Seneca

After taking a brief rest, I started reading the Stoic, Seneca’s letter to Lucilius number 65-“On the first cause.”

Seneca begins the letter reminding Lucilius that Stoic philosophers say there are two things in the universe that are the source of all things: cause and matter.

However, he says that Aristotle and Plato have expanded on causes by highlighting that causes can be infinite and forms can be moulded and transformed. Seneca also talks about Plato’s ideas, which are like patterns of all things that God has within Himself for creation.

Normally, Stoic philosophers focus on the present moment and what can be controlled. But Seneca is asking Lucilius why he should not also ponder greater and more divine concepts.

Why?

Seneca says that the body is a weight and punishment of the soul and that to die, as a Stoic, is to die and cease to exist, which is much like the time that preceded our arrival here in life, our births.

Though, Seneca also leaves open the possibility that this body releases our souls and that soul might have liberties beyond what is possible in our very limited corporeal sense.

Catholic

This morning, before communion service, I did a meditation on the daily bread part of the prayer, Our Father.

And during communion, I thought about my own body and how I feel about it. Exercise is very good for the body, brain, and soul. When I wasn’t exercising, it felt like I wasn’t really living anymore. I felt shut down and preparing to die like a Stoic. Ready to cease to exist.

Some of this is due to past sexual traumas along with the changes in my body from antipsychotic induced metabolic syndrome. I no longer felt like myself. So, I detached and stopped caring for my body.

I didn’t care what kind of food I ate. I didn’t care about sexual partners. I didn’t even brush my hair, which my girls still pick on me about. I literally went around town, like as recently as yesterday, with my hair knotted and my cow lick sticking up.

While I still struggle to take care of my body and to reconnect with it, each small measure of self-care helps me feel closer to the divine. I’m not talking about vanity. I’m talking about treating my body as if it is important—important enough for God to renew one day.

Jesus clearly knew the importance of his body and that is why he offers it to us whenever we are willing to accept the mysteries of faith.

Thoughts on Burial

Earlier this year, I had to make burial decisions for my dad and pre-pay for his burial. Dad had my sister cremated and she was buried in the gulf coast. I like to think of her being with manatees and moving with the moon each day.

But, for my dad, he has a pacemaker, and he probably needed to be traditionally buried so that is what I chose.

As for myself, I don’t know what I will choose. I have the option to do cremation, even as a Catholic, but I don’t know if that is what God wants for me. So, I will think about it some more and then make my arrangements so that my daughters don’t have to make them.

But, I think, in whatever I do choose, God can work with the matter of my body, from all of his many elements and ideas. And I think this is true for all of us.

Concluding Thoughts

Seneca felt like his body was a punishment on his soul because of his many desires and the body’s weakness to disease, trauma, and suffering.

As a Catholic, I’ve found that my body has helped me to feel closer to the divine through its weaknesses, its trauma, and its suffering.

When I exercise, I feel like a God no universe can contain. I literally named my headphones, “Carolina is a God” so my neighbours know not to connect and get the hint. Just kidding.

When we exercise and take care of our bodies, we also feel a connection with the divine.

Well, these are my thoughts on today’s reading.

It felt good to be able to concentrate and write something meaningful here on my blog, which was my intention when I created it.

Many Thanks

Many thanks for reading. I wish you to experience the divine when you care for your body as a creation of God’s.