Many cultures around the world speak of the body as a temple, a sacred place in which we inhabit. This universal message speaks to the inherent connection between body and spirit, for the wisdom keepers the world over remind us that within this temple resides the soul. From what we eat, even what we wear to how we exercise, and what ideas we fill our head all these constitute care for this temple. Fasting was and still is encouraged, not as a means to lose weight, but as a way to cleanse the temple. Likewise meditation is a means to fast the mind’s mental chitter-chatter, produced by the ego. The ego too, can make a mess of the temple. For millennia, wisdom keepers have reminded us to not only honor our bodies, but to honor the temple within; to honor the body-spirit connection. And true to form, this message is often unheeded today. Nutrition habits are abysmal. Exercises habits are not much better. Everywhere on the planet ego’s have run amuck. Simple stated, the state of the body temple is not only stressed, it’s a mess! To quote your mother, “Clean your room!”
Stress Tip for The Day:
What is your relationship with your body? Do you view it as a temple… or a convenient store? Are you what you eat? Do you feed your head with negative news and junk food entertainment? Does your temple need a good sweeping with a broom (perhaps a shovel)? Consider the concept of the fast today, but not as missing calories or news content, but as a way to cleanse the temple of your body-mind. In doing so, take comfort in the emptiness where the divine resides within. Honor your temple!
Links/Books/Movies Worth Noting:
Sometimes cleansing the temple means clearing out some emotional baggage as well. This film (link) won an award at the Cannes Film Festival for short (3 min) film… Enjoy
www.porcelainunicorn.com
This is the page/link where I pull the two quotes below and there were so
many, I decided to include the link here. Enjoy!
http://www.quotegarden.com/body.html
Quote for the Day:
“ To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. ” —Buddha
“Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.” —William Shakespeare
Photo of the Day:
The Earth (by extension) is also a temple, and although the entire planet is sacred, many places are considered the epitome of sacredness, including the Tetons. This group of the Tetons is known as the Cathedral Group. Enjoy.
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 12 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart, Managing Stress (7E) and his forthcoming book, A Beautiful World; The Earth Songs Journals. He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
