There are four basic aspects of our being – body, heart, mind, and spirit – which reflect the four dimensions of life. For each aspect, I offer a definition, reveal its purpose, describe how it functions when unbalanced vs. balanced, share some ideas for bringing it into balance, and then show how to bring them all together into harmony. What makes this blog unique is that these four aspects of ourselves are explained, not from a typical egoic perspective, but from the perspective of the Self, which is our true essential nature.
The Body
Definition: The body is the physical container, or biological apparatus, that allows us (the Self) to exist in and navigate the material world. It represents the aspect of ourselves that operates in and reflects the physical dimension, which is vibrationally the densest one. The element most associated with the body is Earth.
Purpose: The body’s purpose is to sense the external world and keep us alive in it, which it does through the sensory and physical organs and systems. The experience of life through the body appears as sensation.
Unbalanced: When the body is in an unbalanced state, it holds tension and manifests disease. The muscles are tight, the nervous system is constricted and weak, the breath is fast and shallow, and the energy flow is blocked, leading to physical illness, dulled sensory input, and a sense of separateness from the environment.
Balanced: When the body is in a balanced state, it’s relaxed and healthy. The physical constriction is absent, the musculature is loose, the nervous system is strong, the breath is steady and deep, and the sensory experience is vivid and full. There is both a satisfying grounded sensation and a pleasant floating sensation simultaneously. The relaxation brings a lightness, which allows energy to flow through every cell of the body, keeping it in a state of constant health.
Ways to Balance: recreation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, healthy diet, proper sleep, exercise, hatha yoga, tai chi, massage, acupuncture, tension-relaxation exercises, being in nature, and more.
The Heart
Definition: The heart is the energetic container that allows us (the Self) to exist in and navigate the subtler world of energy and emotion. It’s the field of energy that originates in the center of our chest and surrounds us spherically, i.e. our aura. The heart represents the aspect of ourselves that operates in and reflects the energetic dimension, which is vibrationally less dense than the physical one. The elements most associated with the heart are Water and Fire.
Purpose: The heart’s purpose is to energize and feel. As the emotional center, it functions as both the engine for the body and the driver of the mind. The experience of life through the heart appears as feeling.
Unbalanced: When the heart is unbalanced, it’s closed, stagnant, and disconnected. The aura is dark and compact, and there is either a numbness and avoidance of feeling or a predominance of negative emotions like fear, sadness, and anger. There is a lacking of energy and motion within the body, and a sluggishness to our will power and motivation. When the heart is closed, there’s a feeling of insecurity and disconnectedness, not only from ourselves, but also from others and the world.
Balanced: When the heart is balanced, it’s open, flowing, and connected. The aura is bright and spread out, extending far beyond the range of the body and positively influencing the surrounding environment. There is a free-flowing vitality, will power, and motion throughout the spherical open heart, as well as an emotional richness and depth of feeling, with a predominance of positive emotions like love, joy, and peace. A flowing heart experiences serenity and interconnectedness.
Ways to Balance: feeling, trusting, staying active, finding purpose, serving others, socializing with good company, releasing emotions, energy healing, creative pursuits, art, music, chanting, and more.
…continued in Part 2…