State of Being
by J. Harry
Here are two dimensions to our state of being. The first is the physical dimension, which is essential for life in a material universe. The physical body enables us to interact productively with elements in the physical domain through the work of the five senses. It is through our bodies that we navigate the material aspects of life, and in this way, the physical dimension is both immediate and undeniably significant.
The second dimension is the spiritual dimension, which is significantly less obvious than our physicality. This obscurity often causes our spirituality to be overlooked, discounted, misunderstood, and otherwise neglected. Yet, the spiritual dimension is enduring—it is our true essence and is immortal, while the physical body is decidedly mortal.
The physical body is controlled by the brain and directed by the mind, wherein resides the ego, or our false self. The ego is focused on survival, self-gratification, and self-aggrandizement. It constantly seeks to protect itself, accumulate more, and prove its worth. Our physical selves are often preoccupied with these desires, driven by the demands of our egos to seek pleasure and avoid pain, to survive and thrive in a world that often feels uncertain and precarious.
In contrast, the spiritual body is symbolized by the heart. It is within the heart that our true self resides—a self that is unconcerned with death, indulgence, or earthly rewards. This true self is oriented toward relationship with God and service to others. The heart is where our truth dwells unchallenged and where love originates. Unlike the ego, which is driven by fear and the desire for control, the spirit is motivated by love, compassion, and the longing for connection.
Jesus declared that he came to write the law upon our hearts. His teachings were not about adhering to rigid external rules, but about transforming our inner selves. Jesus taught the freeing of the mind from the enslavement to the ego and self-love, and invited us to embrace the love of God and love of neighbor that dwells in the heart.
This transformation—from a life dominated by the ego to a life led by the spirit—is a journey of surrender. It requires us to let go of our attachment to the physical, to our desires for control, power, and recognition, and to place our trust in something greater than ourselves. It is a journey from the false self, which is fleeting and bound to the limitations of the physical world, to the true self, which is eternal and rooted in divine love.
The spiritual dimension calls us to move beyond mere survival and self-gratification. It invites us to live in the presence of God, to serve others selflessly, and to find our identity not in what we possess or achieve, but in the love we give and receive. In embracing our spiritual nature, we find freedom from the fears that bind us and the anxieties that the ego feeds upon. We discover a deeper, abiding peace that is not contingent on our circumstances but is rooted in the knowledge that we are loved by God and that our true essence is eternal.
The journey of transformation is not without its challenges. It requires us to confront our fears, to question our attachment to the physical, and to be willing to surrender our ego-driven desires. But in doing so, we open ourselves to the profound joy and fulfillment that come from living in harmony with our true spiritual nature. We come to understand that our purpose is not merely to exist, but to love, to serve, and to grow in our relationship with God.
Ultimately, the physical and spiritual dimensions of our being are not opposed to one another but are intended to work in harmony. Our physical life provides us with the opportunity to express our spiritual nature in tangible ways—to love others, to care for creation, and to live out the divine purpose that God has placed within us. When we allow the spirit to lead, the physical becomes an instrument of love and service, rather than a means of self-indulgence or self-preservation. In this way, we live fully, embracing both the physical and the spiritual, and we find our true fulfillment in the love of God and the life to come.