SPIRITUALITY & WELLNESS foods that are made with them . We may have good intentions to exercise , to walk every day , but our minds convince us that we are too busy and that there is no time . In our western world we have become disconnected from our bodies , or , as spiritualists say , uprooted . When we are not rooted in the body , we lose sight of its beauty and the importance of its well-being . When we are uprooted , we stop being mindful and become disconnected from our inner sacredness .
SPIRITUALITY & WELLNESS foods that are made with them . We may have good intentions to exercise , to walk every day , but our minds convince us that we are too busy and that there is no time . In our western world we have become disconnected from our bodies , or , as spiritualists say , uprooted . When we are not rooted in the body , we lose sight of its beauty and the importance of its well-being . When we are uprooted , we stop being mindful and become disconnected from our inner sacredness .
In his book Balancing Mind and Body , spiritual guru Osho discusses how the body can be manipulated by the mind and how the mind is influenced by the external world that causes the disconnection to occur . The mind eagerly listens to the messages that we receive via television and other media advertisements . Recently I watched a CBC program about girls as young as seven who are dieting , so manipulated are they by our Western society ’ s obsession with what it defines as success and beauty . There appears to be little concern for health and well-being . Consequently , we do not comprehend the importance of being rooted in our bodies .
Some people become workaholics , overindulge , don ’ t eat healthily , don ’ t get enough sleep and never relax . Many people are so overly stressed that they experience numerous stress-related ailments . Drugs , alcohol and other addictions are on the rise ; obesity amongst adults and children is increasing ; and a goodly portion of the population is physically unfit and unhealthy .
Such lack of physical wellness can often result in a lack of emotional and spiritual well-being . What I discovered during my struggle was that no matter what challenge I faced on any given day , by rooting myself in that challenge , through my body and with my spirit I experienced an emotional strength and courage that held me in that time .
Seeking Balance
Achieving body , emotional and spiritual wellness begins with an affirmation that the body is good . “ The body is exceedingly beautiful and the most complex of all creations ,” says Osho . “ It has millions and millions of cells each with its own soul and function .” The body moves , breathes , transforms food into energy and operates in amazing ways without any guidance from us . Nietzche said , “ There is more wisdom in your body than in any deepest philosophy .”
Osho insisted , “ Listen to it [ your body ], be mindful of it , love it , respect it and be grateful for it . Listen to your feet , maybe they are aching for lack of walking in interesting places . Perhaps the stomach rumbles and bloats because it finds no pleasure in frozen or packaged foods . The heart is not just a pump , it is the site of love and it needs to be activated to let that love flow out .”
When faced with challenges such as aging , disease , illness or pain , we may blame ourselves and feel guilty . As previously mentioned , wellness is not about feeling perfectly well all the time , it is about being aware of body , emotions and spirit in every moment of life . There are numerous ways you can reconnect with your body and experience the inner peace of wellness . Relaxation can transform you . When the body is deeply relaxed , so are the mind and the emotions . “ Humor helps to join your split parts ,” says Osho . “ Humor will glue your garments into wholeness .”
Embrace the wonder of your body , feel what you feel , accept what your feel , be open to your body , trust it ; it is always speaking . Laughter , crying , dancing , singing , loving , listening to music or poetry , painting and walking are a few ways to engage the body , emotions and spirit and discover an amazing sense of well-being .
Peggy McDonagh , Minister of Worship at St . David ’ s United Church in Calgary , shares reflections on body , mind and spiritual wellness — important elements in her own life . news & views SUMMER 2015 | 17