Jean-Yves Leloup, a renowned thinker and therapist, offers a deep reflection on our spine as the central axis of our existence and the universe. For him, the spine is not just the physical structure that supports us, but also a symbolic representation of our connection with the divine, our essence, and the cosmos.
In his words, "The spine is the tree of life, planted in the middle of the Garden of Eden. Rediscovering the spine is rediscovering your axis and the axis of the world. And rediscovering, once again, your place in paradise."
This thought leads us to consider that, just as the tree of life is an ancient symbol of connection and wisdom, our spine also plays this role. It is the path that connects heaven and earth, our physical base and our spirituality. By seeking the alignment of our spine, we are also seeking our alignment with the world and with the deepest truth that dwells within us.
The word vertebra comes from the Latin vertere, which means to turn or to rotate. It refers to the link in a chain, like a link in a chain. As the ancients taught us, the strength of a chain is no greater than the strength of its weakest link. Therefore, each vertebra of our spine is a vital link that sustains our structure. Understanding where the weak links of our spine are, both physically and emotionally, is essential for restoring balance and health.
The spine consists of seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, and five lumbar vertebrae. These twelve thoracic vertebrae, which represent the torso's axis, correspond to the twelve months of the year and the twelve apostles of Christ, symbolizing the continuity and strength of the divine path. Interestingly, the Desert Fathers associated the 5th lumbar vertebra with the apostle Judas Iscariot, who represents betrayal, because, at this point in the spine, something often breaks or fails. This symbol alerts us to the weaknesses that can arise in our lives, prompting us to reflect on what needs to be healed and restored in our inner structure.
The spinal cord, which runs through the spine, is like a telegraph wire that sends and receives signals between the body and the brain. It is the pathway through which our consciousness communicates with our matter. Just as the spinal cord transmits signals, it also carries vital energy, the breath of life. It is in this deep space that our essence resides and our connection with the divine is rooted.
However, society often offers us a structure without giving us the spinal cord, the true substance of meaning and life. Our father, whether biological or symbolic, may give us a moral code or a law, but often this structure lacks the sap that gives us vitality and purpose. Therefore, it is essential that we seek the spinal cord of meaning, the breath that dwells in our being, so that we can truly live in an integrated and aligned way.
When the spine is well cared for and aligned, it becomes an inner teacher, a guide that connects us to our dignity and truth. In moments of uncertainty, it is not the ideas that tumult in our minds that we should listen to, but the wisdom that emanates from our spine. It teaches us to maintain posture, uprightness, and trust on our journey.
In many spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism and Kabbalah, the spine is seen as the path that leads to spiritual ascension. The middle column is the path of balance, of harmony between the opposing forces that govern our existence. The ascension through the spine, as in Jacob's ladder, is a continuous process of transformation and enlightenment, in which we are guided by the vital energy that rises and falls, connecting heaven and earth.
Our body holds a profound secret: the bone marrow, located inside the bones, especially in the vertebrae. This marrow, according to Chinese tradition, is called the curious and marvelous organs, because it is here that the origin of our vitality resides. It is in the center of the bone marrow that blood cells, such as red blood cells, are formed, carrying oxygen and breath throughout the body. They have the mission of distributing life and purifying the organism, performing a silent but essential task for our health.
This bone marrow, like a mother cell, is a powerful metaphor for our own inner essence. Just as it nourishes the blood cells, the marrow of our spine nourishes our soul, providing the energy necessary to cross life's deserts, as described in the Book of Exodus, where the Lord guides the Hebrews in a column of cloud by day and a column of fire by night.
In many traditions, the transition from external law to inner law is seen as a fundamental path for spiritual evolution. Just as sap is the law of a tree, the breath of life must be present within us. When we live according to this inner law, represented by the marrow, we are in tune with our true nature and the flow of universal life.
Leloup invites us to listen to this inner teacher, the wisdom that resides in our spine, to find the balance and guidance needed to navigate life. Rather than following only external rules, it is essential to cultivate the connection with our own deep self, allowing life to flow through us with truth, dignity, and purpose.
The spine, with its structure and profound symbolism, connects us to our true axis and the vital energy that permeates the cosmos. When we care for it and listen to the wisdom it carries, we can find the path to healing, illumination, and full realization. Jean-Yves Leloup teaches us that, by reconnecting our spine, we are not only reconnecting our body, but also our soul, to the paradise of our own essence and to the balance of the world around us.
