what is the meaning of the cliche, 'mind over matter?'?

Question

what is the meaning of the cliche, 'mind over matter?'

Answer 1

it is when you accomplish things that physically do not seem possible,,,,,, such as a person lifting a car off another person,,,,, or being able to "keep on" when their bodies should of shut down,,,,,, it also can mean using your mind towards a goal, that here again doesnt seem possible at first,,,, (yet it might not seem totally impossible) such as moving a large sofa up the stairs,,,,,, around a turn,,,,, solution might be to take the legs off it,, enlist more people,, turn it sideways etc etc
another example, when you go to work/school, yet you are so ill you just want to lay down,,,,,, you find the strength within yourself,,,,,, to push on ,,,,,,

Answer 2

I remember watching a documentary about a man who was paralysed. He kept trying to move and concentrated very hard on the various bits of his body he was trying to move. After quite some time, he became able to use his body again, as he had formed new neural pathways for his motor functions (the usual ones had been destroyed in brain damage which is why he was paralysed). I think this is an excellent and rather amazing example of mind over matter - his thoughts had reconstructed his brain.

Answer 3

Let's say you are out hiking somewhere and you fall and break you leg. Normally, you would not be able to do anything except go to the doctor. But in this case, you realize if you don't drag yourself back to some civilization somewhere, you will die. So you get a 'mind over matter' attitude and pull yourself back to safety.
Another example is Martial Arts. You see someone concentrate and break a brick in half with his bear hand. This is something not normally able to be done without having a 'mind over matter' attitude.

Answer 4

Your mind is a powerful tool.

Let me give you an example. You visit the Dr's with a reoccuring headache. He gives you some pills and away you go. The next day the headache has gone - the pills are made entirely of sugar though. Your mind believes strongly that the pills will work so they do - the placebo effect.

Answer 5

A psychology teacher told me once it can be thought of as the ability to control/override the HPA axis. With general adaption syndrome as it's opposite.
Practical example would be Shao-Lin monks performing.

Wiki link to HPA axis should you wonder ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPA_axis

"The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) refers to a complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions between: the hypothalamus, a hollow, funnel-shaped part of the brain; the pituitary gland, a pea-shaped structure located below the hypothalamus; and the adrenal or suprarenal gland, a small, paired, pyramidal organ located at the top of each kidney. The fine, homeostatic interactions between these three organs constitute the HPA axis, a major part of the neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates various body processes including digestion, the immune system, mood and sexuality, and energy usage. Species from humans to the most ancient organisms share components of the HPA axis. It is the mechanism for a set of interactions among glands, hormones and parts of the mid-brain that mediate a general adaptation syndrome."

Answer 6

It means we are in control of our surroundings and physical selves via the power of our own minds. Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body, sort of thing. Or "It's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"

Answer 7

We are all more than the sum of our parts. A positive attitude can accomplish things that are deemed not possible. I know a person who has beaten cancer twice in the last 5 years because he told his Dr. he would. His Dr. is still astounded.

Answer 8

I was gonna skip over this question, but then I re-read "....but would you mind?" Then I thought, "Hey, you know? I don`t mind." So I clicked. Then I saw "would you mind rating my appearance, as a favor?" I actually said "Aw, man" F*uck off ( and I do mean it in a good way ) Nobody`s perfect. Beauty is subjective ( but heavily biased depending on where you grow up )

Answer 9

I don't mind so it doesn't matter.
(joking! It really means to rise above what stands in our way, our mind can accomplish far more than we think)

Answer 10

Do you desire to understand one of the factors common Law of attractionmaterial does not work for so many individuals?Think it like a diet. If you wish to reduce weight and you work hard to lose it