Once upon a time, in a small town nestled between green hills and clear streams, there was a young girl named Clara who had always been curious about the world around her.
She was particularly fascinated by how her own mind seemed to work — how thoughts swirled in her head and emotions swirled and how her body responded to them. It wasn’t until one day, while she was sitting with her grandmother, a retired neurologist, that Clara asked a question that had been on her mind for years.
“Grandma, how does my mind talk to my brain?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Her grandmother, with a gentle smile, patted the seat next to her. “Come sit, Clara,” she said, as she adjusted her glasses. “Let me tell you a story.”
“Your mind,” Grandma began, “is like the captain of a ship, steering your thoughts, decisions, and emotions. Your brain, however, is the entire crew — the heart of the operation, the engine that makes everything run smoothly. They work together in ways that are both mysterious and magical. The Ancients had the wisdom we are recapturing today and they knew more about our mind, body and brain.”
Clara leaned in, eager to understand.
“Now, Clara,” Grandma continued, “let’s start with the brain. The brain is made up of billions of neurons, tiny cells that carry electrical signals, like little messengers. These neurons are constantly sending messages to each other, creating networks that control everything — from your ability to move, to think, to feel.”
Clara’s brow furrowed, trying to visualise it all. “But how does the mind control the brain?” she asked.
“Great question,” Grandma said, nodding. “You see, the mind and the brain are deeply connected, but they aren’t the same thing. The brain is the physical organ, while the mind represents the thoughts, memories, emotions, and awareness that arise within it. The mind is like the software running on a computer, and the brain is the hardware that makes it all possible.”
Clara thought for a moment. “So the mind isn’t something I can touch, but the brain is?”
“Exactly,” Grandma said with a smile. “The brain is a tangible structure, and it’s through this organ that the mind expresses itself. When you have a thought or an emotion, like when you feel excited about something, that excitement isn’t just floating around in the air — it’s a pattern of electrical activity in your brain, created by the firing of neurons.”
Clara’s eyes widened. “So, my brain is like a big electrical system?”
“Yes,” Grandma nodded. “That’s right. The brain’s neurons communicate with each other through electrical impulses. These impulses travel along pathways, forming complex networks. For example, when you think about something happy, the brain releases chemicals called neurotransmitters, like dopamine, which makes you feel good. When you think about something stressful, the brain releases cortisol, a stress hormone.”
“But how does my mind control all of that?” Clara asked, still puzzled.
“Think of your mind as the one setting the intentions. It’s your conscious awareness that guides what happens in your brain. For example, if you’re meditating and focusing on your breath, your mind is consciously guiding your brain to slow down and relax. The mind tells the brain to reduce activity in areas like the amygdala, which is responsible for fear, and to activate the prefrontal cortex, which controls calm decision-making.”
Clara was beginning to see the picture. “So, my thoughts can actually change how my brain works?”
“Exactly,” Grandma said with a twinkle in her eye. “The brain is incredibly flexible. This is called neuroplasticity. The more you practice certain thoughts or behaviours, the more the brain rewires itself to make those connections stronger. So, when you practice mindfulness or positive thinking, your brain becomes more skilled at those things. It’s like exercising a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets.”
“But what happens when we’re stressed or anxious?” Clara asked, her voice softening.
“When we’re stressed, the brain enters a ‘fight or flight’ state,” Grandma explained. “The amygdala, the brain’s alarm system, sends signals to release stress hormones. This prepares the body to react quickly. But if we stay in this state too long, it can wear us down. That’s why managing our thoughts through things like breathwork, meditation, or positive self-talk is so important — it helps reset the brain and restores balance.”
Clara sat back, marvelling at the way her mind and brain were so intricately connected. “So, I can actually change my brain by changing my thoughts?”
Grandma smiled warmly. “Yes, Clara. That’s the beauty of it. The mind and the brain are always talking to each other, shaping who we are and how we experience the world. And with awareness, we have the power to shape both.”
From that day forward, Clara thought about her mind and brain as partners, working together in harmony. She knew that with every mindful breath and every positive thought, she could help her brain grow stronger, calmer, and more resilient — just like her grandmother had taught her.
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