How did Descartes view the relationship between the mind and body?

Descartes viewed the relationship between the mind and body as a dualistic interaction where the mind (or soul) and body are distinct yet interrelated entities. He proposed that the mind and body interact with each other, and this interaction is facilitated specifically through the pineal gland, which he identified as the point of connection between the two. Descartes believed that the pineal gland was the "seat of the soul," granting it a central role in mediating how mental processes could influence physical actions, and vice versa. This view set the foundation for dualistic interpretations of human experience, highlighting the complexity and distinctiveness of mental and physical states while acknowledging their interaction.