by Patrick Cruz
With a lot of things occupying our heads, most of the time we forget the most basic things that we should do. In our desire to accomplish as many things as possible in a given day so that we can relax later on, it seems that we have already forgotten to reach the hands of our parents whenever we come back from school, to kiss our grandparents, to have short conversations with our professors, to help children cross the street and so much more. On the other hand, even if some people still do these things, they may have done these out of routine, without any further clarification of what these actions mean to them.
So, I say, body is necessary, but not a sufficient condition for existence. Yes, necessary, but not sufficient. We have to have body in order for us to exist, but body is not simply and not only the condition. We still have our particular inwardness or depth in us that is expressed in every way through our body and we must make it realized. We act uniquely based on our spirit and it is from here that the meaning of our actions must be derived. This meaning to actions then immortalizes the actions themselves as it raises the physical expression into deeper spiritual one, with the I that lies within us-- who gets hurt but still remains grateful, who falls but still hopes and who gets weary but still chooses to be happy. However, as mentioned earlier, the body is still deeply significant because it serves not only as medium of expression, but as a part of that expression. Our body contributes to the unique expression of our being in this world.
Thus, body and spirit are mutually dependent with each other, making them an indissoluble unity. Body and spirit we must be. With these two totally unified, they create a much fuller expression of our being in this world. They allow us to desire more to be better persons—more loving, more forgiving, etc. They deepen more our participation in the greater whole and for the greater whole. Body and spirit, we must say Yes to Life and continually work at it.
One of the things I've learned from this 101 class is that it's important to pay attention to other people, to take to time to appreciate being with other people. I like how you used that to develop the theme of the body and mind being mutually dependent. It's understandable and easy to relate to because it's grounded on concrete human experience.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I especially liked this line: "This meaning to actions then immortalizes the actions themselves as it raises the physical expression into deeper spiritual one, with the I that lies within us-- who gets hurt but still remains grateful, who falls but still hopes and who gets weary but still chooses to be happy." These past few days have been reminding of the importance of resilience, moving past hurt and disappointment to stay hopeful. It's what's saving me from being too heartbroken over our loss against UST. :P I like the contrasts you included in that sentence.
- Veronica Jereza (C)
I see what you mean in saying that the body is necessary but not sufficient. I, too, believe that the spiritual and material sides of a person have an indissoluble unity. Both should be nourished and taken care of equally, rather than either being ignored or valued much more highly than the other. For example, in order to greet my mother every day, I must have the love and sincerity in my spirit and the will in my body to do so.
ReplyDelete- Clara de los Santos (C)
I like what you say that body is necessary but not a sufficient condition for existence. We as human beings exist and experience this world through our body, but soon we realize that our body is not just a medium for us to live, to express, and to be with others; but our body is actually in unity with our spirit, our inner being in such a way that our body shows our unique and distinct history and experience. Thus, we must not see our body as a separated object, or just a cover of our spirit. We must see our body as equally as our spirit, and look forward to integrate them by immersing ourselves into this world with others.
ReplyDeleteSo, Wai Yiu (A)
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ReplyDeleteI find your explanation between body and spirit to be truly important in each one of us. As an individual,I also feel that life is quite empty if I focus to much on the body aspect for existing. It seems that I am reducing myself to some object that doesn't have any meaning at all, thus, it is as though I'm living life only on the surface. This is were the spirit comes in. The spirit contributes to a fuller understanding of oneself, as you have said, through unique actions, and this perhaps shows that people have an intrinsic value that should be recognized to fully see the deeper meaning of life. -Johann Pe(A)
ReplyDeleteI really believe that existence or to exist in this world doesn't just require for our body to be here on this earth or to be present. Just like what was mentioned in this blog post "body is necessary, but not a sufficient condition for existence. Yes, necessary, but not sufficient. We have to have body in order for us to exist, but body is not simply and not only the condition."
ReplyDeleteTo exist, it must really involve the spirit. It's what makes us-us or it is what makes us unique. This is also how we interact or build relationship with others. & it is through interactions & experiences with others wherein we really feel alive or we feel that we exist. With that, the body & the spirit should be or are in unity.
- Finina Muñoz (C)
I agree with you that it's not enough for just our bodies to be involved with the world. I think when we use our bodies to communicate to the world the spirit has to be there. We must act with conviction, with both body and spirit. We can't be empty shells nor can we be spirits dwelling within and around ourselves. We are both as Marcel said.
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, the article stresses the importance of dialogue in existing. Dialogue here though doesn't necessarily mean words, but different forms of communication. If we don't speak out or interact, we are still invisible regardless of having a body. As you've said, that's inadequate way of existing because we truly exist when we let our spirits come out. Without our spirit, we are reduced into objects, like robots. To be truly human, we have to connect with other humans. Thanks for the good read!
ReplyDelete- Laura Hein (A)
I like how you gave importance to both the body and the spirit. You showed how as we grow up, our spirit tends to give importance to different things and due to this, our body follows. You have made me realise also that I have taken things for granted. I am guilty of not giving attention to people who have been with me all my life. To live a better life, I will strive to give these people more importance.
ReplyDeleteStephen Vera Cruz (A)
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ReplyDeleteI think it all stems from the fact that the starting point for reflection is LIVED experience. Our experience comes from us receiving it through our bodies, which we then reflect on and then derive insights from. It is this connection wherein body and soul experience a unity, and for me this is why they are inseparable. Body and soul are needed hand in hand to have a complete human experience.
ReplyDeleteMiguel Co (A)