My brother-in-law, Engineer Ong Geok Soo asked me through WhatsApp
this question:
“Why and how does the body heal itself”?
I thank him for asking and sharing this very short question - which to me is not just a scientific inquiry, but more importantly a spiritual question
I shall reply through a scientific lens, and separately or together from a combined scientific-spiritual point of approach
But before that, let me give a summary of my thought in pink:
Summary:
Why does the body heal itself?
Science answers: because of intricate biological systems designed to preserve life.
Spiritual reflection answers: because life itself, expressed through the soul, strives
to remain.
Between these two views lies a shared sense of wonder.
For in every healed wound and every recovery, we witness something
extraordinary:
the persistence of life, seen through science, and perhaps also felt through the soul.
When the Body Heals: A Harmony of Biology and the Living Spirit.
One of the most remarkable mysteries of human existence is this: why is the body able to heal itself? A cut closes, a fracture mends, infections are fought and overcome, often without conscious effort. Yet at times, external help becomes necessary, especially in severe or life-threatening conditions.
Full Text:
To understand this, we may look at the human being from two complementary perspectives: the biological (scientific) and the spiritual (philosophical).
The Biological Perspective: The Body’s Built-In Intelligence
From a scientific standpoint, the body possesses highly sophisticated
systems designed for survival and repair.
The immune system constantly performs what is known as immunological
surveillance, identifying and eliminating harmful invaders such as bacteria
and viruses. Cells communicate through intricate chemical signals, coordinating
inflammation, repair, and regeneration.
At the same time, damaged tissues undergo healing through well-orchestrated processes:
1. Inflammation to remove harmful agents
2. Cell proliferation to replace damaged cells
3. Remodelling to restore structure and function.
This complex coordination is governed by genetic instructions encoded
in DNA, refined through evolution and expressed from the earliest stages of
life, even in the womb.
In this sense, the body appears almost intelligent, as though
it “knows” how to restore balance when disturbed.
But who was the designer of that stupendous mind-boggling masterpiece? It was God who blew His breath into a lifeless body made from the non-living soil, and man became a living soul with thousands of complex chemistries in their orderly pathways criss-crossing each other simultaneously and harmoniously without any need of biological or chemical traffic light to sustain it.
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well"
(Psalm 139:14)
"and the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathe into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (with a living soul inside)
(Genesis 2:7)
The Spiritual Perspective: Life Beyond Chemistry
Yet science, for all its achievements, still does not fully define what
life itself is. We can describe biochemical reactions, but the animating
principle, the difference between a living body and a lifeless one, remains
deeply mysterious.
Here, many, including myself see a deeper dimension.
I propose that life is not merely chemistry, but the presence of a living soul, an immaterial essence that animates and governs the body. According to this view:
1. The soul sustains the body’s living processes. It maintains harmony within the body’s chemistry
2. It strives to restore balance when illness occurs
3. When the body is injured, whether through external agents like
infection or internal factors such as lifestyle, the soul, in its vitality,
“works” through the body’s systems to bring about healing.
In this understanding, the immune system and biological repair
mechanisms are not random or accidental. Rather, they are expressions of a
deeper organising principle, present from the very beginning of life.
When Healing Fails
However, there are limits.
If the injury or insult becomes too severe, whether through
overwhelming disease, trauma, or sustained harm, the body may no longer sustain
its functions. In my interpretation, this is the point at which the soul
departs, and the body returns to the earth from which it came.
This perspective harmonizes with ancient wisdom traditions, where life is
seen as a unity of body and spirit:
“What God has joined together, let no one separate.”
(Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9)
My feeling also acknowledges that healing is not always
self-contained.
In critical situations, another human soul - a doctor intervenes. From a scientific view, this is medical expertise applied to restore physiological balance. From my spiritual perspective, it may also be seen as one living soul (doctor) assisting another (patient), helping to preserve life when the body alone cannot.
A Unified View: Science and Meaning Together
Rather than opposing each other, these two perspectives may be seen as
complementary:
1. Science
explains the mechanisms of
healing
2. Spiritual
reflection explores the meaning and origin of life itself
3. The
body’s ability to heal may therefore be understood as both:
4. A
product of extraordinarily complex biological systems, and
5. A reflection of a deeper, life-giving principle that science has yet to fully define
The healing of the body is not a simple phenomenon. It is a profound
interplay between structure and function, chemistry and coordination, injury
and restoration.
Whether one views it purely through biology or through the lens of a
living soul, one truth remains clear:
the human body is not passive, it is actively, continuously striving toward
life.
And perhaps that striving itself is the greatest mystery of all.
Let me rewrite my thoughts in another way - towards a more spiritual direction.
The Healing Body and the Living
Soul: A Reflection on Life, Illness, and Divine Presence
Why does the human body heal itself? - my beloved brother Ong Geok Soo field this question for me.
This question, though often answered in scientific terms, reaches far
deeper into the mystery of life itself. A wound closes, a fever subsides, an
infection is overcome, yet behind these visible processes lies something far
more profound than chemistry alone.
Science describes how the body heals. But it does not fully
explain why life persists, nor what sustains it.
The Body Without Life Is Stillness
The physical body, in its material form, is composed of molecules,
cells, and tissues. Yet on its own, it is not alive. There must be something
more, an animating presence that transforms inert matter into a living being.
This presence, I believe, is the soul.
Life is not merely the sum of biochemical reactions. Rather, life
is the expression of the soul within the body. When the soul is present,
the body lives, functions, and heals. When it departs, the body returns to
dust.
In this sense, the soul is not just part of life, it is life itself.
The Soul as the Keeper of Harmony
Within the living body, countless biochemical reactions occur every
second. From a scientific view, these are regulated by genes, enzymes, and
cellular signalling pathways.
But one may also see this differently.
The soul, as a living and sustaining essence, governs and
harmonises the body’s internal environment. It maintains balance, corrects
disturbances, and strives continuously to preserve life.
When illness occurs, whether through infection, injury, or the
consequences of our own lifestyle, the body does not remain passive. It
responds, repairs, and restores.
This healing process may be understood as the work of the soul
expressed through the body’s biological systems.
What science calls the immune system and tissue repair may, in a
deeper sense, reflect the soul’s ongoing effort to remain with the body and
sustain it.
Healing as an Act of Preservation
The soul, being pure and life-giving, does not abandon the body
lightly.
In times of illness, it “abides” - stays with the body, working through its
natural systems to restore order. It corrects imbalances, repairs damage and
resists harmful influences.
Even when the body is injured by external agents. such as bacteria or
viruses, or by our own actions, the soul continues its effort to heal.
This capacity for healing is not accidental. It is not something that
arose from nothing. Rather, it is a programme inherent from the very
beginning of life, present even in the earliest stages of development
within the womb.
One may see this as part of a divine design, where the soul and
body are brought into existence together, inseparably linked.
When the Soul Can No Longer Remain
Yet there are limits.
If the body is continually harmed, or if the injury becomes too
great, whether through severe disease, trauma, or persistent neglect, the
harmony between body and soul begins to fail.
At a certain point, the soul can no longer sustain the body.
And so, it departs.
When this happens, the body, once animated and alive, returns to the
earth from which it came. The chemistry remains, but life is gone.
From this perspective, death is not merely a biological failure, but the
departure of the soul from the physical body.
There are moments when the body’s own healing capacity is not
sufficient.
In such times, another human being, a physician intervenes.
Scientifically, this is the application of medical knowledge and
skill. But spiritually, it may also be seen as one living soul assisting
another, helping to preserve the union between body and soul.
In this way, healing is not only an individual process but also a
shared human act of compassion and care.
A Divine Union
The unity of body and soul may ultimately reflect a deeper truth:
That life itself is not random but given.
The soul, often described as the breath of God, brings life into the
body and sustains it. The body, in turn, becomes the vessel through which life
is expressed.
Thus, healing is not merely repair, it is the continuation of a
divine relationship within the human being.
As it is written:
“What God has joined together, let no one separate.”
— Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9
Let me write it once again in a better
way:
The body heals because it is alive.
And it is alive because something greater than matter dwells within it.
Whether one speaks in the language of science or of faith, the mystery
remains profound. The processes may be described, but the essence of life
continues to elude complete understanding.
Perhaps healing is best seen not simply as biology, but as the
quiet, persistent presence of life itself, striving, restoring, and remaining
for as long as it can.
Let me echo my thoughts to emphasize once again - The Healing of the Human Body: Science and Spirit in Dialogue
I. The Scientific Perspective: The Biology of Self-Healing
The human body possesses a remarkable ability to heal itself; a
capability rooted in complex and highly coordinated biological systems.
At the centre of this process is the immune system, which
constantly performs immunological surveillance. It identifies harmful
invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells, and eliminates them
through specialised defensive mechanisms. White blood cells, antibodies, and
signalling molecules work together in a dynamic and responsive network.
When injury occurs, the body initiates a structured healing process:
1. Inflammation: Blood vessels dilate, allowing immune cells to reach the site of injury and remove damaged tissue and pathogens.
2. Proliferation: New cells are produced to replace those that were lost or damaged.
3. Remodelling: Tissue is reorganised and strengthened to restore function.
These processes are guided by genetic instructions encoded in DNA.
From the earliest stages of development in the womb, these instructions are
already present, directing growth, repair, and adaptation.
In addition, the body maintains internal stability through homeostasis, a
finely tuned balance of temperature, pH, fluid levels, and biochemical
reactions. When this balance is disturbed, corrective mechanisms are
automatically activated.
However, the body’s healing capacity is not unlimited. Severe trauma,
overwhelming infection, or chronic disease may exceed its ability to recover.
In such cases, medical intervention becomes essential, providing support
through medication, surgery, or other therapies.
From this perspective, healing is the result of natural biological processes shaped by evolution, operating continuously to preserve life.
II. The Spiritual Perspective: The Living Soul Within
Beyond the language of biology lies a deeper question: what is it
that makes the body alive in the first place?
The physical body, though intricate, is composed of matter. Yet matter
alone does not account for life. There must be an animating presence, a
principle that gives life, sustains it, and unifies the body’s functions.
This presence may be understood as the soul.
The soul is not merely an addition to the body; it is the very essence
of life itself. When the soul is present, the body lives, responds, and heals.
When it departs, the body becomes still and returns to the earth.
From this perspective, the body’s ability to heal is not solely
mechanical. Rather, it reflects the ongoing activity of the soul,
working within the body to maintain harmony.
When illness or injury occurs, the soul does not abandon the body.
Instead, it abides - stays together as a loving couple within it, watching over the body by the bedside, striving to restore balance. What we observe as
immune responses and tissue repair may be seen as expressions of this deeper
life force.
The capacity for healing is present from the very beginning of
existence, even in the womb, suggesting that it is not accidental, but part of a
purposeful design. The soul and the body come into being together, forming a
unity that sustains life.
However, this unity has its limits. When the body is severely damaged
or persistently harmed, it may no longer sustain the presence of the soul. At
that moment, the soul departs, and life ends.
In times of serious illness, the intervention of a physician may be
seen not only as medical care, but as one life assisting another,
helping to preserve the union between body and soul. In other words, another soul (the doctor) helping another soul (the patient).
Thus, healing becomes more than a biological event, it is a reflection
of a deeper reality: life striving to remain within the body.
III. A Reflection: Two Windows, One Mystery
These two perspectives, scientific and spiritual, do not necessarily contradict one another. Instead, they offer different ways of understanding the same phenomenon.
1. Science explains the mechanisms of healing
2. Spiritual reflection explores the meaning and origin of life
One speaks in the language of cells, molecules, and systems.
The other speaks in the language of soul, purpose, and presence.
Together, they remind us that the human body is not merely a machine,
nor is life easily reduced to a single explanation.
Science answers: because of intricate biological systems designed to
preserve life.
Spiritual reflection answers: because life itself, expressed through the soul,
strives to remain.
Between these two views lies a shared sense of wonder.
For in every healed wound, every recovered illness, and every moment
of restored health, we witness something extraordinary:
the persistence of life, seen, and perhaps also unseen.
The human body possesses a remarkable ability to heal itself; a
capability rooted in complex and highly coordinated biological systems.
At the centre of this process is the immune system, which
constantly performs immunological surveillance. It identifies harmful
invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells, and eliminates them
through specialised defensive mechanisms.
When injury occurs, the body initiates a structured healing process:
1. Inflammation
– to remove harmful agents and damaged tissue
2. Proliferation
– to generate new cells and rebuild tissue.
3. Remodelling
– to restore strength and function
These processes are guided by genetic instructions encoded in DNA and
regulated through intricate cellular signalling networks. From early
development in the womb, these systems are already active and essential for
survival.
The body also maintains internal stability through homeostasis,
constantly adjusting to internal and external changes.
However, when injury or disease overwhelms these natural mechanisms,
medical intervention becomes necessary to support or restore normal function.
From this perspective, healing arises from biological systems
shaped by evolution and encoded within our physiology.
II. The Spiritual Perspective: The Living Soul Within
Beyond biology lies a deeper and more ancient question: what is it
that gives life to the body?
The physical body, though intricate, is composed of matter. Yet matter
alone does not fully explain the presence of life. There must be an animating
principle, something that brings unity, purpose, and vitality.
This may be understood as the soul.
The soul is the essence of life within the body. When it is present,
the body lives, heals, and responds. When it departs, the body becomes still
and returns to the earth.
From this perspective, healing is not merely mechanical. It reflects
the activity of the soul working through the body, maintaining harmony
and restoring balance.
When illness occurs, the soul remains with the body, striving to preserve life. The soul does not abandon the body when it is sick. It stays with the body like a caring and loving couple watching over it. In illness, the physical body feels sick, so is the soul emotionally and mentally without us realizing this.
What science describes as immune responses and repair mechanisms
may be seen as expressions of this deeper loving life force.
The presence of this healing capacity from the earliest stages of life
suggests that it is not accidental, but part of a purposeful design. The body
and soul come into being together, forming a unity that sustains life.
Yet this unity has limits. When the body can no longer sustain life,
the soul departs. Death, in this view, is not simply biological failure, but the
separation of soul and body.
In times of severe illness, the role of the physician (first soul) may also be seen in a spiritual light, one life helping another soul (the second one - the patient) to endure. In society the doctor is seen as a "kind soul" coming in aid of another soul in distress and in need.
There are at least four verses from the Bible and four more from other philosophical and spiritual text linking healing with the body and soul. But I shall write on this separately in another article.
Let me re-echo this verse in Acts 20:35, attributed to Jesus the Greatest Healer of all, and the Giver of Life:
It is more blessed to give than to receive - emphasizing that generosity, sacrifice, and supporting other souls bring greater spiritual, emotional, and moral fulfillment than receiving. It support life, foster virtues, contentment, and joy, while combating selfishness and encouraging stewardship.
See also "The Dual Symphony of Existence"
https://scientificlogic.
When God created Adam, He also created Eve as his mate and helper. So is the body with his soul as his mate and helper without which the body cannot heal itself.
On this concluding note, today, March 20 is also my birthday. The first day of the Muslim Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Festival of Breaking the Fast) 2026 is on 21st March, coinciding with the spring / vernal equinox when there is almost equal lengths of day and night in the northern hemisphere.
Let my birthday be my birthday gift to all my readers who have read and have benefitted from what I have written and explained here, especially to my brother-in-law, Ir. Ong Geok Soo who asked me this question:
"Why and how does the body heal itself”?
To all my Muslim friends and colleagues too, may I extend my greetings and good wishes to them for blessings, good health, happiness and peace for Hari Raya throughout the year.
Spiritual & Philosophical References
1. The Holy
Bible
a. Genesis
2:7 – “The Lord God formed man… and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life.”
b. Matthew
19:6 / Mark 10:9 – “What God has
joined together, let no one separate.”
2. Thomas
Aquinas – Writings on the soul as the form and life principle of the body
3. Hippocrates
– Early reflections on the body’s natural healing power (“vis medicatrix
naturae”)
4. Paracelsus
– Emphasised the vital force and the body’s innate healing capacity
5. Man's
Search for Meaning – Explores the deeper dimensions of human existence beyond
physical survival
For scientific references here
are some:
1. Guyton
and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology – A foundational reference describing
homeostasis, tissue repair, and physiological regulation
2. Janeway's
Immunobiology – A comprehensive exploration of the immune system and its
defensive mechanisms
3. National
Institutes of Health – Research resources on wound healing, immunity, and
regenerative processes
The
Biology of Cancer – Discusses cellular regulation, repair, and immune
surveillance in disease contexts
