In our self-perception, the body and consciousness have always been inseparable, creating a unique cocktail of sensations, thoughts, and experiences.

Interwoven Identities: The Union of Body and Mind

In our self-perception, the body and consciousness have always been inseparable, creating a unique cocktail of sensations, thoughts, and experiences. The physiological processes that define our physical existence are closely intertwined with the rich world of psychological states—from joys and fears to skills and internal attitudes. Our body transcends a mere shell, becoming a kind of archive that records every emotional and psychological experience gathered throughout life.

Within this interpenetration, several levels can be distinguished, each contributing invaluable insights to the formation of our identity. The somatic order maintains the integrity of the organism, enabling us to interact confidently with the surrounding reality, while the psychological order transforms incoming signals into meaningful experiences and self-awareness. In this context, our self-perception develops not only through physical sensations but also through the prism of social relationships, where communication and cultural norms add another layer to our “self.”

Thus, identity emerges as the result of a constant dialogue between the body and consciousness—a dynamic exchange in which every emotion, every thought, adds its own contribution to our self-awareness. This synthesis helps not only to acknowledge our uniqueness but also to experience the fullness of life, where physical and psychological aspects enrich each other, ensuring that neither element overshadows the other.

How do the concepts of the body and consciousness relate, and how do these aspects shape our sense of identity?

The concepts of the body and consciousness point to a deep interconnection in which physiological processes and psychological experiences intertwine to form our sense of identity. On one hand, our body is not merely a physical shell; it serves as a carrier of numerous psychological contents—from moods and skills to fears and pleasures. These contents can exist at both the conscious and subconscious levels, which manifests in the varying attitudes we have towards our own physicality and in how the “body” participates in shaping our inner world. For instance, it is noted that “the body can exert a dominant influence over the soul in both subconscious and conscious experience,” and different states, such as feelings of guilt or, conversely, sanctity, illustrate how changing one’s attitude toward the body can affect the independence or subjugation of consciousness.

On the other hand, the formation of identity occurs in several interconnected orders. The somatic (i.e., bodily) order implies the preservation of the organism’s integrity in its interaction with the external world, whereas the psychological order is responsible for the integration of external and internal experiences—that is, how a person perceives and becomes aware of themselves. In addition, the social order also plays a role, influencing the nature of our relationships with others and the socio-cultural contexts in which self-awareness is formed. However, the central point is that identity arises precisely as a result of the synthesis of bodily experience and conscious processes—a dual impact in which the body provides sensory and physical signals while consciousness interprets them, imparting meaning to our sense of “self.”

Supporting citation(s):

"Many psychological contents are connected with the human body: states, skills, attitudes, orientation, well-being, fears, pleasures, and sufferings. These contents can be both conscious and subconscious. People relate to their bodies in different ways, with the body and flesh participating differently in their consciousness. The relationship between the soul and the body is also reflected in the fact that the body can exert a dominant influence over the soul in both subconscious and conscious experience. Sin, as a rule, subjugates consciousness to the body, to the flesh. Conversely, sanctity restores the independence of consciousness, its liberation from the body." (source: link txt)

"Identity is actively involved in processes in three orders of reality: the somatic (the organism strives to maintain its integrity in constant interaction with the external world), the psychological (when the integration of external and internal experience occurs in a person’s consciousness and behavior), and the social (identity influences the social fabric, the nature of connections within communities). The central one among these orders is the psychological, and identity has been most studied from the psychological perspective." (source: link txt)