Embracing the Body as a Gift

Observing Western society’s attitudes towards the body, I’ve noted a contradictory approach. We both idolize and denigrate the body, reflecting a deep conflict in our cultural values.

On one side, we see the glorification of physical perfection in athletes, actors, and models, signifying a collective obsession with physical appearance. This adulation often ignores deeper values, contradicting sayings like ‘beauty is only skin deep’ and ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’—adages I sometimes struggle with, as flashy book covers often catch my eye first! Historically, both arts and medicine have influenced our body ideals, leading to the shaming of those who don’t fit these ‘accepted’ standards. Our tendency to quickly judge based on physical attributes like skin and muscle tone, size, and color, highlights this obsession.

Conversely, many spiritual traditions view the body as inferior, often contrasting it negatively with the Spirit. This dualistic perception frames the body and matter as ‘lower’ or ‘negative,’ and the Spirit as ‘higher’ or ‘positive.’ A common belief aligns God with Spirit, hence deeming it good, while matter, being different from God, is labeled as bad.

I consider this topic personal. I have long struggled with my own body image, never quite satisfied enough just to accept it as a gift. Years of self-reflection and therapy, coupled with a growing appreciation for the body as a wonderful gift and tool, have helped me move beyond this view.

I propose a different perspective: viewing the body as a gift. The body is our Universe-experiencing vehicle, enabling us to taste, touch, see, hear, and smell. It’s a teacher for the Spirit, with movement and observation embedding truths into our physical, emotional, and intellectual selves. The body anchors us in the present, always ‘here,’ even as our thoughts and emotions drift in pursuit of other realities.

In moving beyond the binary of body worship or denigration, we can appreciate the body as a profound part of our existence, a crucial component in our journey of understanding and experiencing the world around us.”

Questions to Ponder:

• How can we reconcile the conflicting societal views of body worship and body denigration to develop a more holistic and appreciative understanding of the human body?
• In what ways can recognizing the body as a ‘gift’ impact our daily interactions and self-perceptions, particularly in the context of societal norms and spiritual beliefs?
• How might the arts, medicine, and media evolve to support a more inclusive and respectful representation of diverse body types, moving beyond traditional ideals of physical perfection?