1. Because the body has been the sole instrument for all the
There are two more things necessary for the same purpose, at least in my understanding, which I hope to cover now.
II. In order to achieve this great objective, there must be a readiness and willingness to part with the physical body we carry and lay it to rest in the ground. The soul's inherent reluctance to let go of the body is what we call an unwillingness to die. It has led some to say, like the ancients, "I do not wish to die," etc.—"I can accept being dead, but I do not want to go through the process of dying."
There are two reasons why the soul has a natural unwillingness to part with the body:
1. Because the body has been the sole instrument for all the operations and functions of the soul since its existence. The essence of being lies in its faculties and actions. From the very beginning of its existence, the soul has had no other instrument for its actions than the body. Not only does the body perform outward actions, but it is also essential for all internal, rational activities of the soul. Thus, we know that an injury to the body, particularly to the head, can completely deprive the soul of the exercise of its faculties and powers during life. The soul cannot engage in rational, internal activities without the body. It does not know how it can act without the body. This has naturally instilled an aversion in the soul to let go of the body, which has been its constant means of action since the moment of its inception. This is one reason for its unwillingness, but there is a greater reason.
2. The other reason is the profound, intimate, and unparalleled union and relationship between the soul and the body. There is a close union between parents and children, a closer one between husband and wife, but they pale in comparison to the union