BODY AND SOUL

We know what our body is. Don't we? What is our soul? I define it as the energy that animates the body. It is infinitely more aware than our mind is, while it is occupying our bodies, because it is our higher self or real self and knows its connection with source [or God if you prefer].

We are preoccupied by our bodies and we are aware of little day to day connection with our spirit. As we learn to love we see more and more evidence of spirit and you can certainly feel it in relationships to people. It is easier described in poetry than in the language of the mundane. Oneness is an expression of spirit and we will experience it more and more. Unconditional love is the expression of spirit. In our ordinary lives we see it most frequently between Mother and Child.

In earlier times it was common to deny the body in an attempt to be aware of spirit. Ascetic groups sprang up and some exist to this day. I am sure that many seekers were successful following these practices but it isn't necessary and contains its own limitations. We still carry within us the idea that we have to deny the body to be spiritual. This idea was exploited big time by religions and other institutions for the purpose of control. Some religions made sex evil, or at least distasteful, unless it was practiced in closely prescribed ways. All body functions had some judgement connected with them. To this day there are somethings we just can't talk about.

What is the answer? We know we are not bodies. Bodies are born, then they die. They are material. We are energy; as such we are not destructible. That doesn't mean bodies should be ignored as lesser and be disdained. While they are activated by spirit, they are spirits communication device. They are the way spirit expresses its love to other bodies. We chose this density and life in these bodies for a reason. Our bodies need to be cared for and cherished.

So what is the nature of the conflict?  When we became trapped in our bodies and lost all sense of who we really were, we correctly discerned that our bodies held us back. They do; but the solution isn't denial of the body. Balance is what is needed. Preoccupation with the bodies senses, whether it be pleasure or pain, cuts you off from others and makes you self centered. Focusing only on the hungers of the body leads to greed, envy, untrammeled lust etc. You know, those seven sins we learned in catechism class.

But it is not a real problem. If we seek love and respect for others, in all that we do, we can't fall into one of those traps. It is inconceivable to be trapped in the body if you are seeking unconditional love. If you find yourself temporarily preoccupied with your body because of pain [common] you need to accept your body and love it. The pain will pass.

Indulging your body with pleasure is part of loving your body. You need to love your body and honor it as an expression of your spirit. You just need to understand what you are seeking. Pleasure, like pain is passing, it goes and attempts to hang unto it leads to addiction. And that is a trap.

We are  entering a period where we will understand wholeness. We will see the connectivity of everything. We will understand the oneness of body and soul and realize there need be no conflict.

All things being equal, as one gets older, one becomes more aware of spirit. For myself, I find that true enough. In January I will be 78 and I can attest you become more aware of your body too. I discover a new twinge or crick every day.

Well, I need to get at my dishes.

Love and Peace,  Gregg