Most people have an idea of what the word spirit means to them, and that understanding can vary from one person to the next. Spirit is often seen as the non-physical part of us that defines our soul and our connection to something greater, which is often called “the divine”.
To me, spirit is the essence of being. It exists in all things: people, trees, rocks, everything. All things that do exist have an underlying intent to exist.
To the mind, the universe is a pattern.
To the body, the universe is home.
To a being, the universe is experience.
We are beings in a body. Spirituality “involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.“
Existing doesn’t require consciousness. This is the realm of the mind and in part, the body. Being or spirit is the underlying energy that is within all things. It is the connective tissue of the universe. A rock has spirit. It doesn’t think about being a rock, because it doesn’t have a mind.
However, research has shown that rocks can communicate information to each other and even store information in their crystalline structures. Rocks can focus and separate light waves. Rocks can transmit electromagnetic energy. While these things are not conscious intent, they are an intent connected to their being.
We may need to consider expanding our definition of “life” as we come to the realization that we have both spoken and unspoken intentional spirit relationships with all things.
Here are some additional thoughts on how intent is related to animism:
-
Intent can be seen as a form of energy. It is the force that drives objects to act in certain ways.
-
Intent can be positive or negative. Positive intent can lead to good things, while negative intent can lead to bad things.
-
Intent can be directed at oneself, others, or the world around us.
-
Intent can be conscious or unconscious.
-
Intent can be changed.