February 21 , 2022 /

SPIRIT HEALTH

For whatever reason, the Greek word pneuma (πνεῦμα) came into my mind one morning recently on awakening.  You will recognize the English words pneumatic and pneumonia both of which have to do with air.  Pneumatic tools are driven by compressed air and pneumonia is characterized by infected lungs thus affecting our ability to breathe.  Pneuma (πνεῦμα‎‎, Lat. spiritus) is connected etymologically with πνέω‎‎, breathe or blow, and has a basic meaning of ‘air in motion‘, or ‘breath’ as something necessary to life. In Greek tragedy it is used as the ‘breath of life’ and it is ‘Spirit’ in the New Testament. Maybe the word came to me as I took my first conscious, awake breath of the day, with gratitude for another day.

Those who know the benefits of conscious breathing exercises understand that this simple process changers the chemistry in our brains.  We produce noradrenaline every time we breathe in, which inhibits focus. Yet, when we practice conscious breathing, we can optimize our attention level. Being mindful of our attention results in more synchronized breathing. With more synchronized activity between the brain and breathing, brain health improves.

Here is an excellent article that explains the benefits in detail as well as instructions for how to make breathing, which most of the time is automatic and taken for granted, part of a routine of spirit health and well-being.  https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/well/mind/breathe-exhale-repeat-the-benefits-of-controlled-breathing.html

In Holy Scriptures, Genesis 2:7,  “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” The first thing we do when we are born is to breathe and it’s the last thing we do before we die.  So, from first to last, life is all about the air we breathe that enlivens us.

The word “spirit” derives from the word “breath,” (spiritus in Latin). Literally breath gives life.. Figuratively , the word “spiritual” connotes whatever is of central and ultimate importance in all aspects of one’s life.  We need to figuratively “take a deep breath” and remember who we are in the core of our being. We are Spirit beings as well as human beings. Imagine if we paid attention to our spiritual health in similar ways that we attend to our physical, mental and emotional health.   It’s all part of our human eco-system that is organic, dynamic and breathing.  Similar to the planet and Nature.  And we are living, breathing beings on this planet who look to Nature for lessons in life. No air, no life. Bad air, bad life.  So, how do we assess our spirit health?

Here are some clues from the AMA: https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/doing-culturally-sensitive-spiritual-assessment-recognizing-spiritual-themes-and-using-hope/2005-05

Finally, (don’t you love that word) as it signals the end, finally, there is this.  One of the best things that can be said of someone, is He/She is a good Spirit. Those folks are known by their good energy, their positivity, their liveliness, and their good will.  Good!  As in God?  Thus, the intimate and ongoing connection between physical health and spirit health.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (2)

  1. A wonderful reminder that ‘as flows breath, so goes life.’ The quality of our breathing does matter, and so does the quality of the air we breathe. That is why the Covid epidemic was so devastating – because the virus attacked our very capacity to breathe. Want to take care of the ‘spiritus’ (a lovely word!)? Slow down to watch the flow, breathe well, and breathe your wellness into the world…

    1. Spot on, Kumud. I often think of the planet struggling to breathe as we pollute the air and the environment with our human waste.
      If anyone wants a visual, have a peek at the floating island of plastic and garbage in the Pacific Ocean.
      Trees help absorb CO2, https://www1.plant-for-the-planet.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6oyYGW9gIVyiCtBh0jMAqmEAAYASAAEgLCqvD_BwE
      and it is really a self-preserving act to help save the planet thus saving humans who also need air to live.

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