Spirituality and Health

After praying and pondering about how to solve this weight problem I’ve had- I’ve come to some conclusions which I hope will help me begin to put my body into action. I've been trying to think about a healthy physical life the same way I think of a healthy spiritual life. If I do that I have to think of moderation. A healthy spiritual life for me- is not based on hidden mysteries or rare experiences. It is not based on going to any extremes. It is built on everyday activities that compose my life and making those everyday activities- sacred.

To live in balance, I have to start with and remember my strong foundation-- that is Christ Jesus’ life/teachings, death and resurrection. This foundation helps me walk the tightrope of life. Daily spiritual practices help put everything else in my life in perspective. In essence- I want spirituality to form the basis for my work, play, time with my family, and now even exercise and nutrition. I already know that there is spirituality in the everyday mundane activities- so there must be some spirituality in Diet and Exercise.

But, even if it is spiritual-a lack of balance causes me to lean toward the extreme- either I start to exhibit antisocial behavior (Yes I have been there), or fatigue and burnout. Sometimes, I feel this lack of balance now- in that my physical being is not being cared for even when my spiritual being is cared for-

So how do I find that balance in my diet too? And--How do I start to see exercise as a means of worship? There seems to be a body/spirit divide in my life and that is just not right. I want to make my diet a spiritual endeavor and exercise my meditation time.

Kahil Gibran- who I love- talked about eating. He indicated that eating should be “an act of worship” and the table an alter. If you’ve never read The Prophet it is worth quoting here.

"…when you crush an apple with your teeth, say to it in your heart,
Your seeds shall live in my body,
And the buds of your tomorrow shall blossom in my heart,
And your fragrance shall be my breath,
And together we shall rejoice through all the seasons.
And in the autumn, when you gather the grapes of your vineyard for the wine press, say in you heart, I too am a vineyard, and my fruit shall be gathered for the wine press, And like new wine I shall be kept in eternal vessels."

My goal is to remember what The Prophet has taught me and go from there- each day is a new day.

“Therefore… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."
~ (Romans 12:1).