Are You in There? ~ Beyond the Human Suit

“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” – Unknown*

I love this quote.  It reminds me of what Ram Dass talked about in the video lecture I posted a few days ago regarding our “human suits”.  This really tickled me.  I love the analogy because it’s so apropos.  We identify ourselves so strongly by our physical being.

Our human suits aren’t exclusive to the genetics behind our physical bodies though.  They’re also equally comprised by the persona we project both to ourselves and to others; what I call our mind-ornaments.  Mind-ornaments include self-images, society roles, family roles, careers, peer roles, and a whole gambit of other “tags” we apply to ourselves.  We tend to weave some pretty ornamental suits.  The more elaborate the suit, the more attached to it we are.  Sadly we’re also less likely to ever become aware of who is inside of it; not only in our own suits but those of others too.

Have you ever noticed what happens when you peek inside the suit, past the ornamentation, into the naked soul of another?  There’s recognition.  It may not always be spoken of or even realized, but it’s felt.  When this occurs a natural flow between people opens up; the attitude is purely relaxed and the need for pretenses dissolves into nothing.  They become just two beings sharing an experience without judgment or the need to posture.  It’s a beautiful thing; as natural as water flowing in a brook or a breeze blowing through your hair.

Try it.  The next time you’re approached or approach someone else, try peering into their eyes beyond the suit.  Forget about your own mind-ornaments and mentally inquire, “Are you in there?”  Be prepared for a reply.  This is real human relations.  When put it into practice, even the concepts of honesty and trust fade away.  Our natural state of being doesn’t require them because inside our suits we all look the same.  From here springs forth effortless compassion, caring and love.  We recognize we are the same.

 

 

*This quote is popularly and incorrectly attributed to C.S. Lewis.  The actual source is unknown.  More on that here.