Greetings..
Spirit/soul may only be values we assign to the simple underlying force/energy that governs our physical manifestation.. I sense that "energy" is the fabric of the universe and "forces" are the patterns that shape energy into its myriad of manifestations.. Spirit/soul may simply be the name we assign to our particular individual patterns.. it seems that there is a unique dichotomy, here.. we are both individual in our awareness of self and complete in our inclusion with the whole..
The physical being has an inherent "knowing" that there is some greater aspect of itself, something beyond the simple collection of bio-chemical reactions that sustain the physical machine.. there must be some organizing force/energy, some pattern that is unique to each being, that defines "who we are".. that "knowing" is the basis of religion, it is what drives mankind to search for its origin.. to seek a reconnection with the "One" from which it came..
Now, to tie this abstract concept to the Arts, we can see the effort we go through to move our bodies in uniform flowing motions, to function as a single unit.. i sense that it is necessary to reconcile our Body, Mind, Spirit relationship before we can truly act as a being expressing itself as a single, fluid, seamless movement of Tai Chi.. Not only do the differing parts of the body need to move in fluid harmony, the mind and spirit that directs the movements must equally be aligned in a complete harmony.. In the Tai Chi symbol (yin/yang) the light and dark swirl about each other in a dynamic dance that forms the "whole".. there are three symbolic parts, light, dark and whole (body, mind and spirit).. I sense that the "spirit" is represented as the whole in the Tai Chi symbol, it is the "force or pattern" that binds or organizes the body/mind into a sentient being.. The true benefits of Tai Chi, by my experience, are only available when the three become one, neglect any single aspect and the whole becomes fragmented, losing its harmony........
Yikes, why do you guys let me go on like this.. sorry for the rambling.. Be well, all..