We are spiritual beings having a human experience

Chardin's quote is a reminder of our true nature; that the soul is primary, and the body is the vessel through which the soul expresses itself. It also carries a second, often overlooked truth: being spiritual does not mean abandoning the human experience. In fact, the healthiest way to experience spirituality is through the balance of staying grounded.

Pathway to nature - photograph by me

No matter how expansive, mystical, or intense your spiritual experiences become, you are still living in a human body. And the body has needs - food, rest, movement, connection, safety. Ignoring these needs doesn’t make you more spiritual; it actually disconnects you from the very foundation that allows spiritual energy to flow through you.

Chardin’s quote implies that we must not lose touch with reality. We must honour the human body as much as we honour the spirit.

Grounding practices are essential because they anchor your consciousness back into the physical world. Something as simple as touching the earth - literally “touching grass”, can not only bring you back into your body, but also calm your nervous system, and remind you that you are here, alive, and supported by the planet beneath your feet.

The awakening of a spiritual being requires first the awakening of the human. You cannot bypass the body, the emotions, or the lived experience. You must learn to be human before you can learn to be divine.

The body is not separate from the soul - it is the vessel through which the soul expresses itself. When we ignore the human experience, we disconnect from the very foundation that allows spiritual energy to move through us. When we honor the body, tend to its needs, and release what it has been holding, we create space for clarity, intuition, and divine communication to flow more freely.

There are countless cultural understandings and philosophical traditions that speak to the idea that the body and soul are not separate, but deeply intertwined. From Indigenous worldviews that see the physical form as an expression of spirit, to Eastern philosophies that view the body as a vessel of life‑force energy, to mystical branches of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity that describe the soul as something that breathes through the body rather than existing apart from it - this theme appears everywhere.

Even modern psychology and somatic healing echo this truth, showing how emotions, memories, and trauma live not only in the mind but in the tissues, breath, and nervous system. Across time and across cultures, the message is consistent: the body is not just a container for the soul; it is one of the soul’s languages.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic principles both teach that the body is made of elemental energies: earth, water, fire, air, and ether, and that imbalance in these elements affects our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

For example: If you carry a strong fire dominance (full of passion, intensity, and drive) you often benefit from grounding into earth or cooling yourself with water energy. These elements help steady your momentum, soften impulsivity, and bring your inner flame into a more sustainable rhythm. Fire thrives when it has something solid to burn on or a cool current to temper it.

If you are heavy in water (meaning you lead with emotion, intuition, and fluidity) you may find balance by connecting with air or earth. Air brings clarity, perspective, and mental spaciousness, while earth offers stability and containment. Together, they help you channel your sensitivity without becoming overwhelmed by it.

For those who are dominant in air (ideas, imagination, and spiritual openness) grounding into earth is essential. Air energy can easily drift into overthinking, dissociation, or mental overload, and earth provides the anchor that brings you back into your body, your senses, and the present moment.

And if you are deeply rooted in earth energy; steady, practical, and grounded - connecting with fire or air can bring the movement and inspiration you sometimes lack. Fire ignites motivation and passion, while air stimulates curiosity and new ideas.

These systems remind us that spirituality is not meant to float above the body - it is meant to move through the body. Balance is the key, grounding is the anchor and embodiment is the bridge.

When you honour your human needs, your spiritual experiences become clearer, safer, and more integrated. You don’t get lost in the mystical; you learn to carry it with you. You become a spiritual being who is fully present in the human world; awake, aware, and grounded in both realms at once.