In an earlier post I wrote about what it means to me to be mindful of spirit. Put briefly it means being aware of spirit and attending to it closely. It means that when we encounter another animated being (and what isn't animated?) we do not just attend to how the other looks, sounds, smells and moves. We also pay attention to the other's spirit, that which makes the other alive.
I do not think I would be writing about being mindful of spirit if I thought most of us already are mindful of spirit. I write about it because I think most of us aren't mindful of spirit. That's right, I believe that for the most part we're mindless of spirit. As such we're missing out on the essence of life itself. We're missing out on what actually makes us alive rather than dead. More than that, we're harming ourselves and others in our mindlessness.
Being mindless of other's bodies can lead to unintentionally harming them physically. Being mindless of other's feelings can lead to unintentionally harming them emotionally. Likewise, being mindless of others' spirits can lead to unintentionally harming that which animates them and makes them alive rather than dead. Such mindlessness can lead to broken spirits. Attending to what makes us alive rather than dead seems like an important thing to me.
There is a good bit of public discussion going on about manners and civility . There is an outcry about a lack of both, especially in on-line communications. The outcry is possible because there is a history of good manners and civility with which to compare current behavior. Manners and civility are generally agreed on practices by which we avoid harming each other's bodies and emotions. For example, we generally agree that it is rude to hit or insult another person without just cause. We generally agree that it is a good thing to avoid physically injuring another person or hurting their feelings.
That being said, what is the etiquette for spirit? Is there such a thing? If there is I don't know what it is. If you know, please tell me.
If there is no etiquette for spirit, why isn't there? I suggest that it's because we are for the most part mindless of spirit. If we were mindful of our own and other's spirit, we would have an etiquette for spirit. We would have generally agreed on practices for how to avoid harming each other's spirit and treat each other's spirit well.
In later posts, I'll write more about an etiquette for spirit. For this post, I simply wanted to raise the awareness of our mindlessness of spirit.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
What I believe about spirit
I believe in spirit. Spirit is that which animates, makes alive. I live because of spirit. All that lives lives because of spirit. Spirit is life.
I believe that spirit is of this world rather than an other world. Spirit is as this-worldly as our breath. Spirit is natural rather than supernatural, as natural as the wind.
That I believe in spirit means that I not only believe that spirit exists but I also trust it. I rely on spirit for my life. Spirit is my life.
I believe that everything I encounter is spirited, animated, alive: the sun, moon, planets and stars; the wind, lightning, and clouds; birds and bugs; trees, flowers and shrubs; rivers, streams, and springs; animals on land and in the seas; even Earth herself and her stones. We're all alive.
I value spirit and believe that spirit is worth my close, sustained attention.
I believe that spirits are both alike and different. We are all spirits and yet each one is unique.
I believe that life is richer and healthier for all when we pay close attention to spirit.
I believe that spirit has been and still is neglected and undervalued in Western cultures.
I believe the obstacles to increasing our experience, love, knowledge, wisdom, and mastery of spirit can be overcome.
I believe that overcoming obstacles to spirit and being more mindful of spirit will significantly improve life for everyone.
I believe that spirit is of this world rather than an other world. Spirit is as this-worldly as our breath. Spirit is natural rather than supernatural, as natural as the wind.
That I believe in spirit means that I not only believe that spirit exists but I also trust it. I rely on spirit for my life. Spirit is my life.
I believe that everything I encounter is spirited, animated, alive: the sun, moon, planets and stars; the wind, lightning, and clouds; birds and bugs; trees, flowers and shrubs; rivers, streams, and springs; animals on land and in the seas; even Earth herself and her stones. We're all alive.
I value spirit and believe that spirit is worth my close, sustained attention.
I believe that spirits are both alike and different. We are all spirits and yet each one is unique.
I believe that life is richer and healthier for all when we pay close attention to spirit.
I believe that spirit has been and still is neglected and undervalued in Western cultures.
I believe the obstacles to increasing our experience, love, knowledge, wisdom, and mastery of spirit can be overcome.
I believe that overcoming obstacles to spirit and being more mindful of spirit will significantly improve life for everyone.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Esprit de corps
A little over a week ago, my wife and I drove to Parris Island, SC for our son's graduation from Marine boot camp. It was a two day event. Thursday was Family Day. Friday was Graduation Day.
During the three months of boot camp we had only traditional hand-written letters from our son once a week at most. Family Day was the first time since before boot camp we saw our son. We were filled with anticipation and excitement.
Family Day started with a ceremony in the All Weather Training Facility which began with a video that gave us an overview of all our son and the other 700+ recruits did in boot camp. At one point in the presentation the narrator said that one purpose of the training was to create "esprit de corps" among the recruits. Because I am mindful of spirit, as soon as I heard the phrase "esprit de corps" I was aroused and began wondering what exactly "esprit de corps" is. I've heard the phrase many times throughout my life but never looked into it to learn more about it. My investigation began with some on-line dictionaries.
According to the The Free Dictionary esprit de corp is "a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group." According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary it is "the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group."
Note that both definitions use the words "common spirit" and "group". The idea is that a group can have a single spirit.
Esprit de corps is a French phrase used first in 1780. Esprit is the French word for spirit or breath. Corps is the French word for body. Related words are corporeal, corporation, corpse, Translated literally it is "spirit of the body." The body in esprit de corps is a corporate body, a unified group that acts as a whole.
After the video the Company First Sargent marched out and addressed the crowd. When he finished, the music started, the large hanger-like door at the far end of the building began to rise, and the new Marines marched into the building. There were over seven hundred young men and women grouped into nine platoons. Each platoon marched as one multi-legged and armed body. Its head was the Drill Instructor shouting the orders. Each platoon marched as a segment of the entire multi-platooned company. I could feel the common spirit shared by the entire multi-platooned company.
Our son's platoon halted directly in front us and the thrill of our hearts came out in the applause of our hands and shouts of our voices. We joined the chorus of thousands of other parents, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, and others who were clapping and cheering the new Marines.
The day we spent together touring the Recruit Training Depot, shopping and sharing meals was a day spirited with pride, relief, love and joy. Family Day was topped only by Graduation Day where we again watched the new Marines march as a single-spirited body, cheered, loaded up, and drove home.
Today, a week and a day after graduation, my son and I walked with our dog through the woods behind our house. I asked him about esprit de corps and he talked about how no one except another Marine could really understand the connection Marines have. Boot camp is an initiation. It is an initiation into the entire corporate body of the Marines. Boot camp is the crucible of the esprit de corps. It animates and binds together everyone who gets through it into a single-spirited corporate body, the Marine Corps.
The esprit de corps of the Marine Corps is one example of how a group can be animated by a single spirit. Other examples include flocks, packs, herds, schools, sports teams, business corporations, marching bands, symphony orchestras, riotous mobs, and tribes or clans.
That a group can be animated by a single spirit raises some questions:
What is the origin of an esprit de corps? From where does it come?
Does an esprit de corps vary in strength? Can it be weak, moderately strong, or very strong? If so, what determines how weak or strong it is?
What sustains an esprit de corps? How long does it last?
Does the spirit of a corporate body remain even after the corporate body dissipates? For example, if a business corporation goes out of business or an entire tribe of people dies does its spirit live on in any sense at all? If so, what sustains it? If not, where does it go?
If anyone has investigated esprit de corps in depth I am not yet aware of it and would welcome information from my readers.
During the three months of boot camp we had only traditional hand-written letters from our son once a week at most. Family Day was the first time since before boot camp we saw our son. We were filled with anticipation and excitement.
Family Day started with a ceremony in the All Weather Training Facility which began with a video that gave us an overview of all our son and the other 700+ recruits did in boot camp. At one point in the presentation the narrator said that one purpose of the training was to create "esprit de corps" among the recruits. Because I am mindful of spirit, as soon as I heard the phrase "esprit de corps" I was aroused and began wondering what exactly "esprit de corps" is. I've heard the phrase many times throughout my life but never looked into it to learn more about it. My investigation began with some on-line dictionaries.
According to the The Free Dictionary esprit de corp is "a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group." According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary it is "the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group."
Note that both definitions use the words "common spirit" and "group". The idea is that a group can have a single spirit.
Esprit de corps is a French phrase used first in 1780. Esprit is the French word for spirit or breath. Corps is the French word for body. Related words are corporeal, corporation, corpse, Translated literally it is "spirit of the body." The body in esprit de corps is a corporate body, a unified group that acts as a whole.
After the video the Company First Sargent marched out and addressed the crowd. When he finished, the music started, the large hanger-like door at the far end of the building began to rise, and the new Marines marched into the building. There were over seven hundred young men and women grouped into nine platoons. Each platoon marched as one multi-legged and armed body. Its head was the Drill Instructor shouting the orders. Each platoon marched as a segment of the entire multi-platooned company. I could feel the common spirit shared by the entire multi-platooned company.
Our son's platoon halted directly in front us and the thrill of our hearts came out in the applause of our hands and shouts of our voices. We joined the chorus of thousands of other parents, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, and others who were clapping and cheering the new Marines.
The day we spent together touring the Recruit Training Depot, shopping and sharing meals was a day spirited with pride, relief, love and joy. Family Day was topped only by Graduation Day where we again watched the new Marines march as a single-spirited body, cheered, loaded up, and drove home.
Today, a week and a day after graduation, my son and I walked with our dog through the woods behind our house. I asked him about esprit de corps and he talked about how no one except another Marine could really understand the connection Marines have. Boot camp is an initiation. It is an initiation into the entire corporate body of the Marines. Boot camp is the crucible of the esprit de corps. It animates and binds together everyone who gets through it into a single-spirited corporate body, the Marine Corps.
The esprit de corps of the Marine Corps is one example of how a group can be animated by a single spirit. Other examples include flocks, packs, herds, schools, sports teams, business corporations, marching bands, symphony orchestras, riotous mobs, and tribes or clans.
That a group can be animated by a single spirit raises some questions:
What is the origin of an esprit de corps? From where does it come?
Does an esprit de corps vary in strength? Can it be weak, moderately strong, or very strong? If so, what determines how weak or strong it is?
What sustains an esprit de corps? How long does it last?
Does the spirit of a corporate body remain even after the corporate body dissipates? For example, if a business corporation goes out of business or an entire tribe of people dies does its spirit live on in any sense at all? If so, what sustains it? If not, where does it go?
If anyone has investigated esprit de corps in depth I am not yet aware of it and would welcome information from my readers.
Monday, December 3, 2012
What being mindful means to me
Mindfulness is not for me an above the neck activity. It's not limited to the mind. It includes my spine, skin, stomach, and bones. It's a heart-centered whole-body practice.
When I'm mindful all my physical senses and intuition are open and on high receive. I'm grounded, centered, calm, and relaxed. My focus is open and broad rather than tight and narrow. My own thoughts and emotions are as still as a motionless pond. They do not interfere. I smile and fully attend without judgment to the other. I am the other or rather there is no I, only other.
When I am mindful of spirit, there is only that which animates the other: spirit with all of its individual and unique qualities.
When I'm mindful all my physical senses and intuition are open and on high receive. I'm grounded, centered, calm, and relaxed. My focus is open and broad rather than tight and narrow. My own thoughts and emotions are as still as a motionless pond. They do not interfere. I smile and fully attend without judgment to the other. I am the other or rather there is no I, only other.
When I am mindful of spirit, there is only that which animates the other: spirit with all of its individual and unique qualities.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Spirit as life-giving breath
Our word "spirit" comes from the Latin word "spiritus" which means "breath". Some related words are aspire, inspire, expire, and respiration.
We modern Westerners often associate breath with air. We assume that air is an inanimate thing, oxygen, one of the elements in the periodic table. We assume air is a passive thing and that we are active, living instigators of its movement. We believe we animate the air when we breathe in, draw it into our lungs, breathe out and sigh, speak, or blow out candles. Is this the only way to view our breath? What happens when we examine this assumption?
Breath, spirit, implies a breather. Could it be that our breath is not ours but another's? Could it be that breath lives independently of us, comes from outside of us, flows into our nostrils, mouth and lungs and gives us life? Perhaps breath, spirit, is the instigator of our breathing, and we are its passive recipients. Perhaps we are breathed, spirited, rather than those who breathe. Perhaps this is so for all who breathe: animals, plants, and others.
When I imagine my breathe, my spirit, as belonging to another and only borrowed by me, I see breath differently. I see it as that which animates me. A breath not mine enlivens me. It is my life-giver, my life-sustainer.
When I imagine my breath, my spirit, as belonging to another and only borrowed by me, I see myself differently. Rather than having breath, a spirit, I am breathed, spirited. I am totally dependent on the spirit that breathes in and out of me.
Being totally dependent on the spirit that breathes in and out of me, my appreciation of breath deepens. It inspires me. I value the breath that breathes me. I owe it my life. I give it a worth I did not give it when I viewed it as a an inanimate thing that I breathed. I worship the spirit that breathes in and animates me and all the living.
Given my new view of breath, spirit, how can I continue to conspire with others against the breath on which our life depends? How can I poison it with air-borne pollutants? When I poison the breath we all breathe I poison myself and all who breathe. When I pollute the breath that breathes in me I pollute the spirit that animates all the living.
We modern Westerners often associate breath with air. We assume that air is an inanimate thing, oxygen, one of the elements in the periodic table. We assume air is a passive thing and that we are active, living instigators of its movement. We believe we animate the air when we breathe in, draw it into our lungs, breathe out and sigh, speak, or blow out candles. Is this the only way to view our breath? What happens when we examine this assumption?
Breath, spirit, implies a breather. Could it be that our breath is not ours but another's? Could it be that breath lives independently of us, comes from outside of us, flows into our nostrils, mouth and lungs and gives us life? Perhaps breath, spirit, is the instigator of our breathing, and we are its passive recipients. Perhaps we are breathed, spirited, rather than those who breathe. Perhaps this is so for all who breathe: animals, plants, and others.
When I imagine my breathe, my spirit, as belonging to another and only borrowed by me, I see breath differently. I see it as that which animates me. A breath not mine enlivens me. It is my life-giver, my life-sustainer.
When I imagine my breath, my spirit, as belonging to another and only borrowed by me, I see myself differently. Rather than having breath, a spirit, I am breathed, spirited. I am totally dependent on the spirit that breathes in and out of me.
Being totally dependent on the spirit that breathes in and out of me, my appreciation of breath deepens. It inspires me. I value the breath that breathes me. I owe it my life. I give it a worth I did not give it when I viewed it as a an inanimate thing that I breathed. I worship the spirit that breathes in and animates me and all the living.
Given my new view of breath, spirit, how can I continue to conspire with others against the breath on which our life depends? How can I poison it with air-borne pollutants? When I poison the breath we all breathe I poison myself and all who breathe. When I pollute the breath that breathes in me I pollute the spirit that animates all the living.
Friday, November 30, 2012
A working definition of spirit
For this blog my working definition of spirit is "that which animates".
It's the difference between a green leaf on an oak tree in the summer and the same leaf, brown, on the ground in winter. It's the difference between an animal, human or otherwise, breathing or breathless. Spirit is life. Life is spirit. Life without spirit is no life at all.
To say spirit is that which animates, the difference between being alive or dead does not tell us much about what spirit itself actually is. What is it about spirit that animates? Spirit is irreducible. Spirit is spirit. Spirit is that which animates and makes alive.
So if spirit is that which animates are some void of spirit? Are some inanimate, lifeless, dead? Yes and no.
When I a little boy, probably around ten years old. I caught a tadpole in my grandfather's trout pond and took it home in a Mason jar. I named him Teddy and took care of him. I loved him. As Teddy's legs grew and tail shrank I changed his name from Teddy the Tadpole to Freddy the Frog.
One day when my mom vacuumed my room she put Freddy's jar in my bedroom window. She thought nothing of it and meant no harm. The sun shone directly in that window, warmed the water beyond Freddy's ability to survive. He died and I cried. Freddy's spirit no longer animated him. He was inanimate, lifeless, dead...or was he?
Did he stop changing? No, even after he "died", Freddy continued to change. He decomposed. After I buried him in the backyard, he continued to change and decomposed into the earth. He didn't stop changing. He remained animated after he "died". He was still spirited, alive. What animated him? Spirit, that which animates, which makes alive.
What was the difference between Freddy "alive" and Freddy "dead" if he was animated, spirited, in both conditions? How did Freddy's spirit change?
Did Freddy stop being Freddy? I think so. At what moment was Freddy no longer Freddy? What happened to Freddy's spirit? Where did it go? Did it leave Freddy? Did it go out like a turned-off light? Did it dissipate?
I have many more questions than answers about spirit.
It's the difference between a green leaf on an oak tree in the summer and the same leaf, brown, on the ground in winter. It's the difference between an animal, human or otherwise, breathing or breathless. Spirit is life. Life is spirit. Life without spirit is no life at all.
To say spirit is that which animates, the difference between being alive or dead does not tell us much about what spirit itself actually is. What is it about spirit that animates? Spirit is irreducible. Spirit is spirit. Spirit is that which animates and makes alive.
So if spirit is that which animates are some void of spirit? Are some inanimate, lifeless, dead? Yes and no.
When I a little boy, probably around ten years old. I caught a tadpole in my grandfather's trout pond and took it home in a Mason jar. I named him Teddy and took care of him. I loved him. As Teddy's legs grew and tail shrank I changed his name from Teddy the Tadpole to Freddy the Frog.
One day when my mom vacuumed my room she put Freddy's jar in my bedroom window. She thought nothing of it and meant no harm. The sun shone directly in that window, warmed the water beyond Freddy's ability to survive. He died and I cried. Freddy's spirit no longer animated him. He was inanimate, lifeless, dead...or was he?
Did he stop changing? No, even after he "died", Freddy continued to change. He decomposed. After I buried him in the backyard, he continued to change and decomposed into the earth. He didn't stop changing. He remained animated after he "died". He was still spirited, alive. What animated him? Spirit, that which animates, which makes alive.
What was the difference between Freddy "alive" and Freddy "dead" if he was animated, spirited, in both conditions? How did Freddy's spirit change?
Did Freddy stop being Freddy? I think so. At what moment was Freddy no longer Freddy? What happened to Freddy's spirit? Where did it go? Did it leave Freddy? Did it go out like a turned-off light? Did it dissipate?
I have many more questions than answers about spirit.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Definitions of spirit
I'm a Southerner. I love words. I love being mindful of how it feels to say different words. Some just roll right out. They're fun to say. Others not so much.
Words are like people. They're alive. Every one is unique. Every one has its own spirit.
If words are like people, dictionaries are like the written roll-call and reading them summons their presence. I love reading dictionaries and getting better acquainted with words.
Given my love for words and dictionaries, I ask you to join me in this little indulgence as we spend some time being mindful of the word "spirit".
The Free Dictionary lists fourteen definitions of spirit at
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/spirit
1.
a. The vital principle or animating force within living beings.
b. Incorporeal consciousness.
2. The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death.
3. Spirit: The Holy Spirit.
4. A supernatural being, as:
a. An angel or a demon.
b. A being inhabiting or embodying a particular place, object, or natural phenomenon.
c. A fairy or sprite.
5.
a. The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit.
b. The essential nature of a person or group.
6. A person as characterized by a stated quality: He is a proud spirit.
7.
a. An inclination or tendency of a specified kind: Her actions show a generous spirit.
b. A causative, activating, or essential principle: The couple's engagement was announced in a joyous spirit.
8. spirits A mood or an emotional state: The guests were in high spirits. His sour spirits put a damper on the gathering.
9. A particular mood or an emotional state characterized by vigor and animation: sang with spirit.
10. Strong loyalty or dedication: team spirit.
11. The predominant mood of an occasion or a period: "The spirit of 1776 is not dead" (Thomas Jefferson).
12. The actual though unstated sense or significance of something: the spirit of the law.
13. An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.
14. spirits An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.
The Merriman-Webster on-line dictionary lists fourteen slightly different definitions here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirit
1: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
2: a supernatural being or essence as
a : capitalized : Holy Spirit
b : soul 2a
c : an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible; specifically :
ghost 2
d : a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
3: temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated
4: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
5 a : the activating or essential principle influencing a person
b : an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : mood
6 a : a special attitude or frame of mind
b : the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing something
7: a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
8: a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
9: a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertiveness
10 a : distillate 1: as (1) : the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash —often used in plural (2) : any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) —often used in plural
b : a usually volatile organic solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)
11 a : prevailing tone or tendency
b : general intent or real meaning
12 : an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance
13 : enthusiastic loyalty
14 : capitalized Christian Science : God 1b
The on-line Oxford Dictionary lists five definitions here:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/spirit
1. the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul:
- we seek a harmony between body and spirit
- the non-physical part of a person regarded as their true self and as capable of surviving physical death or separation:a year after he left, his spirit is still present
- the non-physical part of a person manifested as an apparition after their death; a ghost:
-a priest performed a rite of exorcism and the wandering spirit was ousted
- a supernatural being:
- shrines to nature spirits
- (Spirit) short for Holy Spirit.
2. [in singular] the prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time:
- I hope the team will build on this spirit of confidence the university is a symbol of the nation’s egalitarian spirit
- [with adjective] a person identified with their most prominent quality or with their role in a group or movement: he was a leading spirit in the conference
- (often spirits) a person’s mood or attitude: the warm weather lifted everyone’s spirits
- he confessed in a spirit of self-respect
- [mass noun] the quality of courage, energy, and determination:
his visitors admired his spirit and good temper
3. the real meaning or the intention behind something as opposed to its strict verbal interpretation:
- the rule had been broken in spirit if not in letter
4. (usually spirits) chiefly British strong distilled alcoholic drink such as brandy, whisky, gin, or rum.
-[mass noun, with modifier] a volatile liquid, especially a fuel, prepared by distillation: aviation spirit
- archaic a solution of volatile components extracted from something, typically by distillation or by solution in alcohol: spirits of turpentine
5. archaic a highly refined substance or fluid thought to govern vital phenomena.
If you're still with me, here are some initial observations about the definitions above:
1. In all of the definitions spirit is invisible to us, non-sensible.
2. The definitions about spirit being the animating energy or force apply to all living things visible and invisible to us and assume that beings can be categorized as either living or not.
3. The definitions about spirit being a mood or character trait acknowledge that spirit-as-animating-energy can have have differing qualities. Even words themselves can have spirit/character/meaning in addition to their alphabetic characters.
4. Several of the definitions spirit speak of spirits existing apart from physical bodies. Gods, goddesses, angels, demons, sprite, and fairies are examples of such beings. Some of these incorporeal spirits can inhabit persons, places or things.
5. Some of the definitions assume that there is a natural and a supernatural realm and assign spirits to the supernatural realm.
In my next post, I'll ask some questions about these definitions and share a working definition of spirit for this blog.
Words are like people. They're alive. Every one is unique. Every one has its own spirit.
If words are like people, dictionaries are like the written roll-call and reading them summons their presence. I love reading dictionaries and getting better acquainted with words.
Given my love for words and dictionaries, I ask you to join me in this little indulgence as we spend some time being mindful of the word "spirit".
The Free Dictionary lists fourteen definitions of spirit at
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/spirit
1.
a. The vital principle or animating force within living beings.
b. Incorporeal consciousness.
2. The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death.
3. Spirit: The Holy Spirit.
4. A supernatural being, as:
a. An angel or a demon.
b. A being inhabiting or embodying a particular place, object, or natural phenomenon.
c. A fairy or sprite.
5.
a. The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit.
b. The essential nature of a person or group.
6. A person as characterized by a stated quality: He is a proud spirit.
7.
a. An inclination or tendency of a specified kind: Her actions show a generous spirit.
b. A causative, activating, or essential principle: The couple's engagement was announced in a joyous spirit.
8. spirits A mood or an emotional state: The guests were in high spirits. His sour spirits put a damper on the gathering.
9. A particular mood or an emotional state characterized by vigor and animation: sang with spirit.
10. Strong loyalty or dedication: team spirit.
11. The predominant mood of an occasion or a period: "The spirit of 1776 is not dead" (Thomas Jefferson).
12. The actual though unstated sense or significance of something: the spirit of the law.
13. An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.
14. spirits An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.
The Merriman-Webster on-line dictionary lists fourteen slightly different definitions here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirit
1: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
2: a supernatural being or essence as
a : capitalized : Holy Spirit
b : soul 2a
c : an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible; specifically :
ghost 2
d : a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
3: temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated
4: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
5 a : the activating or essential principle influencing a person
b : an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : mood
6 a : a special attitude or frame of mind
b : the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing something
7: a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
8: a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
9: a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertiveness
10 a : distillate 1: as (1) : the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash —often used in plural (2) : any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) —often used in plural
b : a usually volatile organic solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)
11 a : prevailing tone or tendency
b : general intent or real meaning
12 : an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance
13 : enthusiastic loyalty
14 : capitalized Christian Science : God 1b
The on-line Oxford Dictionary lists five definitions here:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/spirit
1. the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul:
- we seek a harmony between body and spirit
- the non-physical part of a person regarded as their true self and as capable of surviving physical death or separation:a year after he left, his spirit is still present
- the non-physical part of a person manifested as an apparition after their death; a ghost:
-a priest performed a rite of exorcism and the wandering spirit was ousted
- a supernatural being:
- shrines to nature spirits
- (Spirit) short for Holy Spirit.
2. [in singular] the prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time:
- I hope the team will build on this spirit of confidence the university is a symbol of the nation’s egalitarian spirit
- [with adjective] a person identified with their most prominent quality or with their role in a group or movement: he was a leading spirit in the conference
- (often spirits) a person’s mood or attitude: the warm weather lifted everyone’s spirits
- he confessed in a spirit of self-respect
- [mass noun] the quality of courage, energy, and determination:
his visitors admired his spirit and good temper
3. the real meaning or the intention behind something as opposed to its strict verbal interpretation:
- the rule had been broken in spirit if not in letter
4. (usually spirits) chiefly British strong distilled alcoholic drink such as brandy, whisky, gin, or rum.
-[mass noun, with modifier] a volatile liquid, especially a fuel, prepared by distillation: aviation spirit
- archaic a solution of volatile components extracted from something, typically by distillation or by solution in alcohol: spirits of turpentine
5. archaic a highly refined substance or fluid thought to govern vital phenomena.
If you're still with me, here are some initial observations about the definitions above:
1. In all of the definitions spirit is invisible to us, non-sensible.
2. The definitions about spirit being the animating energy or force apply to all living things visible and invisible to us and assume that beings can be categorized as either living or not.
3. The definitions about spirit being a mood or character trait acknowledge that spirit-as-animating-energy can have have differing qualities. Even words themselves can have spirit/character/meaning in addition to their alphabetic characters.
4. Several of the definitions spirit speak of spirits existing apart from physical bodies. Gods, goddesses, angels, demons, sprite, and fairies are examples of such beings. Some of these incorporeal spirits can inhabit persons, places or things.
5. Some of the definitions assume that there is a natural and a supernatural realm and assign spirits to the supernatural realm.
In my next post, I'll ask some questions about these definitions and share a working definition of spirit for this blog.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The Questions about Spirit of Interest to Me
These are the questions about spirit that are of most interest to me:
1. What is spirit?
Over the past couple of years I've had the privilege of training groups of physicians going through a nationally recognized Palliative Care Immersion experience in the basics of spiritual care. One of the exercises I give them is to take five minutes to write their definition of spirit. I have yet to have two physicians give the same definition of spirit. The range of definitions is broad. I get the same results when I ask them to define spiritual or spirituality.
But it's not just physicians. I've also been the Director of the Spiritual Care department of the same nationally recognized hospice that hosts the above mentioned Palliative Care Immersion experience. The Spiritual Care Professionals I directed were all highly trained in their clinical discipline and had many years of experience providing spiritual care to hospice patients. Even these professionals had different definitions of spirit, spiritual, and spirituality.
I've asked the same questions in countless other formal presentations and informal conversations. I've also read countless books and articles on the subjects. Not yet have I found a consensus on what the words spirit, spiritual, and spirituality mean. It's not much of an exaggeration to say that there are as many definitions as there are individuals to give them.
It seems to me that if we are going to make significant progress in being mindful of spirit we need to come to some consensus on what we're talking about. We need a common definition of spirit. In an upcoming post I will share working definitions of spirit, spiritual, and spirituality and welcome feedback on my proposals.
2. Why be mindful of spirit?
After presenting a working definition of spirit I want to explore why it is important to be mindful of spirit.
3. What is being mindful if spirit about and how do we do it?
I think it's also important to explore the questions about what being mindful of spirit is and how we practice being mindful of spirit.
4. What are the benefits of being mindful of spirit?
I have found a lot of value in identifying some of the benefits I have found in being mindful of spirit and want to address this question throughout this blog.
So, these are the core questions I ask and respond to in this blog. I find value in the process itself of asking the questions and answering them from different perspectives, including the perspectives of others who have wrestled with these questions. I hope the you will find value in wrestling with these questions too and share your comments in this blog.
1. What is spirit?
Over the past couple of years I've had the privilege of training groups of physicians going through a nationally recognized Palliative Care Immersion experience in the basics of spiritual care. One of the exercises I give them is to take five minutes to write their definition of spirit. I have yet to have two physicians give the same definition of spirit. The range of definitions is broad. I get the same results when I ask them to define spiritual or spirituality.
But it's not just physicians. I've also been the Director of the Spiritual Care department of the same nationally recognized hospice that hosts the above mentioned Palliative Care Immersion experience. The Spiritual Care Professionals I directed were all highly trained in their clinical discipline and had many years of experience providing spiritual care to hospice patients. Even these professionals had different definitions of spirit, spiritual, and spirituality.
I've asked the same questions in countless other formal presentations and informal conversations. I've also read countless books and articles on the subjects. Not yet have I found a consensus on what the words spirit, spiritual, and spirituality mean. It's not much of an exaggeration to say that there are as many definitions as there are individuals to give them.
It seems to me that if we are going to make significant progress in being mindful of spirit we need to come to some consensus on what we're talking about. We need a common definition of spirit. In an upcoming post I will share working definitions of spirit, spiritual, and spirituality and welcome feedback on my proposals.
2. Why be mindful of spirit?
After presenting a working definition of spirit I want to explore why it is important to be mindful of spirit.
3. What is being mindful if spirit about and how do we do it?
I think it's also important to explore the questions about what being mindful of spirit is and how we practice being mindful of spirit.
4. What are the benefits of being mindful of spirit?
I have found a lot of value in identifying some of the benefits I have found in being mindful of spirit and want to address this question throughout this blog.
So, these are the core questions I ask and respond to in this blog. I find value in the process itself of asking the questions and answering them from different perspectives, including the perspectives of others who have wrestled with these questions. I hope the you will find value in wrestling with these questions too and share your comments in this blog.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Introduction
I recently became aware that in Western civilization we have over three thousand years of scientific investigation into physical reality in general and human physiology in particular. We also have centuries of scientific investigation into the human psyche.
Similarly we have modern scientific medicine for our physical bodies and modern scientific psychiatry and psychotherapy for our minds. But what about spirit? Where is the modern Western scientific investigation into spirit in general and the human spirit in particular? Where is the modern scientific therapy for the human spirit?
It seems strange to me that we have little if any modern Western scientific investigation into spirit. Spirit is a common word in our everyday speech. We say things like, "My dog has the sweetest spirit." "That's the spirit!" "I can't be with you in person but I'll be with you in spirit." "The place had such a peaceful spirit about it." "She is a mean spirited woman." We call alcohol spirits and refer to horses as being spirited.
What the phases above and many others like them tell me is that our talk about spirit is not restricted to religious speech. We use the word in common, everyday speech on a regular basis. Neither is it only a metaphor. We experience and know spirit directly in our everyday lives.
So why is there so little modern scientific investigation of spirit? Why is there so little development of a modern therapy for the human spirit?
This blog was born from my heightened awareness of this lack in Western civilization and to need to do something to address it.
Here is where I ask questions about spirit. Here is where I share my experiences of and thoughts about spirit. Here is where I invite others to join me in being mindful of spirit.
Similarly we have modern scientific medicine for our physical bodies and modern scientific psychiatry and psychotherapy for our minds. But what about spirit? Where is the modern Western scientific investigation into spirit in general and the human spirit in particular? Where is the modern scientific therapy for the human spirit?
It seems strange to me that we have little if any modern Western scientific investigation into spirit. Spirit is a common word in our everyday speech. We say things like, "My dog has the sweetest spirit." "That's the spirit!" "I can't be with you in person but I'll be with you in spirit." "The place had such a peaceful spirit about it." "She is a mean spirited woman." We call alcohol spirits and refer to horses as being spirited.
What the phases above and many others like them tell me is that our talk about spirit is not restricted to religious speech. We use the word in common, everyday speech on a regular basis. Neither is it only a metaphor. We experience and know spirit directly in our everyday lives.
So why is there so little modern scientific investigation of spirit? Why is there so little development of a modern therapy for the human spirit?
This blog was born from my heightened awareness of this lack in Western civilization and to need to do something to address it.
Here is where I ask questions about spirit. Here is where I share my experiences of and thoughts about spirit. Here is where I invite others to join me in being mindful of spirit.
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