Health is Wealth

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about health and its benefits, and what the role of health actually plays in a conscious life. How a healthy body leads to a healthy mind leads to a healthy spirit.

“Your body is a temple,” stuff. Heavy, biblical stuff. The stuff we like to gloss over because looking too hard at what we do to ourselves makes us feel guilty, and guilt leads to shame, and shame leads to repression, which in turn leads to doing the bad stuff to yourself to hide the guilt. Life is beautifully and regrettably circular until you choose to level up.

What kicked off this train of thought was a conversation on X about alcohol.

An account, Not Elon Musk, which may or may not be Elon Musk (probably not but AI affiliated, is my guess), asked whether alcohol in the US should be legal at age 18. I replied:

This lead to a deeper discussion on the health benefits of alcohol, which made me think consider the other things you will find down below in my typical stream-of-consciousness learning style. Please do click on the “Show more” link, and if you like my work, please throw me a follow: https://x.com/CarlaGericke. TIA!

The X post: “I think my issue here is with your choice of the word “benefit.” Coffee does actually have some health benefits, which alcohol, even in moderation, does not. Or, let’s take heroin: It relaxes you too, but I assume, you wouldn’t advocate for its regular use? So I ask again, if something isn’t benefitting YOUR HEALTH, why are you consuming it? You claim “because it relaxes me,” but this is a mind trick (placebo affect at best; cognitive dissonance/lie at worst <— the truth, sorry/not sorry). From a healthy, alcohol-free mind, this is what your position looks like to me: An addictive poison you choose to consume “relaxes you,” and you tell yourself “that’s good for me,” while ignoring the fact that on a cellular level “it is honestly, absolutely bad for me,” but I am going to tell myself that’s not the case because “it relaxes me”… And while YOU TELL YOURSELF it “relaxes me,” you also KNOW both from a scientific perspective and from something deep inside that you choose to ignore, that alcohol is an addictive poison that corporations spend billions of dollars a year to foist on you and the unsuspecting public. Maybe you never wonder about the billions spent on advertising and product placement to create the very brain-loop that lets you tout the “benefits of ‘relaxation'” from a neurotoxin that causes anxiety and disturbs sleep. It sounds kind of bonkers: rewarding yourself with the very thing that is making you sick. Now I understand many people drink their poison “moderately,” thereby remaining functioning Zombies their whole lives. Alcohol dulls the spirit, while ironically being called spirits. I appreciate my position is probably much too Pollyanna for general public consumption, but that doesn’t mean I am wrong.”

Me to ChatGPT: If something doesn’t benefit your health, what benefits can it have?

If something doesn’t directly benefit your health, it can still provide value in a variety of other ways, such as:

Mental and Emotional Well-being

• Joy and Pleasure: Activities like listening to music, watching a movie, or indulging in a favorite hobby might not have direct health benefits but bring happiness and reduce stress.
• Social Connection: Spending time with friends and family strengthens relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional security.

Personal Growth and Development

• Learning: Gaining new skills, knowledge, or experiences can expand your intellectual horizons and increase self-confidence.
• Creativity: Engaging in creative pursuits like painting, writing, or playing music nurtures self-expression and innovation.

Productivity and Success

• Career Advancement: Activities that enhance professional skills or build networks can contribute to financial stability and personal achievement.
• Problem-Solving: Challenges unrelated to health can teach perseverance, critical thinking, and adaptability.

Cultural and Spiritual Enrichment

• Cultural Appreciation: Engaging in arts, literature, or history enriches understanding and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Spiritual Fulfillment: Practices like meditation, prayer, or community service provide a sense of purpose and connection.

Economic or Material Gains

• Wealth Creation: Investments, entrepreneurial ventures, or skilled trades may have little to do with health but provide financial stability and opportunities for lifestyle improvements.
• Resource Accumulation: Acquiring items or assets can enhance your quality of life or security.

Entertainment and Escapism

• Relaxation: Recreational activities like gaming or watching sports

Carla: I find the above absolutely fascinating! Read it over… it’s another mind trick! Many of those things DO ENHANCE HEALTH AS STATES OF FLOW/CONSCIOUSNESS/CREATION. But they are external to the body in terms of health, they are mind-enhancing, neuron-firing, synapse-building things (therefore something entirely different). But the ones that do not have to do with CREATION, are spirit enslavement tools (soul catchers!). For example, look at “Entertainment and Escapism.” It is passive: watching someone else do sport instead of doing it yourself (which WOULD enhance HEALTH) or gaming, which is literally ensnaring your attention in another dimension. Is this good or bad? You need to decide. I don’t game for a reason.

Carrying on…

Write a paragraph in the style of Tree discussing “your body is a temple” as a way of life, drawing on historic and modern references

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

They say, “Your body is a temple,” and while I’ve always appreciated the poetry of the phrase, I must admit, I envision my own temple as a bit more eclectic than serene. Maybe a lively bazaar in Angkor Wat—part sacred, part chaotic marketplace, with the occasional tuk-tuk careening through, fueled by coffee and rebellion. The idea of treating the body with reverence is ancient, of course. The Greeks sculpted gods into human form to remind themselves of their divine potential, while yoga practitioners in ancient India mapped the body as a vessel for spiritual enlightenment. Fast-forward to the present, and we’ve replaced the incense with kombucha and the altars with Peloton bikes, but the core principle remains: stewardship of the flesh as a moral obligation. Yet, in an age of industrial food, microplastics, and government-approved toxic nonsense, this reverence has evolved into an act of defiance. To cherish and care for your body isn’t just self-respect—it’s rebellion against a system that profits from your neglect. My temple might not have a pristine marble facade, but it’s standing strong, patched with wisdom and fortified with freedom, and that, to me, feels like the truest worship.

You said:

List 5 references to “your body is a temple” from literature

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

The phrase “your body is a temple” has been referenced in various literary works, often emphasizing the sanctity and respect one should accord to their own body. Here are five notable examples:

1. Flannery O’Connor’s “A Temple of the Holy Ghost” (1953):
   • In this short story, two young girls recount a carnival sideshow featuring a hermaphrodite who declares, “I am a temple of the Holy Ghost.” This proclamation underscores the inherent sanctity of the human body, regardless of its form. Wikipedia
2. John Donne’s “Devotions upon Emergent Occasions” (1624):
   • In Meditation XVII, Donne reflects on the interconnectedness of humanity, stating, “The church is catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all.” This meditation implies that each individual’s body is a part of the greater body of the church, highlighting the sacredness of the human form.
3. Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” (1855):
   • Whitman’s poetry often celebrates the human body as divine. In “I Sing the Body Electric,” he writes, “If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred.” This line emphasizes the holiness and reverence due to one’s own physical form.
4. Aldous Huxley’s “Antic Hay” (1923):
   • In this satirical novel, a character muses, “Your body is a temple, but how long can you live in the same house before you redecorate?” This reflection humorously critiques societal attitudes toward physical appearance and self-care.
5. Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” (1987):
   • Morrison explores themes of bodily autonomy and trauma. A character reflects on the scars inflicted upon her, contemplating the idea of her body as a temple that has been desecrated, yet still holds profound significance and resilience.

These literary works explore the concept of the body as a temple, each offering unique perspectives on the reverence and respect owed to one’s own physical being.

You said:

Where does the reference “body is a temple” come from?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

The reference “your body is a temple” originates from the Bible, specifically from the New Testament. It appears in two key passages written by the Apostle Paul in his letters to the Corinthians, where he uses the metaphor of the body as a temple to emphasize the sanctity and care one should afford to their physical being. These references are foundational to the phrase’s modern usage:

1. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV):
   • “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
   • This passage underscores the idea that the body is a sacred vessel indwelt by the Holy Spirit, encouraging believers to treat their bodies with respect and holiness.
2. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV):
   • “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
   • Here, Paul extends the metaphor to include the collective community of believers as the temple of God, emphasizing spiritual and physical sanctity.

These Biblical origins have influenced the use of the phrase in both religious and secular contexts, often as a call to self-care, moral conduct, or a lifestyle of health and respect for one’s body.

You said:

What is the opposite of health?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

The opposite of health can be understood in different ways depending on the context, but generally, it refers to states or conditions that impair well-being or the body’s proper functioning. Here are a few interpretations:

1. Illness or Disease:
   • The most direct opposite of health is illness, sickness, or disease, which denotes a state where the body or mind is not functioning optimally due to infections, chronic conditions, or other medical issues.
2. Poor Well-being:
   • Beyond physical sickness, the opposite of health could be a lack of well-being, encompassing mental, emotional, or spiritual distress, such as depression, anxiety, or a sense of purposelessness.
3. Dysfunction:
   • A broader opposite might be dysfunction, where systems (biological, social, or environmental) fail to support proper growth, vitality, or balance.
4. Unbalance or Disorder:
   • A holistic view might frame the opposite of health as imbalance or disharmony, where there is a lack of equilibrium between physical, emotional, and social factors.
5. Neglect or Degradation:
   • From a societal or environmental perspective, the opposite of health could be neglect or decay, where there is a failure to nurture, maintain, or respect what sustains vitality.

Each interpretation highlights different facets of what it means to be “healthy” and what happens when those facets are compromised.

You said:

why is alcohol called “spirits”?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

The term “spirits” for alcohol has a fascinating history rooted in both language and cultural practices. Here’s why alcohol is often referred to as “spirits”:

1. Origins in Alchemy:

• The term “spirits” dates back to medieval alchemy, where the process of distillation was seen as extracting the “spirit” or essence of a substance. When alcohol was distilled, it was thought to capture the “spirit” of the liquid.

2. Etymology:

• The word “spirit” comes from the Latin spiritus, meaning “breath” or “soul.” Distilled alcohol, with its vaporous nature and potent effects, was likened to capturing the soul or life force of the fermented material.

3. Association with Mysticism and Medicine:

• Distillation was once considered a mystical process, and the products were believed to have almost magical properties. Early distilled spirits were often used in medicine and thought to have healing or transformative powers, reinforcing the idea of their “spiritual” essence.

4. Connection to Intoxication:

• Some cultures viewed intoxication as a way to commune with the divine or unleash hidden aspects of the self. Alcohol’s ability to alter consciousness was thus associated with the “spirit” of transformation or transcendence.

5. Historical Use of the Term:

• By the 16th century, the term “spirit” was widely used in English to describe the product of distillation, specifically referring to distilled alcohol. It became common to call drinks like whiskey, gin, and rum “spirits.”

The poetic and mystical roots of the term persist, even as our understanding of alcohol’s chemistry and effects has evolved. “Spirits” continues to evoke a sense of something potent, transformative, and perhaps a bit otherworldly.

List top 5 most reliable studies that prove alcohol has no health benefits

ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT

Recent research has increasingly challenged the notion that alcohol consumption offers health benefits. Here are five notable studies that provide evidence against the health advantages of alcohol:

“Daily Alcohol Intake and Risk of All-Cause Mortality” (2023):
Summary: This comprehensive meta-analysis reviewed 107 studies involving over 4.8 million participants. It found no significant reduction in mortality risk for low-volume alcohol consumers compared to lifetime non-drinkers. The study highlighted biases in previous research that suggested health benefits from moderate drinking. JAMA Network

“Association of Alcohol Consumption With Selected Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” (2011):
Summary: This analysis examined the relationship between alcohol intake and various cardiovascular outcomes. It concluded that while some studies suggested a protective effect, the evidence was inconsistent and often confounded by other lifestyle factors. BMJ

“Alcohol Consumption and Mortality From Coronary Heart Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies” (2017):
Summary: This study updated previous analyses and found that the apparent protective effects of moderate alcohol consumption on coronary heart disease were likely due to methodological biases, such as the inclusion of former drinkers in non-drinking groups.

“Alcohol and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses Based on Prospective Cohort Studies” (2022):
Summary: This umbrella review assessed multiple meta-analyses and found that the purported health benefits of alcohol consumption were often overstated and that alcohol intake was associated with increased risks for several health conditions. Frontiers

“No Level of Alcohol Consumption Improves Health” (2018):
Summary: Published in The Lancet, this global study concluded that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, as any potential protective effects are outweighed by the increased risk of various health issues, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

These studies collectively suggest that alcohol consumption does not confer health benefits and may, in fact, pose various health risks.

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

[Personal disclaimer: Caveat emptor + trust but verify]