How Physical Fitness Can Lead to Spirituality

About a year ago, I was beginning to consider myself a "lazy atheist." While atheism is perfectly acceptable for people who want to be atheist, I simply became one by default because I didn't really have a desire to believe in anything. The low vibrational life I was living didn't have the energy to expend on higher consciousness. I'd walked away from Catholicism years ago, and after that I tried all sorts of things from Wicca to Buddhism. Spells and meditation didn't bring me enlightenment, so I gave up. It wasn't until recently that spirituality made its return in my life. The change didn't have to do with how many hours I spent meditating, or how many prayers I sent to heaven. It had to do with getting my butt off the couch and exercising, throwing the crap food out of my freezer and trading it for greens and fruits, and shutting my laptop off for once to go spend some time outside. In short, I started taking care of my body. For the non-atheists out there, be aware that hitting a dead end in your spirituality does not necessarily mean you're committed to apathy for life. Take a good, hard look at the state of your physical well being. Are you doing your best to maintain the health of that flesh-and-bones temple in which you live your life?

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, human beings exist on three levels. The first is Jing, the material essence of the body. Qi is our energy and life force. Shen is the spirit, soul or mind. Our ability to connect with the last two levels is influenced strongly by our connection with the levels preceding it. In other words, bringing your Jing into balance allows you to harness your Qi. And harnessing your Qi allows you connect with your Shen. You cannot expect hours of ritual to bring you enlightenment if you're not taking care of your body at the same time. So what does it mean to be healthy on these three levels?

For the Jing, health involves regular exercise, regular sleep, and better eating habits. For me that meant becoming a raw vegan and practicing yoga regularly. What kind of exercise turns you on? Running? Martial arts? Mountain climbing? Dance? As long as it gets your blood flowing and keeps you smiling, it's all good. Chinese medicine would also recommend the use of herbs instead of fake pharmaceuticals for medical ailments, and eradicating toxins from your environment as much as possible, such as smoke, alcohol, and chemicals.

Physical health will then open the doors for you to get in touch with your Qi. Yoga also belongs in this category, because the physical positions are conducive to energy flow and control. Breathing techniques used during or apart from yoga are also powerful in this way. Chinese medicine uses acupuncture to direct the flow of energy in the body. Feng Shui may also be used to direct the energy of your home to improve the quality of your environment. Other forms of energy healing include Reiki and Qi Gong.

Connection with the Shen will be a natural progression for a person who is striving to connect with the Jing and Qi. Meditation will become a much more profound (and less uncomfortable) experience. Practices that harness the power of intention, such as spellcasting and prayer, will also become much more potent. The mind is another component of the Shen, so take some time to educate yourself on advanced science, such as quantum physics and zero point theory. You will find that science can only help, not hinder, your spiritual connection with the universe.

It might seem like a long road to strike out on after you get your butt off the couch, but every step of it is worth living. Happy journeying!