NURTURING THE SOUL

Why do certain sounds, images, even smells, enter deeply into a place within us to evoke emotions that have no words?    Where is it that they rest and resonate with so much power? When we say we know something in our heart or in our gut, as opposed to our head, are we referring to this same place, a place that knows and feels? 

It is certainly not anatomical; it is numinous, existing in or around everyone, perhaps only a confluence of emotions buried deep in the unconscious realm of our minds.  But it is real. And although we cannot see or touch it, it can be felt or experienced, and has the power to influence our behavior, our life, and our sense of self.  It is all of these things, and more.  It is the human spirit that defines our humanity and enables those elements that make us more than an organic machine: dreams, hopes, and imagination.  It gives us art, compassion, love, and empathy. It is in this place that we fully understand who we are, and what we can become. 

We experience it is so many ways: a source of inner strength and resolve, a way to cope and/or recover, a moment of inspiration, an epiphany, or a moment of spiritual enlightenment. It is here that some people find their God,

I imagine there are as many different experiences as there are individuals, all sharing some basic similarities (Jung’s Collective Unconscious?)

It is our responsibility to nurture this spiritual sweet spot – the soul - and protect it from everything and everyone that would attempt to deny it.  There are a number of ways this can be accomplished: solitude, prayer, meditation, music, reading, writing, and sharing with others. We must each identify those elements that make us feel closest to ourselves.

For some, there is comfort in creating solitude, a respite from the noise and harsh demands of busy days.  One can sit quietly, listening to the sounds of silence, or use the time to enjoy special music, read an inspiration book, or write in a journal. Several years ago I wrote the following for my children:

“Sometimes we need all the help we can get in the pursuit of our dreams and aspirations, especially when they take us into unfamiliar places, and that support can often be found in the world around us.

Avail yourself of those activities and experiences that provide inspiration and stimulation.  Read books and journals, listen to music, travel, visit with friends, and pursue everything and anything else that inspires your mind and heart and is affirming to those dreams.  It may be as simple as quietly listening to your favorite music, or as involved as a weekend away to some special place.  You will recognize what it is that makes you feel alive and centered, and whatever that is, it is worthy of your time and attention.  Such small endeavors can provide critical support for great work.”

That we require care, both physical and emotional, is most obvious in the extremes of a lifetime, and in those times of severe crisis, regardless of the cause.  But what is not so obvious is the care needed to create and maintain a rich meaningful interior life at a time when we are outwardly healthy and secure and not facing a physical or mental crisis.

My goal has always been to live a centered life, one relatively free from the distractions and intrusion of external negative influences that threaten my purpose, my work, and my sense of self.  It hasn’t been easy, and I’ve learned to use all of the “tools” mentioned above.  Of these, solitude has been critical to any success I have had, time to listen to my own inner voice, the voices of others, and when possible, the voice of God.  They are all important to our understanding of who we are, and of them, I believe our own voice is the most important.  If we don’t fully understand both the bright and the dark sides of ourselves, we will be unable to clearly hear the other voices.