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Where Does Spirit Live?
What is it that makes
one action "spiritual" and another one mundane?
by David Swenson - October 14, 2000
Where Does Spirit Live?
What is it that makes
one action spiritual
and another mundane?
Where does the body end
and the Spirit begin? |
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Spirit Rising / Photo
by David Swenson |
As a child did you ever stand still on a mild
spring day and feel the breeze caress your skin? Did you feel
it roll across your face and tickle the little hairs on your
arms or neck? Did you ever watch a tree swaying with its foliage
fluttering with pleasure and think it was dancing? Have you
observed a leaf as it releases its bond and floats along and
dips and swirls like a twig in a stream?
If I were to ask you what the wind looks like
what would you say? Prove to me that it exists. You may say
that you saw a tree dancing. I would have to agree with you
but that is not the wind. You are merely describing a tree
in motion. You could then describe to me the sensuous feeling
you experienced as the wind traced patterns upon your bare
skin. That would certainly be true as well but what does wind
look like? We could carry on along this vein of inquiry but
the truth is that no one has ever seen the wind yet we are
certain of its existence. This confidence comes from experiencing
the symptoms of its existence. I use these analogies because
the spirit is just as illusive as the wind. Spirit cannot be
viewed with the physical eyes. We may only learn of its presence
by experiencing its symptoms.
What are the symptoms of Spirit? Life itself
is more than a subtle sign yet we want more proof. We tend
to feel the need to create complex theories and deep philosophical
treatises or even religions to try and explain Spirit just
in order to gain the same confidence that a child has in the
existence of wind. We may be likened to a fish swimming in
the ocean looking here and there for the ocean itself when
all the while we are immersed within it.
I have heard people say: “Oh, I don’t
practice physical yoga anymore.” “I practice spiritual
yoga.” As for me I do not see any difference. All pathways
of self-development whether they be physical or not utilize
rituals or ceremonies to enhance self-awareness but it is not
within the action itself that spirituality resides. Some people
attend church. Others sit still in meditation while someone
else may chant mantras or study scriptures. All of these actions
may be good but they are not necessarily spiritual. We may
worship a deity or give a sermon to feed our own ego. We may
meditate to feel superior to others or memorize a scripture
to appear learned. We might become proficient at yoga asanas
to gain praise for our prowess. It is only when we free ourselves
from the ritual and find the deeper essence that we may find
the freedom and innocence of a child’s heart. Spirituality
exists in our focus and intent rather than within the ritual
of our choice. When we tread our chosen path and walk it as
a child feeling the breeze against their skin we may begin
to relish the simplicity of Spirit without the need to know
why or how it exists. I know wind exists! I know Spirit exists
as well. I can feel it tickle the tiny hairs on my neck. I
have floated on it like a leaf on a breeze. I know Spirit exists
because I have seen it in your eyes!
Say not, “I have found the truth,” but
rather, “I have found a truth.”
Say not, “I have found the path to the soul.”
Say rather, “I have met the soul walking upon my path.”
For the soul walks upon all paths.
The soul walks not upon a line; neither does it grow like a reed.
The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.
Kahlil Gibran |
