SUNDAY NIGHT SLIDES
If I asked you what the word spirit means, what would you say?
Aside from the alcohol-related definition, your description may include some familiar examples of where 'spirit' exists as a common noun in English language.
Team spirit
Free spirit
Holy Spirit
Guiding spirit
Dunkirk spirit
Restless spirit
Kindred spirit
That's the spirit
Or maybe include some of the following:
She has entrepreneurial spirit
The weather dampened spirit
The manager lifted their spirit
Torture didn't break his spirit
You might also have used words like 'character', 'essence', or 'heart'.
Kinda difficult to describe though.
In scientific literature, due to its inability to be measured as physical matter like most elements that make up the body are, spirit is described as something that's incorporeal; meaning that its true essence exists free from physical convention.
In religious scriptures, spirit refers to the part of a human being that connects and communicates with a deity (a perceivably supreme character in existence beyond what's physically observable).
By dictionary definition, it's categorised in three similar but separate senses:
Way of feeling – "her spirit was dampened"
Not of body – "he's still with me but in spirit"
Of energy – "they performed with great spirit"
Taking all of that into consideration, you might be surprised to learn that the word spirit actually originates from the Latin verb spirare meaning breathe. With spiritus meaning: breath, the force which animates life.
Here are some literal meanings of related words that you'll most probably recognise, along with their modern day interpretations:
To aspire means to breathe on.
Working with strong physical and mental exertion by aspiring to reach a goal or having an aspiration to achieve something.
To conspire means to breathe together.
Plotting or planning a scheme with others. Plotters are also referred to as conspirators and conspiracy is a synonym of plot, a secret plan or agreement between people.
To perspire means to breathe through.
Associated with the body's cooling mechanism producing sweat through the skin via the autonomous action of perspiration.
To transpire means to breathe across.
With connotations that something has happened or occurred, like a previously secretive or unknown fact now becomes known.
To inspire means to breathe in.
Derived from the religious concept that a deity breathes life into a human to give them soul. In the Book of Genesis, 2:7, Moses wrote:
"Then the Lord God formed the man's body from dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life (spirit), and the man became a living soul."
Fuelling someone with the urge or ability to take action or feel something – inspiring. An inspiration being someone or thing that was influential in the accomplishment of something.
To respire means to breathe again.
The breathing cycle of life; inhaling oxygen into the body and exhaling carbon dioxide primarily for energy management.
And to expire means to breathe out.
With connotations of coming to an end or reaching the final period of validity in its current form – to breathe one's last breath.
It's important to note that the breath itself, in essence, isn't spirit.
Spirit is essentially the presence of energy that manages a metaphysical connection within oneself, with another, with others or for others.
Spiritual connections, then, can be enhanced by active breathing, meditation or prayer; by deepening relationship intimacy; by socially bonding with others or through altruistic concern for others.
Finishing with these two questions for you:
1. Do you feel in control of your own energy?
2. How do you think your energy affects others?
Charlie
FEATURED SLIDE
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
In memory of Josh Taylor ❤️