What is our real self, the body or the spirit?

Question

Sun Myung Moon · Accepted Answer

The question of whether our real self is the body or the spirit is central to understanding human existence, purpose, and destiny. Both the Bible and the Divine Principle provide profound insights, consistently pointing to the spirit as the eternal essence of our being, while acknowledging the vital role of the physical body in our earthly journey. The Biblical Foundation: Distinction and Eternity Scripture unequivocally distinguishes between the perishable physical body and the enduring spirit. Jesus taught, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). This declaration clearly separates the body, which is mortal, from the soul (spirit), which persists beyond physical death. The Apostle Paul further elaborates, describing our earthly bodies as temporary dwellings: "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (2 Corinthians 5:1). He reinforces this understanding by stating, "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). The transient nature of the body is contrasted with the eternal nature of the spirit. Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." This verse highlights the physical body's return to elemental matter and the spirit's return to its divine origin. The Bible teaches that physical death is natural (Romans 8:6) and that resurrection means spiritual life—to separate from Satan's realm, be reborn as God's child, and develop one's spiritual standard through good spiritual practices (John 5:24). It speaks of a spiritual body, not merely a physical one. Paul explains, "It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:44). These scriptures establish that while the physical body is an integral part of our earthly experience, our true, eternal identity resides in the spirit. Divine Principle's Clarification: The Spirit Body as True Self The Divine Principle offers a systematic explanation of the human constitution, affirming that each individual is composed of a physical body and a spirit body. The physical body, formed from physical elements, serves as a temporary vessel, providing the means for activity and growth on Earth. The spirit body, conversely, is composed of spiritual elements, is eternal, and is our true, unchanging self. It embodies our personality, memories, emotions, and the accumulated quality of our experiences and relationships. The spirit body is our real self, akin to how our physical body is like clothing for our spiritual body; just as clothes are shed when they are old, the body sheds itself, while the spirit continues to live eternally in the spirit world. According to the Divine Principle, the spirit body grows and matures within the physical body during earthly life. It mirrors the physical body in its early stages but develops independently based on the individual's spiritual efforts and heart. The Principle emphasizes that the spirit body is not a formless entity but possesses a substantial form, replicating the physical body at its prime. This ensures the continuation of individual identity, consciousness, and relationship capacity after physical death. The physical body acts as the source of "vitality elements" (yin nutrition) for the spirit body, derived from our good deeds and words. Therefore, while both are vital during earthly life, the spirit body is unequivocally our eternal "real self" that transcends physical limitations and continues to exist in the spirit world. Understanding the Deeper Meaning: The Purpose of Earthly Life The profound implication of the spirit body being our "real self" is that earthly life serves as a crucial period for the growth and perfection of our spirit body. Our actions, choices, and relationships during our physical existence directly impact the maturity and quality of our eternal spirit body. This is why Jesus emphasized gathering "treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:20), indicating the eternal value of spiritual investments over temporary material ones. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Just as a tree's fruit matures only while attached to the tree, our spirit body cannot grow or mature after passing to the spirit world; it must grow while attached to the physical body on Earth. The physical body, despite its temporary nature, is not to be disdained. It is a sacred temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) and the essential instrument through which the spirit body interacts with the physical world, learns, develops character, and expresses love. The ideal is not to negate the body but to achi

What is our real self, the body or the spirit?

The Biblical Foundation: Distinction and Eternity

Divine Principle's Clarification: The Spirit Body as True Self

Understanding the Deeper Meaning: The Purpose of Earthly Life

Living the Principle

Sources and further reading