Brain, mind and enlightenment

[Edward95]

“The body may be the site of our bondage but it is also the means of our extrication” -Buddhism: Concise Introduction by Houston Smith, p80 

 

“One thing, O monks, developed and repeatedly practiced, leads to the attainment of wisdom. It is the contemplation of the body” -Buddha, requoted from the above book 

 

Although the journey to spiritual awakening is a pimarily journey towards liberating the mind, I do think physical health does play an important role in it. I imagine lots of physical energy is required for long hours of meditation and contemplation in addition to knee flexibility and lower back/core strength to meditate in full lotus.

 

Thus I suppose anyone serious about enlightenment would dedicate some time to train and take care of one’s body. 

 

My question is, if meditation trains the mind and physical exercise trains the body, should one do additional and separate work to train the brain (your brain is the source of all your insights and awareness)? Or is it unecessary and pointless to do work separately as training the mind always has effect on the brain? (Studies do show that meditation can change the physical structure of the brain)

[Hellspeed]

No need for physical exercise when you have mastered the energy of Kundalini. Walks and stretches are enough.