THE BODY AND THE SOUL

 

THE BODY AND THE SOUL

            The human body which is  primarily defined as a complex biological machine made up of cells, tissues, organs, and systems that work together to sustain life is also divided into organic systems such as skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive. reproductive, immune etc.

            Whereas the body is a perishable visible physical structure, its non-physical component is the which is both invisible and immortal.

             According to the Hindu scripture the Gita, when the body stops functioning, the soul remains active and reappears into some other form.

            Because of the aforesaid difference, there are two consequences. The body receives continuous attention, though considered base. The soul is almost forgotten. However, it is important to keep them together.  

            Such people as love their body thoroughly and protect it from any repulsive aspect or functional disability are wise. They should not be accused of being sensualists.

            To conclude, here are some relevant lines from the poem Song of Myself written by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892):

“I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul,

The pleasures of heaven are with me and the pains of hell are with me.

The first I graft and increase upon myself, the latter I translate into a new tongue.

I am the poet of the woman the same as the man,

And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a  man .

And I say there is nothing greater than the mother of men.                      

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G.R.Kanwal

16 May 2025