What is morphology, and why is it worthy of our consideration? Morphology, according the dictionary (that old book, gathering dust on the shelf that we never seem to use anymore) can have different meanings depending upon its use in linguistics, biology or other scientific endeavors. Generally, however, morphology refers "form" and "structure." It relates to the shape of things, considered as a whole. When superheroes or characters from animated productions (cartoons) talk about "morphing" they are talking about changing shape. I, for one, would like to improve my morphology.
So if morphology refers to form and structure, and, given that most likely "it is what it is," what difference does it make to any of us, and more specifically to our physiology? I would like to submit to you that I believe morphology is not simply "what it is" (fixed), but rather a characteristic that is ever evolving, positively or negatively. I am not talking about cartoons, but something affecting all of us, all the time, in real life, in deep and meaningful ways.
If, indeed, it were true that morphology is changing all the time, why wouldn't it be obvious? Why does it not become plain that things are always changing, at least to some degree? We may gain some insight through consideration of those things which for centuries have been considered "the windows to the Soul," -the eyes. The eyes of an individual can tell us many things, not the least of which has to do with his physical health. Ophthalmologists are able to detect high blood pressure and other conditions through eye examination. The eyes, it seems, may show first signs of morphological changes.
It was Ophthalmologist William H. Bates, M.D. in his highly acclaimed book Better Eyesight Without Glasses (1971, Pyramid Books, New York, NY) who noted "Under conditions of mental or physical discomfort, such as pain, cough, fever, discomfort from heat or cold, depression, anger, or anxiety, errors of refraction are always produced in the normal eye or increased in the eye in which they already exist (p.29)." Further, he stated that "It has been demonstrated in thousands of cases that all abnormal action of the external muscles of the eyeball is accompanied by a strain or effort to see, and that with the relief of this strain the action of the muscles becomes normal and all errors of refraction disappear (p. 37)." To paraphrase, it would appear that stress, and the resultant strain that it produces causes, in and of itself, defective eyesight. It changes the morphology of the eye itself and therefore causes errors of refraction.
Yet, one might ask, why is it that all of us, when we return to a normal restful state, do not have perfectly normal vision? Why is it that after a full night's sleep everyone's vision is not returned to normal? Dr. Bates informs us that "During sleep the refractive condition of the eye is rarely, if ever, normal (p. 28)," and that if our eyes are under a strain when we are awake, "that strain will certainly be continued during sleep, (pp. 41, 42)." Further, most of us would agree that we all know individuals who, even though ostensibly relaxed, have vision problems.
I would suggest that negative emotions, over time, have cumulative effects upon the structure and function of the musculature surrounding the eye, and therefore the eye itself. That could be why, even with Dr. Bates' innovative methods, older individuals (especially those who have made use of glasses) have a much harder time and require a longer period to effect an improvement in their vision. Perhaps it is that over time, and with constant repetition of certain behavioral patterns, morphological changes become relatively permanent. Any behavior in which we engage continually will become ingrained as a habit. Habits, for most of us, are stubbornly tenacious and difficult to change.
If we were to consider these principles more generally, we might include the effects of stress and strain upon the entire body, not just the eye. It has been said that stress can cause or is implicated in very large number of physical ailments. Some of these include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, Alzheimer's disease, chronic inflammation, premature aging and even premature death. Certainly some of these conditions would seem to imply a fundamental change in physical morphology. The result of stress and strain can be not simply a matter of subjectively feeling "stressed out." It can potentially be a matter of pathologically changing the very structure of our physical being.
This adds import, and even a sense of urgency, to the notion of managing our stress. It is not in the category of "things we all know we should do, but never get around to." It is (or should be) in the category of things to deal with and resolve very, very soon.
It is a very good thing that counteracting the strain inflicted upon us all is not an impossible task. It is not out of reach or impossible to do. It simply requires the intention to do it, and allowing it to happen. In fact, the more effort we put into it, and the more we attempt to "force" ourselves to do it, the less attainable it will be. While this is a little backward in our society today, simply letting go and allowing ourselves the opportunity to experience peace, with no overtones of "should" or "must" or "have-to" will begin the process easily.
Having just made the statement that this is not hard to do, I will admit that it is something that many find elusive. Perhaps it is in the way in which we've been programmed over time. Perhaps it relates to the values we hold. Perhaps over time, we have been gradually "rewired" to stay busy and shun inactivity as useless, slothful and morally inferior. Whatever the reason, it will require that many of us change our thinking.
There are a multitude of sources for information about accessing this level of peace and quietude, in print, over the internet and likely even in our own communities. Please avail yourself of those resources and get started. It doesn't matter how "well" you do at them, just start to use them and make them habitual. They will improve your life.
So if morphology refers to form and structure, and, given that most likely "it is what it is," what difference does it make to any of us, and more specifically to our physiology? I would like to submit to you that I believe morphology is not simply "what it is" (fixed), but rather a characteristic that is ever evolving, positively or negatively. I am not talking about cartoons, but something affecting all of us, all the time, in real life, in deep and meaningful ways.
If, indeed, it were true that morphology is changing all the time, why wouldn't it be obvious? Why does it not become plain that things are always changing, at least to some degree? We may gain some insight through consideration of those things which for centuries have been considered "the windows to the Soul," -the eyes. The eyes of an individual can tell us many things, not the least of which has to do with his physical health. Ophthalmologists are able to detect high blood pressure and other conditions through eye examination. The eyes, it seems, may show first signs of morphological changes.
It was Ophthalmologist William H. Bates, M.D. in his highly acclaimed book Better Eyesight Without Glasses (1971, Pyramid Books, New York, NY) who noted "Under conditions of mental or physical discomfort, such as pain, cough, fever, discomfort from heat or cold, depression, anger, or anxiety, errors of refraction are always produced in the normal eye or increased in the eye in which they already exist (p.29)." Further, he stated that "It has been demonstrated in thousands of cases that all abnormal action of the external muscles of the eyeball is accompanied by a strain or effort to see, and that with the relief of this strain the action of the muscles becomes normal and all errors of refraction disappear (p. 37)." To paraphrase, it would appear that stress, and the resultant strain that it produces causes, in and of itself, defective eyesight. It changes the morphology of the eye itself and therefore causes errors of refraction.
Yet, one might ask, why is it that all of us, when we return to a normal restful state, do not have perfectly normal vision? Why is it that after a full night's sleep everyone's vision is not returned to normal? Dr. Bates informs us that "During sleep the refractive condition of the eye is rarely, if ever, normal (p. 28)," and that if our eyes are under a strain when we are awake, "that strain will certainly be continued during sleep, (pp. 41, 42)." Further, most of us would agree that we all know individuals who, even though ostensibly relaxed, have vision problems.
I would suggest that negative emotions, over time, have cumulative effects upon the structure and function of the musculature surrounding the eye, and therefore the eye itself. That could be why, even with Dr. Bates' innovative methods, older individuals (especially those who have made use of glasses) have a much harder time and require a longer period to effect an improvement in their vision. Perhaps it is that over time, and with constant repetition of certain behavioral patterns, morphological changes become relatively permanent. Any behavior in which we engage continually will become ingrained as a habit. Habits, for most of us, are stubbornly tenacious and difficult to change.
If we were to consider these principles more generally, we might include the effects of stress and strain upon the entire body, not just the eye. It has been said that stress can cause or is implicated in very large number of physical ailments. Some of these include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, Alzheimer's disease, chronic inflammation, premature aging and even premature death. Certainly some of these conditions would seem to imply a fundamental change in physical morphology. The result of stress and strain can be not simply a matter of subjectively feeling "stressed out." It can potentially be a matter of pathologically changing the very structure of our physical being.
This adds import, and even a sense of urgency, to the notion of managing our stress. It is not in the category of "things we all know we should do, but never get around to." It is (or should be) in the category of things to deal with and resolve very, very soon.
It is a very good thing that counteracting the strain inflicted upon us all is not an impossible task. It is not out of reach or impossible to do. It simply requires the intention to do it, and allowing it to happen. In fact, the more effort we put into it, and the more we attempt to "force" ourselves to do it, the less attainable it will be. While this is a little backward in our society today, simply letting go and allowing ourselves the opportunity to experience peace, with no overtones of "should" or "must" or "have-to" will begin the process easily.
Having just made the statement that this is not hard to do, I will admit that it is something that many find elusive. Perhaps it is in the way in which we've been programmed over time. Perhaps it relates to the values we hold. Perhaps over time, we have been gradually "rewired" to stay busy and shun inactivity as useless, slothful and morally inferior. Whatever the reason, it will require that many of us change our thinking.
There are a multitude of sources for information about accessing this level of peace and quietude, in print, over the internet and likely even in our own communities. Please avail yourself of those resources and get started. It doesn't matter how "well" you do at them, just start to use them and make them habitual. They will improve your life.
About the Author:
For more information about the process of establishing a new, more healthy baseline of relaxation please read the article Strain Relief. To give the process a tropical twist, be sure to check out Tiki Tranquility.
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