Spirit in Life
There are times in every one's life when utter exhaustion, overwhelming odds or other disaster confronts us; when super human strength or unknown reserves are called for. When there is no time left to think, when logically we can't see our way clear, but in spite these obstacles we get through. That is the realm of spirit, the zone of the unknown.
Beyond science, in a culture that has flourished on scientific method; beyond logic in a world where explanations are demanded; beyond proof where proof calls for division and analysis of cause and effect; literally beyond belief where belief is laid down from, or limited to personal experience and justification; beyond all these things spirit is.
When we are born in physical form, we come with a DNA blue print that sets a path for our physical formation and imprints character traits, including an innate desire to survive. In the drama and excitement of birth the spiritual aspect is often overlooked. At best the new baby is considered as a new soul and from crib to crematorium any thought of spirit is couched in similes. Where the soul came from, or how it came about is not as clear. We come from spirit and are always spirit like steam condensing to water on the way to becoming ice form, it never ceases to be water. Why spirit? Because there is life, and life needs us to live itself through form. Life and spirit are synonymous just like water is wet. Form is never constant, always there is change, which provides conflict and reason for living. It sure wouldn't be much fun being a bubble of chaotic energy; unless Hollywood was created first and the script called for music and folk to dance, and places to hang out after dancing and emotions and competition, wages, food; none of which are permanent; all of which eventually return to the source.
We are known as human beings but it would be more accurate to call us human doings, or humans doing their being. Man has tried to understand spirit, and myths and legends abound as a result of the basic need to know self. Spirit divides and forms sub spirits or souls, each thinks it is separate from the rest. In this soul form there lies an innate desire to be as one, though the excitement and challenge of living usually gets in the way. This innate part is known as our higher self or super consciousness which was eluded to in the opening paragraphs, and is our bridge between terrestrial and celestial; between finite and infinite.
Other beliefs see female deities, or combination of yin /yang. The ancient Vedas had a concept of three forces representing a complex system of knowing, knower and known (Rishi, devata and chhandras) which is the basis of a complex health system handed down to the terrestrial level in the form of ayvadic medicine. It's worth noting that the Vedas have divinity built in (devata) just as Christians have a holy spirit.
At the level we are on now, which is the top floor we must not select one item without considering the relationship with every other item. Human souls are sealed units, unable to function without a body and are foreign to our mind which insists on seeing things as bits. In Hindu belief the soul is the Atman the connection to the unity of Brahman. But these are just words, like the finger pointing to the moon; it is not the moon. Call it God or Zeus, Big Mind, Big Heart; they are just words representing concepts. Taoist say that he who speaks doesn't know and he who knows doesn't speak. At the end of it all as man discovers himself is just spirit doing the looking at itself, and calling it life. That too is a concept until you stop reading, forget time, let go and feel your spirit within. Just 5 miutes trial will make your reading worth while.