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.
If we consider the structure or shape of something, would we not believe it to be a stable trait? The structure of something does not generally change, excepting of course the application of external force for that purpose, and allowances for biological developmental growth. I would like to suggest that morphology, specifically related to physiology, is not as stable and unchanging as we might expect. It may be that the morphology of our own bodies is continually changing in one way or another. Through the interplay of our environment, our behavioral reaction to that environment as well as our individual thoughts and feelings I believe that our bodies respond in very basic and fundamental ways, even to the point of altering morphology.
If, indeed, it were true that morphology is changing all the time, why wouldn't it be obvious? Why does it not become plain that things are always changing, at least to some degree? We may gain some insight through consideration of those things which for centuries have been considered "the windows to the Soul," -the eyes. The eyes of an individual can tell us many things, not the least of which has to do with his physical health. Ophthalmologists are able to detect high blood pressure and other conditions through eye examination. The eyes, it seems, may show first signs of morphological changes.
In a book entitled "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" (1971, Pyramid Books, New York, NY) William Bates, MD stated that "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 continued that "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 would seem to suggest that stress of various kinds produces strain sufficient to alter the shape and function of the eye muscles. It changes the morphology of the muscles, and subsequently, the eye itself.
Yet, one might ask, why is it that all of us, when we return to a normal restful state, do not have perfectly normal vision? Why is it that after a full night's sleep everyone's vision is not returned to normal? Dr. Bates informs us that "During sleep the refractive condition of the eye is rarely, if ever, normal (p. 28)," and that if our eyes are under a strain when we are awake, "that strain will certainly be continued during sleep, (pp. 41, 42)." Further, most of us would agree that we all know individuals who, even though ostensibly relaxed, have vision problems.
Perhaps with time and repetition the effects of emotional negativity become ingrained physiological responses, affecting not only musculature but the way the physical structure operates (physiology). That would explain why Dr. Bates noted that treatment and remediation of eyesight in older patients invariably takes longer than it does for younger ones. Response patterns in younger individuals have not become so established and therefore resistant 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.
It should be clear from the above that these are issues of great import. These are not issues that, like so many others, "I'll get around to, sometime." Ameliorating strain (the effects of stress) truly is something to deal with now, and of which to get the BENEFITS now!
It is a very good thing that counteracting the strain inflicted upon us all is not an impossible task. It is not out of reach or impossible to do. It simply requires the intention to do it, and allowing it to happen. In fact, the more effort we put into it, and the more we attempt to "force" ourselves to do it, the less attainable it will be. While this is a little backward in our society today, simply letting go and allowing ourselves the opportunity to experience peace, with no overtones of "should" or "must" or "have-to" will begin the process easily.
While the point was just made that this process is not difficult, I will admit it is something which many have found far from easy. It may be because of our past associations, our training or our value systems, but for many it seems just out of reach. The concept of "letting go" may seem like "doing nothing," to some, and is therefore useless, selfish and unproductive. In a sense, we must change our way of thinking to accept that accessing this state of relaxation is perhaps one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
There are a multitude of sources for information about accessing this level of peace and quietude, in print, over the internet and likely even in our own communities. Please avail yourself of those resources and get started. It doesn't matter how "well" you do at them, just start to use them and make them habitual. They will improve your life.
If we consider the structure or shape of something, would we not believe it to be a stable trait? The structure of something does not generally change, excepting of course the application of external force for that purpose, and allowances for biological developmental growth. I would like to suggest that morphology, specifically related to physiology, is not as stable and unchanging as we might expect. It may be that the morphology of our own bodies is continually changing in one way or another. Through the interplay of our environment, our behavioral reaction to that environment as well as our individual thoughts and feelings I believe that our bodies respond in very basic and fundamental ways, even to the point of altering morphology.
If, indeed, it were true that morphology is changing all the time, why wouldn't it be obvious? Why does it not become plain that things are always changing, at least to some degree? We may gain some insight through consideration of those things which for centuries have been considered "the windows to the Soul," -the eyes. The eyes of an individual can tell us many things, not the least of which has to do with his physical health. Ophthalmologists are able to detect high blood pressure and other conditions through eye examination. The eyes, it seems, may show first signs of morphological changes.
In a book entitled "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" (1971, Pyramid Books, New York, NY) William Bates, MD stated that "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 continued that "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 would seem to suggest that stress of various kinds produces strain sufficient to alter the shape and function of the eye muscles. It changes the morphology of the muscles, and subsequently, the eye itself.
Yet, one might ask, why is it that all of us, when we return to a normal restful state, do not have perfectly normal vision? Why is it that after a full night's sleep everyone's vision is not returned to normal? Dr. Bates informs us that "During sleep the refractive condition of the eye is rarely, if ever, normal (p. 28)," and that if our eyes are under a strain when we are awake, "that strain will certainly be continued during sleep, (pp. 41, 42)." Further, most of us would agree that we all know individuals who, even though ostensibly relaxed, have vision problems.
Perhaps with time and repetition the effects of emotional negativity become ingrained physiological responses, affecting not only musculature but the way the physical structure operates (physiology). That would explain why Dr. Bates noted that treatment and remediation of eyesight in older patients invariably takes longer than it does for younger ones. Response patterns in younger individuals have not become so established and therefore resistant 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.
It should be clear from the above that these are issues of great import. These are not issues that, like so many others, "I'll get around to, sometime." Ameliorating strain (the effects of stress) truly is something to deal with now, and of which to get the BENEFITS now!
It is a very good thing that counteracting the strain inflicted upon us all is not an impossible task. It is not out of reach or impossible to do. It simply requires the intention to do it, and allowing it to happen. In fact, the more effort we put into it, and the more we attempt to "force" ourselves to do it, the less attainable it will be. While this is a little backward in our society today, simply letting go and allowing ourselves the opportunity to experience peace, with no overtones of "should" or "must" or "have-to" will begin the process easily.
While the point was just made that this process is not difficult, I will admit it is something which many have found far from easy. It may be because of our past associations, our training or our value systems, but for many it seems just out of reach. The concept of "letting go" may seem like "doing nothing," to some, and is therefore useless, selfish and unproductive. In a sense, we must change our way of thinking to accept that accessing this state of relaxation is perhaps one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
There are a multitude of sources for information about accessing this level of peace and quietude, in print, over the internet and likely even in our own communities. Please avail yourself of those resources and get started. It doesn't matter how "well" you do at them, just start to use them and make them habitual. They will improve your life.
About the Author:
For more information about the process of establishing a new, more healthy baseline of relaxation please read the article Strain Relief. To give the process a tropical twist, be sure to check out Tiki Tranquility.