My Atman vs my physical body

[Arduinna]

Funny thing, I go through life experiencing it mostly as my atman (higher self) yet I have taken form in a physical body that must have some purpose. Or lesson. I just haven't figured out what it is. I recognise (for me) the connection between my body mind and spirit. I accept that my illnesses have served a need for me, and I have figured out what that need is. Not sure if it is the same need that this physical body is expressing.

Does the very fact that I question what lesson this physical body is trying to teach me mean that I haven't accepted it? I'm not sure. Is being over weight an illness? I'm not sure. Obviously I've created the situation myself. It's just wierd because I as go about my day I just experience myself as my atman self usually. I feel free, light and good.

I know that someone must know where I am coming from......Ladylee?? Darshani ??

Is my physical self really reflecting my inner self? Or is the point to realize that I am not my body but only my atman?

[Lindy]

Good questions!

I have a tendancy to seperate my physical self and my inner self. My inner self being the real me. But I'm not sure that is what I should do, it's just natural for me. I've always done it even when I was very little. I believe that what you think inwardly will manifest on the outside.

I do not think being overweight is an illness. Our society puts way too much emphasis on weight. There was a study that showed that Polynesian woman who were big, were just as healthy as the smaller woman because in their society there is no weight stigma. So I don't see any point in trying to lose weight. I think spending time loving yourself is a better use of time than dieting.

I'm just trying to live, the lessons and learning just come without much effort.

Um, I quess that's all I have to say, I'll check this thread to see what others have to say.

[ladylee]

--I'll be back...

[ladylee]

Integration/union

One of my favorite subjects--thank you for starting this, Arduinna. I ask myself similar questions and am ever mindful of the limitations of my physical body. It is also important to me to feel as fully-integrated as possible, so several concepts are present in my awareness. My personal perspective is rooted in Raja yoga, which I will grossly simplify here for point of discussion. This puts forth that yes, the first step toward union is through the body, or Hatha yoga:

"...to teach the purpose, significance and use of their various organs so that they could consciously control them, and the meaning of the symbol of the human figure. Therefore...through the practice of Hatha yoga, the human being reaches the portal of initiation."

The next stages are transformation of the personality, stabilizing the etheric body & development of the astral and psychic natures & development of mysticism & devotion, then finally Raja yoga to evolve humanity. (It's interesting to note that my Raja yoga text says "the tide of spiritual life has steadily flowed westward and we may now look for a corresponding climax in the West, which will reach its zenith between the years 1965 and 2025.)

But back to the "higher self" concept--my text then goes on to say "any return to Hatha yoga practices are from a certain aspect a retrogression. It will be found that through the practice of Raja yoga and through assuming that point of directional control which is to be found by the man who centers his consciousness in the soul, the other forms of yoga are unnecessary, for the greater Yoga automatically includes all the lesser in its results, though not in its practices."

I interpret this as saying by focusing on our soul, our physical selves will automatically become integrated with our other parts. You can go either way toward union--start at the bottom and work up, or start at the top and work down, in a sense . I love to travel between my different "levels"--sometimes I'm in my lower three chakras, other times in my upper threes. My ideal spot is, of course, the place where all six meet--the heart chakra.

As far as health & weight & other aspects of the physical body are concerned, my opinion is that if the chakras are open and energy is free to flow unblocked then a person is healthy regardless of what shape their physical body takes. And in terms of quantum healing/energy anatomy, I do believe that energy follows thought, and physical symptoms follow energy. These don't have to be viewed as negative, fearful process--it may be a karmic lesson we create for ourselves as a means of initiating personal transformation.

I could go on and on, but I think that's enough for now. Be interested to hear what others think .

[Arduinna]

Thanks you guys, lots to ponder. I've also wondered about the karmic connection to my situation. Of course it could just be that more healing is needed?

[ladylee]

I hope much is revealed to you in your ponderings, Arduinna. And if it isn't, I hope you find peace in not knowing, too.