Caring for the Body and the Spirit

Does moral perfection consist in the mortification of the body? In order to resolve this question, I will rely on elementary principles and will begin by demonstrating the need for caring for the body, which, according to the alternatives of health and infirmity, influences in a very important way the soul, which must be regarded as a prisoner in the flesh. In order for this prisoner to live, move about and even conceive of the illusion of freedom, the body must be sound, of good disposition and vigorous. Let us establish a comparison, supposing that body and soul are both in a perfect state. What should they do to maintain the balance between their aptitudes and needs so different in nature?

Here two systems confront each other: that of the ascetics, who want to bring down the body, and that of the materialists, who want to bring down the soul: two forms of violence, each almost as foolish as the other. And alongside these two large groups swarm the countless multitudes of the indifferent, who, with neither conviction nor compassion, love with tepidness and are sparing with their joys. Where then is wisdom? Where then is the science of living? Nowhere. And this big problem would have remained entirely unsolved if Spiritism had not come to assist those whostudy the issue by showing them the relationship between the body and the soul, and to tell them that since they are necessary for each other, both must be cared for. So love your soul but care also for your body, the soul’s instrument. Being heedless of the needs that are indicated by nature itself means to be heedless of the law of God. Do not punish your body for the wrongs that your free will has made it commit and for which it is no more responsible than a badly ridden horse for any accident it might cause. Hence, will you be more perfect if you torture your body but remain no less selfish and proud, nor more charitable toward your neighbor? No, perfection does not lie in this; it lies entirely in the reforms to which you submit your spirit. Discipline it, subjugate it, humiliate it and mortify it: that is the way to make it docile before God’s will and the only way that leads to perfection.

Georges, A Protector Spirit (Paris, 1863)