Earthbound
The Pursuit of Conscious Wholeness
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.
