Striking the right balance between our physical and spiritual aspects
is one of the most challenging aspects of existence. We are dual beings by
nature, spiritual entities bound to earth by physical bodies. In our
lifetimes, we are charged with the duty of nurturing and tending both with
equal devotion and love. Yet while both aspects of the self are deserving of
honor and respect, there is a tendency for people who are more spiritually
focused to ignore, avoid, or dismiss their bodies. Similarly, many
individuals are entirely ensconced in the carnal realm and pay no attention
to the needs of the soul. In both cases, an adjustment is in order. We are
whole only to the degree that we embrace both sides of our beings.
If the soul is the inward manifestation of our consciousness, the body is the
living, breathing expression of that consciousness. The physical self
provides the home in which the spiritual self takes root and flourishes. Just
as we must tend to the seed of the soul to ensure that it grows strong, so,
too, must we care for the protective shell that is the body to make certain
it is capable of playing its role in our development. Though there will no
doubt be times in our lives when we feel more comfortable focusing on the
spiritual self or the physical self, denying the fundamental importance of
one or the other can lead to ill health, emotional distress, and a sense of
incompleteness. Both facets of the human experience play a vital role in our
well-being.
The body and the soul are the yin and yang of our current reality. They are,
at this point of human evolution, irreparably bound together, and many
spiritual teachers agree that the body is one of the greatest vehicles
through which to access the soul. In fact, many believe that our spirit has
chosen to be embodied as an essential part of our spiritual development.
Consequently, it is the responsibility of each person on the planet to forge
a marriage between the two, so that these disparate aspects bring out the
best in each other, creating a vibrant, dynamic, and workable whole.
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