The Body As Sacred Space

[metis]

What are your thoughts on the body? A sacred house for a holy spirit, a temporary vehicle to be cared for, or ran through the dirt to hopefully have a little fun before you depart?

I love and accept the Hindu concept of "We are That" [variation "I am That"], thus indeed the body is sacred. But we need to tap into That through prayer and meditation because it doesn't act like some sort of "automatic pilot". The Society of Friends [Quakers] refer to it as being the "Inner Light" that we need to tap into.

Love this thread, btw.

 

[Koldo]

I read a bit the other day on the concept that your body is sacred space. Its a concept I've found intriguing.

Most of us in Western culture have heard the reminder "your body is your temple". I think its a Biblical reference, and many times this statement is used to encourage some kind of physical purity or abstinence, and not to put 'lesser' substances into it(be it drugs, alcohol, or junk food). However, having spent several years as a Wiccan in my younger years, I'm reminded of the line from the Charge of the Goddess that states " all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals". Though trashing one's body is not recommended in Wicca, its not uncommon to find alcohol being used in a sacred setting, and responsible and consensual sexuality is looked on as a blessing to be engaged in, rather than a base instinct to be avoided. Here, we have two different views of the body as sacred space.

In Hindu thought, rather than having the more dual aspect of 'positive and negative', all things are said to contain the three gunas, tamas being the mode of sleep or ignorance, rajas being activity or passion, and sattva being balance and peace. Though you want to aim for sattva primarily, rajas and tamas have their place and are recommended at times. Foods and activities have these qualities, and by taking them in, we bring these qualities into our bodies. Yet another way of experiencing this 'space' we've been given.

With some ascetic practices(in various religions), rather than the body being seen as sacred, its seen as an obstacle, and there are many sense negating practices to hopefully break free from its impulses.

What are your thoughts on the body? A sacred house for a holy spirit, a temporary vehicle to be cared for, or ran through the dirt to hopefully have a little fun before you depart?

My body is me. It is who I am.

 

[ChristineM]

What are your thoughts on the body? A sacred house for a holy spirit, a temporary vehicle to be cared for, or ran through the dirt to hopefully have a little fun before you depart?

It's a nice place to be, we only get one so treat it with respect.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Remind me next Christmas to buy you a dictionary.

And get him a thesaurus.

Oh, I have ample of those, thank you very much.

What I was trying to convey is that the notion of "sacred" has no visceral meaning for me. When I enter a mosque or temple, I remove my shoes, as is the custom -- but not because removing my shoes means anything to me. I'm just trying not to offend, but the gesture has no other meaning, for me.

 

[Vinayaka]

I read a bit the other day on the concept that your body is sacred space. Its a concept I've found intriguing.

Most of us in Western culture have heard the reminder "your body is your temple". I think its a Biblical reference, and many times this statement is used to encourage some kind of physical purity or abstinence, and not to put 'lesser' substances into it(be it drugs, alcohol, or junk food). However, having spent several years as a Wiccan in my younger years, I'm reminded of the line from the Charge of the Goddess that states " all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals". Though trashing one's body is not recommended in Wicca, its not uncommon to find alcohol being used in a sacred setting, and responsible and consensual sexuality is looked on as a blessing to be engaged in, rather than a base instinct to be avoided. Here, we have two different views of the body as sacred space.

In Hindu thought, rather than having the more dual aspect of 'positive and negative', all things are said to contain the three gunas, tamas being the mode of sleep or ignorance, rajas being activity or passion, and sattva being balance and peace. Though you want to aim for sattva primarily, rajas and tamas have their place and are recommended at times. Foods and activities have these qualities, and by taking them in, we bring these qualities into our bodies. Yet another way of experiencing this 'space' we've been given.

With some ascetic practices(in various religions), rather than the body being seen as sacred, its seen as an obstacle, and there are many sense negating practices to hopefully break free from its impulses.

What are your thoughts on the body? A sacred house for a holy spirit, a temporary vehicle to be cared for, or ran through the dirt to hopefully have a little fun before you depart?

Temporary house for the atman, bag of nine holes, but to be cared for, (not with overt attachment) because certain experiences can only be had with it.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Oh, I have ample of those, thank you very much.

What I was trying to convey is that the notion of "sacred" has no visceral meaning for me. When I enter a mosque or temple, I remove my shoes, as is the custom -- but not because removing my shoes means anything to me. I'm just trying not to offend, but the gesture has no other meaning, for me.

Consider the thing in your life that you hold most dear. That would be synonymous with "sacred" as used in the OP.

 

[Secret Chief]

Consider the thing in your life that you hold most dear. That would be synonymous with "sacred" as used in the OP.

My coffee maker?

 

[Vinayaka]

My coffee maker?

Coffee itself would be before that, no? What's a coffee maker without coffee?

 

[Secret Chief]

Coffee itself would be before that, no? What's a coffee maker without coffee?

Hmmm maybe you need both. And some water. And a cup. Maybe a biscuit too. It's all interconnected. And it is all empty (particularly my Illy tin).

 

[metis]

Oh, I have ample of those, thank you very much.

What I was trying to convey is that the notion of "sacred" has no visceral meaning for me. When I enter a mosque or temple, I remove my shoes, as is the custom -- but not because removing my shoes means anything to me. I'm just trying not to offend, but the gesture has no other meaning, for me.

I remove my shoes when going into anyone's home, including ours. It is uncouth to wear shoes in a house.

 

[JustGeorge]

I remove my shoes when going into anyone's home, including ours. It is uncouth to wear shoes in a house.

Shoes are uncouth...

 

[SalixIncendium]

I love and accept the Hindu concept of "We are That" [variation "I am That"], thus indeed the body is sacred. But we need to tap into That through prayer and meditation because it doesn't act like some sort of "automatic pilot". The Society of Friends [Quakers] refer to it as being the "Inner Light" that we need to tap into.

Love this thread, btw.

While I respect your view, this isn't exactly what the Hindu Mahavakya "tat tvam asi" (thou art that) means.

"I" points to one's true nature as the Atman, not the body. "That" is Brahman. Atman is identical to Brahman. Therefore, aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman).

The saying you quote really has nothing to do with the body.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Consider the thing in your life that you hold most dear. That would be synonymous with "sacred" as used in the OP.

I have. Here is what Wikipedia has to say: "Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects, or places."

The most dear thing to me is my partner -- but I don't worship him. I care for him (literally these days after he came down with Guillaine-Barre Syndrome), but when he cheeses me off, I let him know! That is very different from what Wiki describes above.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I have. Here is what Wikipedia has to say: "Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects, or places."

The most dear thing to me is my partner -- but I don't worship him. I care for him (literally these days after he came down with Guillaine-Barre Syndrome), but when he cheeses me off, I let him know! That is very different from what Wiki describes above.

Okay, great! Now that you've set the definition you'd like to use for the term, then perhaps you'd like to answer the questions posed in the OP.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Okay, great! Now that you've set the definition you'd like to use for the term, then perhaps you'd like to answer the questions posed in the OP.

What are your thoughts on the body? A sacred house for a holy spirit, a temporary vehicle to be cared for, or ran through the dirt to hopefully have a little fun before you depart?

My thoughts on my body are very simple: I and my body are one. Without it, I do not exist.

Therefore, my body is as important to me as life itself. But what if I somehow "lost myself?" What if I suffered total dementia, and had no awareness of who I am, who I love, what it's all about? Then, I'm afraid, my body would be nothing but a trap -- continuing to live and breathe without any purpose whatever. I would sincerely like somebody to pull the plug on that living and breathing then.

The problem with the whole OP is that it makes a rather implicit assumption that there are 2 "me's." A body and some other thing (presumably a "soul" that the OP calls "you"). I do not hold such an assumption. As I said -- I and my body are one. When either is gone, both are gone. -- or should be.

 

[metis]

While I respect your view, this isn't exactly what the Hindu Mahavakya "tat tvam asi" (thou art that) means.

"I" points to one's true nature as the Atman, not the body. "That" is Brahman. Atman is identical to Brahman. Therefore, aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman).

The saying you quote really has nothing to do with the body.

Thanks, but I believe the body and soul are connected and, as a matter of fact, I tend to believe everything is connected one way or the other.

 

[syo]

This body's a temple - a shoddy construction,
I'm digging my grave - while boring the well,
I'm paving a path to my own self destruction,
I won't be content 'til I see me in Hell.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

I had wanted to comment, but found myself divided on what I thought, or not yet able to answer. The body could represent several things. It could represent a temple, but it also could represent an animal, no different in essence, structurally, from that of a mud turtle, or dung beetle.

I have several tarot draws that could relate to the body, but I haven't the ability to yet interpret them. These draws seemed to feature the pentacle suit, in importance. This is traditionally the 'material' suit. Visually, I think that the pentacles looks like insects, with flowers and vegetation for arms and legs. This gives me the idea that the body is a 'kind of money,' as it seems to be something that is invested in, and something that can grow and develop, like a savings account. And it something that can be spent

In any case, part of one draw I did last year was asking about how the season of Spring worked. The first part of the draw was the 2 of swords, then the 8 of wands, then the reversed 3 of cups, and then the reversed 4 of pentacles.

Perhaps this can say something about the body. The earth is sort of like a human body. In my notes, I interpret the 2 here, as focusing mind and matter. But there is something unstable about the 2. It is energy that needs resolution: so then it journeys to expression in the 8 of wands.

The 8 of wands is the complete unit of creative energy, a set straight highways that deliver the stimulating bolts of electricity from nature. The 3 of cups are reversed - they spill this energy to the earth, to the body. They are a trinity: they pour on the mind, matter, and soul. The 'soul' was forged, perhaps, when the 8 of wands transmitted the energy of the initial 2 of swords

Then we come to the 4 of pentacles, reversed, which I don't have the best interpretation for. Though obviously, perhaps, it represents material, and represents the body. It could also represent the location where the 4 suits meet: which is the body.

Perhaps they are burrowing downward into the earth, and that is why they are not upright, though I am not exactly sure.

 

[Bird123]

I read a bit the other day on the concept that your body is sacred space. Its a concept I've found intriguing.

Most of us in Western culture have heard the reminder "your body is your temple". I think its a Biblical reference, and many times this statement is used to encourage some kind of physical purity or abstinence, and not to put 'lesser' substances into it(be it drugs, alcohol, or junk food). However, having spent several years as a Wiccan in my younger years, I'm reminded of the line from the Charge of the Goddess that states " all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals". Though trashing one's body is not recommended in Wicca, its not uncommon to find alcohol being used in a sacred setting, and responsible and consensual sexuality is looked on as a blessing to be engaged in, rather than a base instinct to be avoided. Here, we have two different views of the body as sacred space.

In Hindu thought, rather than having the more dual aspect of 'positive and negative', all things are said to contain the three gunas, tamas being the mode of sleep or ignorance, rajas being activity or passion, and sattva being balance and peace. Though you want to aim for sattva primarily, rajas and tamas have their place and are recommended at times. Foods and activities have these qualities, and by taking them in, we bring these qualities into our bodies. Yet another way of experiencing this 'space' we've been given.

With some ascetic practices(in various religions), rather than the body being seen as sacred, its seen as an obstacle, and there are many sense negating practices to hopefully break free from its impulses.

What are your thoughts on the body? A sacred house for a holy spirit, a temporary vehicle to be cared for, or ran through the dirt to hopefully have a little fun before you depart?

We are Spiritual beings in our true natures. Our physical bodies are our transportation in this physical world. Now, one can choose to drive it like an old man nice and easy or one can choose to run it in the ground like some youngsters. Each has that choice and will learn through the results.

It's so easy to limit one's view instead on seeing the entire picture. This reminds me of a story. Years ago when my true love was still alive, someone asked us a question. How would you answer?

If you knew of starving people, what one thing would you give them? I said Beans. You got to keep them alive. Beans would probably sustain someone more than almost any other food. My true love said Coffee.

My first reaction was: Has she lost her mind???

As I thought a while, I realized her answer was just as valid as mine. I gave to keep the body alive. She gave something for the soul. Perhaps, starving people, whose soul has been hurt through their experience, need the kindness and warmth of a good cup of coffee.

Together, we found the answer. One must feed the body to stay alive, however one must also feed the soul to stay alive. The connection between our physical and spiritual self is so good, it's easy to be convinced they are one. Both have needs.

As we take on our physical bodies, our transportation as you will, we must not be seduced into thinking this is who we are regardless of how much sensory input we receive. Like everything in this physical world, there comes a time when we will have to leave it all behind. Everything is borrow for our lessons at hand. At some point, one needs a new car.

That's what I see. It's very clear!!

 

[ajay0]

I see the physical body as a temporary vehicle , and one among many I have used in various points in space and time.

Inordinate attachment to the body should be abandoned, because all of us will eventually lose our youthful good looks and grow old and die.

At the same time the body should not be used carelessly, and should be subjected to due care and attention just as we do maintenance on our car or bike to ensure it functions properly and smoothly.

A healthy body is essential for both spiritual and material development. How much you grow in life depends on your mental clarity, and a healthy body is one of the factors that enables that.

“To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~ Buddha