I often wonder at the wisdom of words. If you trace back the roots of words, their etymology, you will often discover important truths. We often use the word psyche, but what do we really mean by it? Jung defined it as the totality of conscious and unconscious psychological processes. The etymology of the word has been traced in the following way:
Psyche (Greek) – spirit, soul, mind, breath, breath of life; after the goddess Psyche
Psycho (Greek) – I breathe; an onomatopoeic word representing out- followed by in- breathing
Psychicus (Latin) – animalistic, carnal
I am marveling at the wisdom of this. The soul and the body are inseparable (while we are alive). Psyche is the embodied soul.
Edward Burne-Jones, Pan and Psyche
symbolreader 
The way, in natural rhythm, The body and psyche support one another is where the mystery (and appropriate inclusion of mythology) begins. It is amazing to think about–I so agree, so hard to express.
That painting “Pan and Psyche” has postures and sentiment so unique I was shocked. excellent inclusion.
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Thanks, Jim. Really well put. It is always nice to shock you.
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for such mild manners ans sensibility, you do it too well. (:
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apparently psychology is the study of the soul, who knew? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology
I have become reenchanted with etymology thanks to folks like you at wordpress. I think Freud would prefer the latin definition 😀
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Yes, the last one should be dedicated to Freud. Well observed.
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Excellent and insightful Related:
http://mystic1muse.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/psyche-the-fiery-angel/
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Perfect synchronicity. Thank you.
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Great topic. I like Jung´s definition of the psyche. The etymology points are fun. Have you heard the sattvic joke: Life is hard. Its breath, breath all the time.
My experience of the soul is that it extends over/beyond the psyche. It is vast and can travel beyond the body both on the physical plane and on the inner planes. It is also a certain energy and energy space (and still being multidimensional) as how I personally experience it especially in meditation. It is also a gateway or portal to the planes beyond the soul plane. In some contexts spirit – Monad plane comes after (when thinking in linear terms) the soul plane. I experience the spirit being even more abstract and representing even “higher” energy than soul.
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Fascinating insights. I also think that spirit is a higher energy, more transpersonal. You are incredible with all your special talents.
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Inbreathing your ideas
Gives a lot of inspiration
But what on intuition?
#senryu
Encore: http://martsart.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/waterbreath/
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I love that piece on water!
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Monika, what was behind your choice of the Pan and Psyche image? It is intriguing unto itself, but the usual fullness with which you unravel something is not here, I guess left to the reader. Yet, I’m intrigued by this image and what was in your mind?
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Hard to say because I choose my images very intuitively, most of the time they come to me. I love the delicacy in this painting. If Pan symbolizes matter, body, he seems to be so sweet and gentle towards Psyche, the soul.
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fair enough!
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