What Is Chiropractic Anyway?

In the context of Mind and Matter, the problem many people have with the mystery of consciousness and the grand organization of the universe is that, A. It's undeniable, and B. How do we relate it - this metaphysical stuff - to our physical selves? This physical world of which we appear to belong?

We can think of this problem as trying to relate a puzzling or exotic fact to a relatively domestic, or familiar class of facts. A class of facts that we feel comfortable with; at home with.

I think it's important to evaluate every sign presented on your path before completely refuting it. Sometimes a fact too exotic for our framework of familiarity will lend itself to instant elimination. Implying that the suggestion is altogether not possible and abandoned completely. Such as an atheist would abandon the idea of God, or a pharmaceutical fundamentalist would abandon the idea of vitalistic chiropractic. Though from our knowledge of the general public's perception, we know that the task at hand is to move the concept of chiropractic from exotic... to familiar. To make it a household name. So that when mummy says to child, "It's time to take you to the doctor, sweetie," we know she means the Doctor of Chiropractic.

This class of familiar facts we've created for ourselves is a framework developed by our own biases and perceptions. But what are our biases and perceptions based on? Faith? Belief? What about education? Let's explore this a little.

What is faith? We turn to the dictionary:

faith

n.

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

At number six we see that faith is a set of principles or beliefs. So we turn the page to belief:

be·lief

n.

1. The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another: My belief in you is as strong as ever.
2. Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something: His explanation of what happened defies belief.
3. Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.

In the number one spot, belief is the mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another. Focus on these four words if you will for just a second: Mental act; condition; and habit. To me those words sound like something you'd train yourself to do - something like being educated. Therefore 'belief' suddenly doesn't sound so holy, anointed and celestial anymore, does it?

Our beliefs are based on references. Our references based on what we know. And what we know is derived from education, or the process of education, or the process of acquiring information. So what happens when your process of information acquisition is somewhat altered? The parameters for what you believe in begin to shake a little and abruptly what you believe is no longer a fundamental law, but merely another step in growth - your evolution. If what I'm saying is not entirely true, please raise your hand if you still believe in Santa Claus... or the Tooth Fairy... Easter Bunny? How often is a belief not even your own, but a product of hearsay, or model entrained by your parents, culture or society?

Let's plot what we've deduced thus far:

Information acquisition, i.e. education, whether it be conscious or subconscious, gives rise to faith, which we've worked out already is a principle set of beliefs: The habitual mental act of conditioning leading to one's perception or bias - this being what you understand. And what you understand pilots your mental, physical and spiritual evolution, in other words... your growth. What this all means, essentially, is that any input entered into the system whatsoever, will ultimately lead two one of two results: growth or recession.

Perception creates awareness. Some things you're aware of and some things you're not, based on your bias. So if your nervous system is only aware of certain things, due to the limitations of your perception, then it's not receiving all the input it may need to reach a higher potential. The system wouldn't be functioning properly. A change in input changes the way you function, and ultimately... changes who you are.

posted by Neil Bossenger  # 4:13 pm