditions of mental or physical discomfort, such as pain, cough, fever, discomfort from heat or cold, depression, anger, or anxiety, errors of refraction are always produced in the normal eye or increased in the eye in which they already exist(p. 29)." He went on to state "it has been demonstrated in thousands of cases that all abnormal action of the external muscles of the eyeball is accompanied by a strain or effort to see, and that with the relief of this strain the action of the muscles becomes normal and all errors of refraction disappear(p. 37)." This suggests that the way in which strain negatively impacts the eye is through a change in the form and function of the eye muscles; it changes their morphology.
If those things were true then why wouldn't we all have normal vision once we relax? Certainly after a full nights sleep we'd all have perfect vision. Well, first of all, sleep, while rejuvenation, does not necessarily bring us to a state of complete restfulness. "During sleep the refractive condition of the eye is rarely, if ever, normal(p.28)" stated Dr. Bates. He also stated that if an individual has eyestrain when awake, "that strain will certainly be continued during sleep(pp.41,42)." Also, many of us, after a hard day, relax, however that doesn't mean we immediately have normal vision. I believe that the problem lies in that for most of us our "normal restful state" is not the deep and profound state of rest that is required.
I would suggest that negative emotions, over time, have cumulative effects upon the structure and function of the musculature surrounding the eye, and therefore the eye itself. That could be why, even with Dr. Bates' innovative methods, older individuals (especially those who have made use of glasses) have a much harder time and require a longer period to effect an improvement in their vision. Perhaps it is that over time, and with constant repetition of certain behavioral patterns, morphological changes become relatively permanent. Any behavior in which we engage continually will become ingrained as a habit. Habits, for most of us, are stubbornly tenacious and difficult to change.
If we were to consider these principles more generally, we might include the effects of stress and strain upon the entire body, not just the eye. It has been said that stress can cause or is implicated in very large number of physical ailments. Some of these include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, Alzheimer's disease, chronic inflammation, premature aging and even premature death. Certainly some of these conditions would seem to imply a fundamental change in physical morphology. The result of stress and strain can be not simply a matter of subjectively feeling "stressed out." It can potentially be a matter of pathologically changing the very structure of our physical being.
How many times do we hear or see something and think to ourselves "wow, I should really look into that," and then do nothing, or allow that thing to simply fade from our consciousness? While this could be "one of those things," it shouldn't. Attending to and mitigating the effects of stress will have real and immediate benefits in our lives.
Thankfully, achieving a deep and profoundly relaxed state is not an unattainable goal. It is not hard to "do." Ironically, it is actually about the absence of "doing," mentally speaking. While this is antithetical to our typical way of thinking (charging forward, multitasking and "getting things done"), it is essential for restoring us and counteracting the effects that stress would inflict upon us daily.
When advocating the important benefits of this relaxed and peaceful state, I have noticed that many (having been once informed) will state that they "just didn't get around to it," or "didn't have time." More than likely, I'm guessing that these are simply statements of avoidance. There can be many factors fueling avoidance such as "am I doing it right," "is it working the way it is supposed to," "will this really work for me?" While those may be legitimate concerns, focusing upon them actually works counter to the process. They short circuit it!
There are many resources for information about relaxation and meditation, including the internet and libraries. Do not try and wait for the "right time" to get started. Now is the right time!
Although all living things change through growth and development, generally speaking, most of us would likely assume that basic physiological structure or morphology changes very little (excepting of course metamorphic processes such as seen in caterpillars changing to butterflies). I would like to suggest that assumption may be at least somewhat inaccurate. I believe that the physiology of our physical being (our bodies) may be continually changing in response to many factors including environmental, behavioral and even the cognitive/emotional. If this were true, it would have great implications for all of us, almost all of the time.
One might ask, "If morphology is constantly changing, why don't I notice it?" For the answer, we might look to something that, for centuries, has been considered a valuable source of understanding, -the eyes. The eyes, it is said, are the "Windows to the Soul." Through the eyes we might see the nature of an individual. We might see what he truly is. Through the eyes we might also be able get some idea of the relative health of an individual. Certainly it is possible for optometrists and ophthalmologists to identify high blood pressure and other physical maladies simply through examination of the eyes. The eyes might be considered early warning indicators of a variety of physical problems.
It has been suggested that mental struggles, among many other things, can actually have a deleterious effect upon the musculature surrounding the eye, and therefore eyesight. William H. Bates, M.D., in a book entitled "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" (1971, Pyramid Books, New York, NY) stated "under conditions of mental or physical discomfort, such as pain, cough, fever, discomfort from heat or cold, depression, anger, or anxiety, errors of refraction are always produced in the normal eye or increased in the eye in which they already exist(p. 29)." He went on to state "it has been demonstrated in thousands of cases that all abnormal action of the external muscles of the eyeball is accompanied by a strain or effort to see, and that with the relief of this strain the action of the muscles becomes normal and all errors of refraction disappear(p. 37)." This suggests that the way in which strain negatively impacts the eye is through a change in the form and function of the eye muscles; it changes their morphology.
If those things were true then why wouldn't we all have normal vision once we relax? Certainly after a full nights sleep we'd all have perfect vision. Well, first of all, sleep, while rejuvenation, does not necessarily bring us to a state of complete restfulness. "During sleep the refractive condition of the eye is rarely, if ever, normal(p.28)" stated Dr. Bates. He also stated that if an individual has eyestrain when awake, "that strain will certainly be continued during sleep(pp.41,42)." Also, many of us, after a hard day, relax, however that doesn't mean we immediately have normal vision. I believe that the problem lies in that for most of us our "normal restful state" is not the deep and profound state of rest that is required.
I would suggest that negative emotions, over time, have cumulative effects upon the structure and function of the musculature surrounding the eye, and therefore the eye itself. That could be why, even with Dr. Bates' innovative methods, older individuals (especially those who have made use of glasses) have a much harder time and require a longer period to effect an improvement in their vision. Perhaps it is that over time, and with constant repetition of certain behavioral patterns, morphological changes become relatively permanent. Any behavior in which we engage continually will become ingrained as a habit. Habits, for most of us, are stubbornly tenacious and difficult to change.
If we were to consider these principles more generally, we might include the effects of stress and strain upon the entire body, not just the eye. It has been said that stress can cause or is implicated in very large number of physical ailments. Some of these include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, Alzheimer's disease, chronic inflammation, premature aging and even premature death. Certainly some of these conditions would seem to imply a fundamental change in physical morphology. The result of stress and strain can be not simply a matter of subjectively feeling "stressed out." It can potentially be a matter of pathologically changing the very structure of our physical being.
How many times do we hear or see something and think to ourselves "wow, I should really look into that," and then do nothing, or allow that thing to simply fade from our consciousness? While this could be "one of those things," it shouldn't. Attending to and mitigating the effects of stress will have real and immediate benefits in our lives.
Thankfully, achieving a deep and profoundly relaxed state is not an unattainable goal. It is not hard to "do." Ironically, it is actually about the absence of "doing," mentally speaking. While this is antithetical to our typical way of thinking (charging forward, multitasking and "getting things done"), it is essential for restoring us and counteracting the effects that stress would inflict upon us daily.
When advocating the important benefits of this relaxed and peaceful state, I have noticed that many (having been once informed) will state that they "just didn't get around to it," or "didn't have time." More than likely, I'm guessing that these are simply statements of avoidance. There can be many factors fueling avoidance such as "am I doing it right," "is it working the way it is supposed to," "will this really work for me?" While those may be legitimate concerns, focusing upon them actually works counter to the process. They short circuit it!
There are many resources for information about relaxation and meditation, including the internet and libraries. Do not try and wait for the "right time" to get started. Now is the right time!
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For more information about the process of decreasing the stress and strain in your life please read the article Strain Relief. For those who already find tropical themes relaxing, be sure to check out Tiki Tranquility.
