body is many times condemned in a subtle way and is not given due respect. among many spiritual seekers there is a subtle condemnation for the body. they don’t take good care of it. the attitude is that the body is mortal and is going to die one day, so why bother so much about it. whereas i am an immortal soul, which is deathless and eternal. so why should i get attached to the body or to this materialistic world.
while on spiritual path you should not get attached to any thing. but at the same time condemnation should also not be there. see the body from a right perspective. it always helps you and try to adjust in all possible way to help you. it is one of the most beautiful creation of god. even the modern scientists wonder at the ability of body to adjust to different situations so easily.
body is your best friend on the spiritual path. if your body is not fit or healthy then it is very difficult to practice any spiritual sadhana or meditation. only in a healthy body resides the healthy mind. you should be mentally as well as physically fit to grow in spirituality. if your body is sick then all your attention will go towards it. when body is healthy then it does not attract any attention and thus you can easily remember god or do any spiritual practice.
many people who are not taught to respect the body, often ignore the body needs and take it for granted. don’t become a slave to your body but you must fulfill its basic needs of food, rest, sleep, protection from extreme cold etc. don’t deprive your body of anything which is essential for its smooth functioning. so give it proper diet, rest, sleep and also good amount of exercise. even if you are on the path of meditation or mantra chanting or devotion, then also its important to do some physical exercise or yoga. as it helps your body to stay healthy and vibrant.
you need to have healthy physical body as well as vibrant energy bodies. for that give good nourishment to your physical body. the other subtle bodies have different needs. e.g. for emotional body you need to nourish it with feelings of peace, love, contentment and compassion.
when you do this then all your bodies become healthy, vibrant and full of energy. in that state you can grow quickly in your spiritual sadhana. it can lead to opening up of higher dimensions or experiences for you. you need to be totally charged with energy to feel your totality or your essence. when you are totally healthy then you feel yourself more. you won’t be the same person when you are full of energy. e.g. when water boils at 100 degree then it evaporates. it changes its state or quality. same is the case with human beings. when you are down with fever then you feel low. when you are totally charged with energy then you feel high. use this high state of energy in going deep in sadhana. the higher experiences happen, when there is a big explosion of energy inside you.
so give due respect to body and its needs. fulfill them but don’t get attached to the body. when the thoughts of condemnation comes then just be a passive watcher to such thoughts. these thoughts will come, because somewhere its not only the body but the life itself which is condemned by many people. life is a opportunity to grow spiritually and the healthy body is your boat to reach to the other shore. you cannot cross the ocean with a damaged boat.