Why Hacking The Body Doesn't Work
The internet is chock full of body or mind “hacks,” rigorous shortcuts that attempt to override the body or our emotions or to control our environment. There is one big flaw with hacks. They are temporary. Why? The innate intelligence of our bodies and nature is smarter…by FAR.
You see, the body’s job is loyalty - to keep you alive so that you can live your dharma or purpose. The body works constantly, moment-to-moment until your last breath to restore balance within your system. It doesn’t care that you don’t fit into the jeans you wore in high school. Its job is to stay alive.
As Above, So Below
The Masters say that the intelligence that governs the order and workings of the universe is also at play within your body. Said another way, your body is an entire universe unto itself. Almost every element found in your body (like oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, etc.) was forged inside of stars. Every system, organ, cell, and organelle in the microcosm of your body has a counterpart in the macrocosm. All of it is run by cosmic intelligence, not limited human intelligence or understanding (thank god!).
So, this intelligence will eventually override the hack, usually when that diet or fitness program you paid for ends. The hack may have worked at first because it addressed in a small way your imbalance (like keto does for excessive body fat). But, then for the sake of preventing the damage that is beginning, the body overrides the hack and “progress” stops.
Why?
First, in some way or another, that hack will work against your body in the long run. Think increased cholesterol levels, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, etc. that develop in women after long bouts of low carb/high fat diets. Second, the hack makes the false assumption that your body’s needs are the same as everyone else’s. They aren’t. As the saying goes, “One person’s medicine is another person’s poison.” As Ayurvedic Practitioners, we see this phenomenon all the time.
So What To Do?
First, rest in the truth that you don’t have to “figure it all out” as it relates to nutrition and exercise. When I was sick, understanding the body’s job of constantly working to balance itself gave me a deep sense of peace and understanding that everything was going to be okay. It gave me the ability to get out of my own way and to stop trying to tweak and fix what wasn’t broken. Healing followed.
Understand that you have a unique body and mind type, and with Ayurveda there is actually a blueprint on how to best care for yourself. When you live by this blueprint, you actually SUPPORT and WORK WITH your body’s intelligence and not against it.
Intelligent, Compassionate Living
Once you learn your body-mind type and what supports your well-being, do your best every day, without being “righteous.” A healthy body-mind has some wiggle room for “life.” Dogma creates stress and fear, and fear is never the foundation on which you want to build anything, especially health.
The more you live in a way that supports your well-being, the more you find yourself in a sort of… flow. Why? Because you are tapping into the rhythms and deep intelligence of your body system.
And you will be pleasantly surprised to find that living in support of your well-being is so much easier and more compassionate, pleasant and joyful than the rigors, stress, and self-judgement of body hacking.
