This is http://www.essayz.com/a9202162.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %TRUE LOVE THOU PRESENCE MIND BODY SOUL SPIRIT 920216 In true I-Thou intimate relationships we make presents of our selves as we present our minds, bodies, souls, and spirits in responsive presence to each other. We are often present to each other only in mind, only in body, only in spirit, or only in soul. Our bodies may be together in space, but our minds may not be together; or our spirits may not be together; or our souls may not be together. When we manipulate each other without due regard to the integrity of each other's mind, body, soul AND spirit as one whole; then we are not truly together in an intimate I-Thou relationship; we have not mutually presented our selves to each other as true presents in the true presence and spirit of our God. When we present only our possessions as objective goods in trade, or exchange them as our gifts to each other; but are not truly present to each other as our true imperfect selves in mind, body, soul AND spirit; and we are not truly together in even our most intimate relationships. We cannot be truly together in I-Thou intimate relationships as long as we manipulate each other without due regard to the integrity of each other's mind, body, soul AND spirit as one whole. We cannot be truly together in I-Thou intimate relationships as long as we manipulate each other without due regard to the integrity of each other; or without regard for each other's communities as integrative whole communities. If we regard some individuals or communities as exceptional, and feel that there is no need for us to treat them equally with true justice for all; then we cannot be truly together in I-Thou intimate relationships; because we will manipulate each other without due regard to the integrity of each other; or without regard for each other's communities as integrative whole communities. This is the case when we regard exceptional persons or communities with exceptional favor; as well as when we regard exceptional persons or communities as not meriting the favor of our true presence or presents. If we regard any person or community as never meriting the favor of our presence, then we are alienated; and are unable to be truly present to each other in the true presentation of our selves as integrated minds, bodies, souls and spirits in the presence of, and in the spirit of our God. If we refuse to listen to (or prevent each other from listening to) the presence of the spirit of God in our midst; then we cannot truly listen to the needs of our respective minds, bodies, souls and spirits; for God speaks to us through such needs. God make known her presence in the presence of the needs of our respective minds, bodies, souls and spirits; not apart from them. God-talk which is separated from the presence of the needs of our respective minds, bodies, souls and spirits is not honest conversation; and God is not truly present in such God-talk. God is truly present only when two or three of us are gathered together in open and honest conversation which has the power of converting us from being colluders, addicts and codependents; into being truly our selves in the presence of God as we truly present our selves to each other, with all the risks and trust which such honest presentations do present in the eternal now of I-Thou intimate relationships. Only then are we truly secure. In true I-Thou intimate relationships we make presents of ourselves in God's presence as we present our minds, bodies, souls, and spirits in truly responsive presence to each other. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================