There is a new Australian TV series called "Spirited' which illustrates a relationship of sorts, between Henry (a ghost) and Suzy (the only person who can see him).
Henry is trapped in ghost-format in Suzy's apartment because it appears he needs to resolve some life issues still. He's stuck in this particular building, being not alive, but also not quite dead.
This couple have interesting and odd interactions, with him being inadvertently part of her family dramas (because he can't go anywhere!). She then learns from him in return, as is demonstrated in their following conversation:
"You may be Ms 'I'm Alive', but you're walking around like you're dead anyway."
"Why? Because I have impulse control!" she retorts, proudly.
"No. Because you don't know how to feel. You don't engage. An Ice-Princess," Henry continues.
"I feel many things!" she shouts, kicking over a chair as if to show the point.
Changing focus, Henry sits down and says, "The truth is that if they were offering tickets to hell, I'd grab one with both hands. But, instead I'm stuck here and I don't know why."
Suzy takes a breath and wisely acknowledges,
"Most people feel like that. They feel like they're stuck here and don't know why."
The English word spirit comes from the Latin, spiritus meaning "breath".
Your spirit is thus the animating, sensitive or vital principle in you, similar to the soul, which is often taken to be the seat of your mental, intellectual and emotional powers.
Obviously the air that you breathe is an inherent part of your being. It flows through you - giving life to every part of your body. Breathing is a natural process, one that you don't need to actively DO anything about, or even be really aware of.
But Living is something different. Just because you're breathing, doesn't mean that you're necessarily truly ALIVE. This takes more awareness.
Are you perhaps one of the many who are just 'stuck here, going through the motions without knowing why?"
If you'd like to change this, change your thinking to a more consciously aware plane.
For example, take some time and think for yourself:
- What really adds life to you?
- What makes you feel alive?
- Why are you here?
Your spirit, or inner core is where your feelings lie, but recognising them is often the challenge.
Set your spirit free, by seeing how you feel.
Seeing how you feel may make you vulnerable, but this is actually, what you're really about.
And others are just the same.
Sonia Choquette says that "Your spirit embraces life head-on and rides the ups and downs, the ebb and flow, and the shifts and changes of life with determination and courage."
Your ego on the other hand tries to hold on tightly. It is fearful and tries to control.
This resists the flow of life. It is fearful and tries to stop change.
Have a look at where your ego is playing games:
- What are you avoiding?
- What or who are you trying to control?
- What are you holding onto, scared of letting go?
- What are you procrastinating about?
Ego-living means you're trying too hard, fearfully managing your life, rather than openly flowing with it.
Allow your Spirit to handle all that's coming towards you.
Namaste has now generally been used as meaning, "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me."
Look for this loving life-force in others as well. Understand that Ego creates enemies but Spirited Living wins friends. It's energetic and contagious, naturally creating a connection with others at a heart level.
A self-aware connection to yourself and others will prevent you from living ghost-like and empty.
This often takes honesty, self-discovery and doing what makes you come alive.
Give it a try.
Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before."
Erich Fromm
