1. Understanding the Human Spirit
Let’s study to recognize how the structures of our being. The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the self-aware essence unique to a particular living being while the English word “spirit” comes from the Latin “spiritus” or breath. Some believe that Soul and Spirit are one and the same.
Based on my understanding, there are: the Air, Soul and Spirit exist together in the human body. When a person dies, the Spirit will directly go to see the Creator or this Spirit will be assigned into a new born baby, meanwhile his/her Soul and Air depart from the physical body.
The Air is known to have duality, that is the clean and the dirty Air. The Air and Spirit are just like magnet, when the Spirit goes to another body, the Air will follow, but whenever the Air cannot unite into one with the Spirit in the body due to the dirty Air in the previous body, then the baby is said to live in karma.
Temporary death is actually a separation between the Soul and the Air. While in coma, the Spirit still exists but the Soul is weak and there is no the Air. Some people who have the ability to conduct an Out-of-body Experience (OBE) takes the Soul and the Spirit to surf many spheres and even the universe, while the Air remains with the body; therefore they can still be alive during their OBE. This OBE activity is also known as Astral traveling.
If you notice the above explanation, it is certain that only the Spirit who can see the Creator and this very Spirit is the one who always understands the Assignment to accomplish the mission on earth through human being form. Therefore it is not a wrong notion at all that: No human can see the Creator.
2. Layers of Bodies in Human
To further understand the existence of our being ness, we can define our body into three major bodies, they are: etheric body (Spirit and Soul), mental and emotional body (Soul and Air) and physical body. These all are intertwined and related to one another.
2.1. Etheric Body
The Etheric Body is also known as transformational body (ether or having the form like ether, a condition between liquid and gas which is lighter than air and therefore capable of levitation and can pass through the space and time; besides this meaning, ether is also described as clear sky, which is a region higher than the air or clouds), this etheric body is the manifestation of the Spirit and Soul forming “similar twins to the physical body”, but its appearance is not always such. During the night, when we are asleep, usually this etheric body leaves our physical body to surf/travel through the space and time continuum to learn or explore things that have to do with its tasks. For some who have the ability to conduct an OBE consciously, this astral traveling is not a strange activity and as a result, they can utilize their ability to know and to understand the universe much further, even some learn in the higher dimensions finding their spiritual teachers and the wise entities who have been helpful to mankind to achieve awareness. It is a pity that many people are often made scared by some conditioning imposed by the religious dogma, which makes this invaluable gift for OBE considered strange or taboo and should not be practiced as this can jeopardize the person. Actually there are many truths that can be revealed that are beyond all religious doctrines, concepts, thought and weakness of human perceptions. That’s why human is also said as a multi dimensional being, because basically we can be present in several dimensions at once through several layers of our body.
Indeed, not everyone can realize their etheric bodies leaving, but sometimes we get the clue or hint in the form of informative mental pictures, known as “Dejavu” meaning: “having seen”. This kind of happening usually can only be aware at the moment when we are present in the actual physical event and we feel as if we had or knew the event, even though it is the first time that particular event happens. The unique thing is, our astral traveling experience through our etheric body is usually hidden from us or it is not easy to know. However, when a person practices his/her consciousness, he/she might be able to feel the astral traveling.
2.2. Mental and Emotional Body
This is what I often describe as the Soul, because this is the body that binds our Spirit to the physical body. For some people who can see the Aura (a field of luminous multicoloured radiation around a person or object), the mental and emotional body is seen as luminous radiating energy which can resemble the physical body shape, but sometimes this can be irregular shape and the colours also change. The changes are caused by the condition of the person’s mental and emotion. Mentally healthy person with much less emotion will have brighter luminous Aura, clear colour and solid to follow his/her body shape or even far greater than his/her physical body. While for the sick person or physically weak one, he/she will have fade Aura colour and sometimes darker.
2.3. Physical Body
As we all have known, this consists of : bones, flesh, muscles, blood vessels, glands, internal organs, nerval system, skin and hair.
To deeply comprehend this physical body, we have to get rid of our illusions and perceptions, then we travel into the microscopic nature of our physical body, in which we shall find that we have not been precise to conceptualize our body. Followings are 7 inappropriate understandings about our body:
1. Our body is “solid”. What we see as “solid” in our body, is actually not as it happens. In the truest sense, the majority of our body is empty. This can be seen through endoscope instrument or by magnifying any body tissues and cells through powerful electron microscope.
2. Our body is individual. In the truest sense, we are always in the constant molecular exchange with other bodies (this means: the planets, stars, moon, earth, sun, galaxies, particles, cosmic dust, etc. that exist in the universe), which will defy that certain body belongs to us.
3. Our body is stable. In the truest sense, our body always change constantly. All the cells are to be replaced with the new ones in every five years. Are the cells not individually alive?. They cooperate hand in hand to achieve their goals.
4. Our body remains still. In the truest sense, our body does not remain still, it constantly moves together with other bodies, either small or big in the universe. Doesn’t every atom move?, so does every cell. In short, from the smallest until the biggest also moves.
5. Our body comes from the earth. In the truest sense, our body is formed not only from the egg of our mother and our father’s sperms, but it is also formed from the material energies that have been in existence since 14 billions years ago. The Sage say that our body comes from cosmic dust.
6. Our body is without thought. In the truest sense, our body is blessed with the ability to feel, despite of our brain functions. In other words, our brain is not the only one that can “think”. Body tissues and our internal organs that are separated from the brain seem to have the nature similar to the brain. That’s why every cell of our body can be traced to be taken as a DNA sample test.
7. The body is me. In the truest sense, we are not body or others that have: breath, memory, thought, emotion and desires. We are everything that support the whole, penetrating and infiltrating to all. That’s why for those who really comprehend it will say that human is a multi dimensional entity.
When we are ill, many of us seldom pay more attention to having more freedom to contemplate this greater reality, or even to collect energy for practice.
Every creation that exists in the universe and has been known to man surely has label or given a name by us. This is the results of our intelligent thoughts since we know the language, which is also the wonderful blessings from our Creator, that make us so enthusiastic to name anything we found. This naming is also a tradition inherited to us by our ancestors which we still use till to day.
In the beginning, many races apply the naming to themselves based on their professions. Then, this naming system developed to giving the names that showed the parent’s family name or ancestor’s names.
You might have heard Tao’s philosophy (Tao was introduced by Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher who lived during the East Zhou Dynasty, 770 – 256BC) that states:
Tao (way) that can be described, is not the truest Tao and the name given is not the real one.
The following statement came from esoteric source which is difficult to translate into English, as a result I keep the Indonesian quoted:
Aku adalah Aku, saya adalah saya dan Aku adalah saya, saya adalah Aku tapi Aku bukanlah saya, dan saya bukanlah Aku, Aku dan saya adalah satu.
The above statement can be very confusing for those who cannot comprehend it. May be the following illustration can inspire us:
If I were the only existence in the universe (in the meantime, just consider that I “know” there is only I alone exist). But, at the same time I also “do not know” who I really am. Why? Because there are no others, so how can I know that I am that I am? further more, do I still need to give name to me? What is the use of the name if there is no one and nothing?. This is actually the beginning of everything. So, in order to know, I made myself into various existence. In reality, there are so many of us, so we feel that we need to give name or label to each and every one of us and the others as well.
Following quote from the Chinese Tao Te Ching is worth to ponder:
Tao is a “way” to going down from everything
Though it is named Tao, but it is always without name. The mind names it only through words, the brain thinks only through thought. But Tao is different, something primary, that is neither words nor thought. Who knows, what is that?. It is in the tiniest part of everything, and in the biggest part of everything.
When the whole one has been divided and disappeared, names are given to its parts. When the names and the parts disappear, they become the whole one.
As if all the parts from the whole one were river that flew to the sea. Think to going down. Move along with the river to exceed the words and thought heading towards the mixed source.
Neither in the parts nor in the whole one, Tao is “way” to going down from everything. Therefore “way” is everything, so move on.
Do you know: what is the most beautiful and the first gift given to the birth of a human baby? It is of course a name!. The name presented or given to the child, can either be very meaningful or not. This depends on the child’s perception. And as usual, the name becomes an identity with the person, even when the person dies, his/her name will still exist and be remembered by others. So, it is understood that generally people will be very furious when his/her name is being mocked. But, let’s observe that the name is not the real name, is it? The name only functions as an identity, and it is in fact an identity. Because there is greater essence and very meaningful for the development and the growth of the Spirit and the Soul of the person.
3.2. Label for Occupational Post
There are some people who still focuses for the occupational post or titles. They become so occupied with the post labels that they have forgotten who they really are. The following example may be useful: A is a married man with his own family, he has a wife and two daughters. His job is a self-employed teacher for foreign language and project manager. Notice that A has four functional activities: a husband, a father, a teacher and a project manager in building construction. When A is walking with his wife, for people who know them will say that A is the husband of his wife, then when A is walking together with his two daughters, others will say that A is the father of his two daughters. When A is teaching his students, they will call him teacher. When he is working on construction site, his fellows with call him Project Manager. This is a fact that the labels for occupational post must not always be applicable at all time. Of course A can misuse his position to get something useful and for his own benefit, but when we have this kind of “misuse thinking pattern”, we will be trapped into our own ego. How must we behave or be in the role without being trapped into “misuse thinking pattern”?. There is only one answer: Be ourselves and always be aware that we do not have the right for everything!. When we realize that we are extraordinary while at the same time we also realize that our existence in the universe is not really extraordinary compared to the whole, we will become modest and humble persons, full of understanding and this can raise our love and passionate integrity.
On the contrary, the greater our ego, the greater we identify ourselves with labels, such as: name, occupational post, ranking position, title, quality which makes everything tend to stick to the material or physical world. This can happen due to the lack of appropriate understanding from our own thinking pattern, as well as our weakness in letting our own conscience to create.
Governor Takeshi visited Zen Master
A Governor named Takeshi visited Zen Master to ask for his advice. When he arrived at the Master’s house, a senior disciple greets him.
Takeshi, “I am the Governor of this province, I will meet your Master. Is your Master at home?”
The disciple, “Just a moment I shall see inside.”
Then the disciple quickly entered inside and met his Master telling the arrival of the Governor.
The Zen Master said, “I do not know the Governor and I have no concern with the Governor, ask him to leave and tell him that I am not here.”
The disciple went out to the Gate and conveyed what his Master’s message. Governor Takeshi was shocked and his face blushed, but he immediately became aware and said to the disciple, “Convey the greetings from Takeshi who wants to see the Master.”
The disciple ran back into the house and conveyed what Takeshi said.
The Master, “Ah, Takeshi wants to see me?, tell him to enter here quickly. I have been expecting him.”
Now we see that just to pay a visit, an unaware person can use his/her “label” which he/she should have left it far before his/her arrival and it has nothing to do with his/her activity at that particular time and place.
Let’s observe and contemplate what have been done by most of the politicians, government officials who do not have the proper awareness and conscience. Aren’t many of them still obsessed and attached to their own labels?. Then, almost everyone lets this happen and follow this improper attitude as if the labels became important and so sacred, but were traded with big amount of money!. Too many people focus on this occupational post label, not to the work that they should do or their job descriptions. Think about this.
The above also happens with the titles and achievements, such as: champion. Actually the real champion lasts only for the minutes when it is announced, the rest is not a champion any more. Is there a profession that bears the name champion?. This often deceives the person who holds the champion and makes his/her life lived in the shadow of the “champion” which causes the person cannot enjoy his/her presence in the moment of NOW-HERE. Therefore, it is wise for us not to attach to the labels or any achievements so as to make us free from unnecessary burdens. Besides, those labels are not eternal, are they?.
3.3. Ego, Prestige and Pride
This is the Master’s condition:
Always cheerful
“How cheerful the Master is,” said a guest.
A disciple responded, “Man will always go in cheerful pace if he has thrown away the burden known as ego.”
Few of us may have heard a statement saying: Overcome yourself or your greatest enemy is yourself.
Let’s analyze what the real meaning of the above statement is. As having been explained before, that human comprises of different “bodies”: etheric body, mental and emotional body, and physical body that they all form the human “self”. In the experience to live as human being, the whole parts of these “bodies” play important role together, and here comes the difficulty: if all the bodies cannot go hand in hand, in proper balance and in full harmony, it will definitely cause some imbalances in the life of the human. In certain situation and condition, the imbalance can make the person become very selfish, arrogant and obstinate or even he/she will be worried, anxious and scared. This can also cause disharmony in small scale and broader scale, namely the person him/herself with the effect to the related environment/community. I believe that in this universe, all other creations (except human and their creations) are very harmonious and balanced, meaning: when there is an exaggeration in one side, there will surely be a lack in the other side; so is the other way round and this will continue until a continual balance is reached in such a way that exists in the set cycle.
It seems that the ancient understood the “bodies”, no wonder they advise us to always be alert by conveying the above statement.
Actually, “prestige” is a “lost” in a sense for the person who tries to keep it; if we see it through behaviour perspective, then the person who keeps the prestige for “something”, at the same time he/she have to spend much of his/her resource, such as: money, energy, effort, and time. Some may respond by saying: “What is the meaning of the lost?, isn’t it my own endeavour? Can I not enjoy it?.” He/she could be right. Let’s review: who is actually being satisfied by the “prestige”?, it is the person’s ego who really enjoys it; if this continued in longer period, after some time such person would become proud/arrogant, that could make him/her a calculating person in many aspects, even in the friendship which could cause the imbalance in his/her etheric body, mental and emotional body and the physical body.
Let’s observe people who are humble, they are people who want to have friends with anyone and in any conditions without being prominent, neither being the right ones nor self-interest. In their friendship with various social strata, these people are honoured and praised by the society. What happens to those who are so proud of their “prestige”? They would face the hypocrites and some people would show their dejection against the “prestige”, unfortunately they are not consciously aware. Why? Because they are too focused to their “prestige”, ego and pride that covers themselves through their attachment to the labels, titles, achievements, and the like!. This should be kept away from their thinking pattern as the Sage says.
The thought in human’s mind often plays around with the human and it is difficult to control. If we observe carefully, our thought doesn’t want to stop thinking even a moment!. This is the weakness and the lack of our thought which become more prominent, though we proudly label ourselves as “human”, the word “human” in Sanskrit means “controllable mind”. No wonder the Sage always says: overcome yourself, this would certainly mean that besides our ego, our mind should also be controlled or tamed.
Notice when we are being praised by somebody, apart from the sincere praise or not, our mind or ego will react directly on this.
Here is an interesting anecdote to ponder:
Putting off “I”
Disciple, ”I came to devote you.”
Master, “Should you put off “I”, the devotion would automatically occur.”
Then, how do we put off this “I”?. It’s easy, by understanding that the mind pattern and awareness that we are not who we are and we are not what we are, by then we are not easily disturbed by others’ words. Notice how the “I” often feel disturbed when someone expresses “something” which according to the “I” cannot accept or it’s not pleasing one. People with more “I” tend to be easily disturbed by the words of others concerning the opinion, advices, suggestions or prohibitions; especially when they are expressed in a strong critic. Of course the “I” would react more strongly and spontaneously. One of the signs that a person has greater “I” is: he/she is used to saying “do not like” of someone, something, attitude or others’ words.
Let’s observe people with less “I”, of course this is relative, only others can know or realize exactly. Usually such people (with less “I”), are easy to talk to, to have discussion in many topics, they tend to have willingness to learn from others and will try to correct their thinking pattern and themselves; they are also good listeners and are willing to understand the situation and condition of others.
Hope you enjoy my articles
