Theology of the Body and mental illness

We tend to hide under the covers when it turns to mental illness and we act so different  when we are dealing with a physical illness of the body versus someone dealing with a mental illness. We are mind and soul together, and we can not discard one without effecting the other. I found a great article by Richard Beck on Incarnational Theology and Mental Illness which I will link below. This all ties in well with Theology of the Body. Mr Beck states that "our theological reflection must attend to embodiment, and this includes mental illness." He continues to state that "my hope is that not only will we become more accepting of the bodies of others, but that we'll expand our understanding of spiritual formation, coming to see how attending to and caring for the body in mental illness; is as spiritual as bible study and prayer."

http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2014/08/incarnational-theology-and-mental.html

In some circles some have speculated that we may all be a little "crazy."

In Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth, he states "The normal state of the mind of most human beings contains a strong element of what we might call dysfunction or even madness." Christians would call this original sin.  He goes on to say "our very intelligence is tainted with madness"

So we may need to look deep into ourselves about our own "madness."

Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D:
In one passage Scripture seems to distinguish “spirit” and “soul”: “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:23). But we must make no sharp distinction between the two.
The human soul is “the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value in him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: ‘soul’ signifies the spiritual principal in man” (Catechism, No. 263). The word “spirit” points to the fact that we are created for “a supernatural end” (No. 367). The two terms are complementary.
- See more at: https://www.osv.com/TheChurch/EternalLife/Article/TabId/738/ArtMID/13694/ArticleID/13910/Difference-Between-Soul-and-Spirit.aspx#sthash.Rsl3Jvwp.dpuf

Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D:
In one passage Scripture seems to distinguish “spirit” and “soul”: “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:23). But we must make no sharp distinction between the two.
The human soul is “the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value in him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: ‘soul’ signifies the spiritual principal in man” (Catechism, No. 263). The word “spirit” points to the fact that we are created for “a supernatural end” (No. 367). The two terms are complementary.
- See more at: https://www.osv.com/TheChurch/EternalLife/Article/TabId/738/ArtMID/13694/ArticleID/13910/Difference-Between-Soul-and-Spirit.aspx#sthash.Rsl3Jvwp.dpuf

It is hard to be charitable when...

Last night in a parking lot, I mistakenly had bought 2 parking tickets for the same space. Instead of just pocketing the extra ticket I gave the ticket to the next car which came into the lot. "There, I've done my good deed for the day, right? Apparently the two men had just bought their own ticket, so I mentioned to them to give it to the next car which came into the lot. They in turn sold the ticket for $5 to the next gentleman. This was the same ticket which I had given it to them for free. Arrrgh!!! I went on with my evening not in a giving and charitable mood, but one of anger and frustration. Is this how I expected to be transformed during these days of lent? Apparently, I still have a lot of work to do. How dare my good deed go down the drain as other thoughtless human beings made decisions that trumped my own? Bottom line: I am a better person than them. I tried to be charitable and doing a good deed, and where does it get me? Where does this come from? One word, ego. I let my ego, self centered look on others take control of who I am. Words Of I and me, dot my own conversion with myself. Would Jesus have let this episode cloud his mind with hostility? I think not. He would always be self giving and not concerned how it would affect himself. I am reading a book called "A new Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. He talks about needing to transform our own minds to a higher level. Much of this revolves are letting go of the ego, a very hard thing to do. He says; "you do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you...and allowing that goodness to emerge." Eckhart Tolle, A new Earth.