Herbert Benson Quotes & Sayings

The mind and body communicate constantly. What the mind thinks, perceives, and experiences is sent from our brain to the rest of the body. — Herbert Benson

The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress ... and the opposite of the fight or flight response. — Herbert Benson

There's something called the physiology of forgiveness. Being unable to forgive other people's faults is harmful to one's health. — Herbert Benson

The mind can wander while still focusing on one task. — Herbert Benson

We can either change the complexities of life ... or develop ways that enable us to cope more effectively. — Herbert Benson

If you are anxious, you can't learn. It's like dropping seeds on concrete. With a quiet mind, people take things in. — Herbert Benson

Stress does not cause pain, but it can exacerbate it and make it worse. Much of chronic pain is 'remembered' pain. It's the constant firing of brain cells leading to a memory of pain that lasts, even though the bodily symptoms causing the pain are no longer there. The pain is residing because of the neurological connections in the brain itself. — Herbert Benson

You will learn that evoking the Relaxation Response is extremely simple if you follow a very short set of instructions which incorporate four essential elements: (1) a quiet environment; (2) a mental device such as a word or a phrase which should be repeated in a specific fashion over and over again; (3) the adoption of a passive attitude, which is perhaps the most important of the elements; and (4) a comfortable position. Your appropriate practice of these four elements for ten to twenty minutes once or twice daily should markedly enhance your well-being. — Herbert Benson