The body follows the actual intention of the mind

The following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

Question: In some books, it is written that the body does not lie. If you are thinking of something, the body shows some messages, some signs. Is the body telling the truth?

Acharya Prashant (AP): No, the body is not telling the Truth; the body is representing the mind.

Body is not telling the Truth; Body is representing the mind.

The body does not know any Truth.

See it is like this: I may hold a rubber snake in my hand, but you think that it is a real snake, your mind is deceived into thinking that it is a real snake, and you are constantly thinking that it is a real snake. What will happen to your body?

Your body will sweat and shiver.

The body is only following the mind, the body knows no truth.

When the mind is agitated, the body also gets agitated.

Body and mind are one, they have nothing to do with the Truth.

Listener (L): Sir, how can they be one? The mind is thinking something and body is also shivering. Then?

AP: No. If the mind is really into something, the body will follow it. If your body is shivering, it only means that you think that you want to go there but your actual intention is not to go there. Body and mind are one.

When it is said that “The body does not lie”, it must be taken like this — the body follows the real intention of the mind. Not the proclaimed intention. Sometimes you say one thing but you are feeling the other way.

So the snake is here but you want to act courageous, so what do you tell everybody, to all the ladies, what do you tell them?

L: No, I am not afraid.

AP: “I’m not afraid”, but what is your body doing?

(Gesture of Shivering)

The body knows no truth,

but the body clearly represents what the mind is experiencing.

In this sense, the body does not lie!

You are welcome to know more about Acharya Prashant and his literature. You can also contact the Foundation directly.