Too often in our quest to become more spiritual, we forget to honor our human experience as well. I have found myself in the past forgetting that ALL of my experiences are sacred, from the most amazing clear visions of the Divine in meditation to the lowest emotional points that I have ever been at. In a spiritual sense, it is all an illusion, and yet- from our human experience, it is all so very (sometimes painfully) real. Both perspectives are needed, in combination, to get the most out of being a spiritual being living within a human body.
Some of the things that we take for granted every day are things that you will only experience in this way during your time on Earth. Tasting chocolate. Having amazing sex with someone you feel so deeply connected to. Feeling the breath of your child on your skin as she falls asleep in your arms. Riding your bike into the wind. Dancing in the rain. All of these sensual experiences are to be cherished, and cataloged in your memory of what it feels like to have a physical body. Allow joy in your life every day by basking in these moments when they arise.
Sometimes the things you will experience in your physical body are not so pleasant, sometimes even deeply painful. This is when it can help to honor both sides of your experience. Recognize that, in a spiritual sense, this trauma is not real- it is an illusion. It exists to teach you a lesson. It could be as simple as learning that you have the ability to get out of bed every day and be strong enough to overcome. It could be that, once you have healed, your experience is preparing you to help other people through similar situations. Beyond the spiritual perspective, though, honor your human experience as well. Be devastated if that’s what you feel. Allow a range of emotional expression to move through you- cry, scream, laugh, talk, be silent, dance, run, hug, sleep, cry again- until you have reached the bottom of the emotional well inside and it has been emptied. Then, look up again and climb back toward the light above. You will find that when you reach the top of the well, it’s like the ground has been raised up six feet from where you started. This is how we expand ourselves in this human world. And, just like all the joys and pleasures we find, this too is a sacred experience.
Mantra of the day: I honor all aspects of who I am, Spiritual and Human. All of my experiences are sacred, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, because each one is a chance to learn something new.