UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN SPIRIT

Having explored the characteristics of the human MIND, human WILL, human EMOTIONS and the human SOUL in my earlier postings, here in this posting I endeavour to provide clarity as to what the human SPIRIT is all about.

The human make up is that of triune in nature comprising of the BODY, SOUL and SPIRT contrary to the popular belief and understanding that it only consists of the BODY and SOUL.

The terminology of human SPIRIT and human SOUL is often used interchangeably in reference to each other, when they are in fact totally DISTINCT from one another.

Before going further, it is helpful to recap here of the following from my earlier postings:

• The human SOUL consists of the MIND, the WILL and the EMOTIONS. 
• The MIND being the “software program" written on the hardware component, which is the “brain”, where thoughts emanates.
• The WILL being the “invisible muscle” that can be engaged to activate and control actions.
• The EMOTIONS being the variety of feelings which are generated based on the input from the MIND, from the SENSES and from the human SPIRIT.
• The human BODY on the other hand, consists of all the physical organs for its effective functioning and enables it to experience its five senses through the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. It houses the brains, which is the hardware onto which the "software program” is “burned" which is referred to as the MIND as explained above.

Given the above, this leads to the question as to what then is the human SPIRIT? 

In order to understand the human SPIRIT, let’s look at some of some of its characteristics, as listed below:

LOVE, TRUST, PEACE, HUMILITY, WISDOM, JOY, PATIENCE, FORGIVENESS, GENTLENESS, KINDNESS, FAITH, SELF CONTROL, DISCERNMENT, JUSTICE, COMPASSION

All of the above serves to bring out the “qualities of a human" which cannot be manifest through thinking them into being by using the mind, nor by willing them into being and certainly not by feeling them into being. 

Some may argue that one can be determined to be a kind or a patient person and hence they can actually “practice” patience and kindness, but can this be ever the case? Can such a thing result in a lasting characteristic in a person? 

Anyone who has tried to “practice” these characteristics can testify that such a “soulish” endeavour does not result in a lasting transformation but instead sets them up for continual “failure” as it were, given that such characteristics have to be born out of the spirit of humans in order to become a lasting trait of a person.

No one can “think, belief or will" themselves into becoming kind or patient. Those who have tried this approach can testify as to what a frustrating expedition this approach is, yet we have hundreds of “self-help” books which are circulating all over the world for years, advocating this flawed approach to the frustration of many.

In conclusion it is evident of the existence of the SPIRITUAL component of the human make up. 

This component in fact is the MOST CRITICAL and POWERFUL component of a human in influencing character development and decision making, both professionally and personally.

The diagram beside serves to illustrate this triune make up of humans clearly for our collective understanding:

Without an in depth understanding and appreciation of the human SPIRIT, it is impossible to try to develop and institute the desired changes in the characteristics of a person.

These SPIRITUAL characteristics grows and manifests itself to bear fruit in the spirit of humans during the course of our lives through various factors and influences, which we will explore further in my coming postings.

?(Note: Paul can be contacted for Leadership Training and Coaching sessions via his email - : [email protected] or his number +61428698425)