From The DailyOM ~ Finding Balance

Earthbound
The Pursuit of Conscious Wholeness

Striking the right balance between our physical and spiritual aspects is one
of the most challenging aspects of existence. We are dual beings by nature,
spiritual entities bound to earth by physical bodies. In our lifetimes, we
are charged with the duty of nurturing and tending both with equal devotion
and love. Yet while both aspects of the self are deserving of honor and
respect, there is a tendency for people who are more spiritually focused to
ignore, avoid, or dismiss their bodies. Similarly, many individuals are
entirely ensconced in the carnal realm and pay no attention to the needs of
the soul. In both cases, an adjustment is in order. We are whole only to the
degree that we embrace both sides of our beings.

If the soul is the inward manifestation of our consciousness, the body is
the living, breathing expression of that consciousness. The physical self
provides the home in which the spiritual self takes root and flourishes.
Just as we must tend to the seed of the soul to ensure that it grows strong,
so, too, must we care for the protective shell that is the body to make
certain it is capable of playing its role in our development. Though there
will no doubt be times in our lives when we feel more comfortable focusing
on the spiritual self or the physical self, denying the fundamental
importance of one or the other can lead to ill health, emotional distress,
and a sense of incompleteness. Both facets of the human experience play a
vital role in our well-being.

The body and the soul are the yin and yang of our current reality. They are,
at this point of human evolution, irreparably bound together, and many
spiritual teachers agree that the body is one of the greatest vehicles
through which to access the soul. In fact, many believe that our spirit has
chosen to be embodied as an essential part of our spiritual development.
Consequently, it is the responsibility of each person on the planet to forge
a marriage between the two, so that these disparate aspects bring out the
best in each other, creating a vibrant, dynamic, and workable whole.