In Buddhism, the focus is on achieving "complete freedom of the mind" through meditation. There is a huge emphasis on "mind over matter" - Buddhists believe that the body is secondary, and if one can control one’s mind, one will subsequently be able to control one’s body.

This was what Ram Bahadur Bamjan tried to do. His attempt to meditate for six years undisturbed incurred the interest of scientists, who tried conducting studies to determine how he was able to go without food and water for an extended period of time.

I do believe that the mind is capable of much more than the body is - which is the basis of the saying "where there’s a will, there’s a way". What is of greater interest to me are the techniques one has to put to use in order to control one’s own mind. It’s not that easy - we are easily distracted and our minds naturally like to wander. I guess the key is in focusing.