A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here I would like to address this in a way that many of you already know at some level but which I feel is necessary to highlight.

If we look at the word "fulfillment" itself we find the concept of being "filled full". I would like to show you that indeed this is literally what it means to be fulfilled.

If you wish, for a moment, think of something that makes you feel happy. Imagine this thing being in your life whenever you desire it. As you do this allow yourself to note how you begin to feel inside of yourself. Also notice where you feel these feelings.

Now if you followed closely I think many of you will likely have felt some or all of the following: feelings of joy, happiness, lightness, inner peace and contentment, buoyancy, and a feeling of expansiveness throughout some or all of your body.

Now, although many of you have likely felt something like this before have you ever stopped to consider what is actually happening here? On reflection I think you will likely agree that you are feeling more alive, more present, feeling more fully, and more fully in your body.

I think that you will likely also agree that this is what you mean by feeling "fulfilled".

So let's look at what we've just said. To be fulfilled means to feel yourself "fully in your body"! Does this sound strange to you? For instance, if one is feeling fully in one's body when one is feeling fulfilled then what state are they in when they are not feeling fulfilled?

Well that is an important question because it clearly suggests that one is "not" fully in one's body when one is not feeling fulfilled. Now I know that many regularly and metaphorically use the expression "you need to get into your body" in daily jargon. Here however I am going to stress the "literal" use of this expression rather than the metaphorical one.

What do I mean by this? Well the feeling of fulfillment which is associated with "feeling fully in one's body" is actually an experience of one's spiritual self occupying fully the body that belongs to them. In other words living fully within their body.

The fact that many individuals do not feel fulfilled means that their spiritual self is "not" living fully within their physical body. It's like they have one foot in this life and one foot somewhere else.

Now I know that many will say that this is a normal and acceptable state to be in. If that is true then why is it that it is accompanied with such an undesirable feeling of unfulfillment? Additionally, why is it that living "fully" within one's body is associated with a desirable and pleasurable state of fulfillment?

Is it perhaps that we were meant to live fully within our physical bodies, supporting them fully in health. In another article (see "Do You Love Your Body?") I discuss this more fully.