What Does It Really Mean to Be Holistic? A Soul-Centred Exploration of Wholeness

Introduction: Rediscovering the Wholeness of Being

In a world dominated by speed, productivity, and surface-level fixes, the word holistic is often misunderstood or reduced to a trendy label for wellness products. But to live holistically is not just about drinking green juices or doing yoga—it’s about embodying the full truth of who we are as human beings: physical, emotional, mental, biochemical, and spiritual beings moving through multiple layers of reality in each moment.

To be holistic means to see yourself not as a fragmented collection of parts, but as a sacred whole—a living system in which all parts are interrelated and alive with meaning. It is to recognize that our digestion, emotions, thoughts, and soul callings are all in constant dialogue with one another. This way of being invites a deeper, more compassionate relationship with self, others, and life itself.

In this blog, we’ll explore what it means to be holistic through the lens of soul-centered healing and Process-Oriented Psychology, a powerful modality developed by Dr. Arnold Mindell. We’ll weave together the biochemical, emotional, mental, and spiritual elements of being—and offer reflection questions to support you in reclaiming your own inner wholeness.

1. What Does "Holistic" Truly Mean?

The word holistic comes from the Greek word holos, meaning whole. Holistic refers to the understanding that something can only be fully understood when viewed in the context of the entire system—not in isolated parts. Applied to human beings, it acknowledges that:

• The mind affects the body (e.g., chronic stress creating illness)

• Emotions affect the nervous system (e.g., trauma shaping perception and behavior)

• The soul affects our biology (e.g., spiritual crisis manifesting as depression)

To live holistically is to respect and work with this natural interconnectedness, rather than separating or pathologising any one part of our experience.

2. The Five Realities of Human Experience

In the sacred work of healing, we must honor the multiple dimensions of reality that we move through each moment:

a) Physical Reality

Our bodies are the most tangible and visible part of our human experience. This includes our muscles, organs, posture, and physical sensations. But our bodies are also where unprocessed emotions and trauma live. A tight chest, clenched jaw, or chronic fatigue may be carrying much more than just "physical" tension—they often speak a deeper language of the soul.

b) Biochemical Reality

Our bodies are biochemical ecosystems. Hormones, neurotransmitters, gut bacteria, and inflammation all influence how we feel, think, and behave. For example, poor gut health can trigger anxiety; unresolved grief can lead to autoimmune symptoms. A holistic approach doesn't reduce everything to biology, but it also doesn't ignore it—it integrates.

c) Emotional Reality

Emotions are the fluid language of our inner world. Fear, sadness, joy, anger, and shame all carry messages from within. In holistic healing, emotions are not seen as “good” or “bad,” but as sacred signals guiding us toward wholeness. When we avoid or suppress emotions, they often show up in the body or relationships instead.

d) Mental Reality

Our thoughts, beliefs, stories, and cognitive filters shape how we interpret the world. Limiting beliefs like “I’m not enough” or “It’s not safe to rest” are not just mental—they influence our physiology, emotions, and decisions. Holistic healing invites us to become conscious of the mental frameworks we live within.

e) Spiritual Reality

The spiritual layer is the deepest part of our being. It includes our sense of purpose, connection to something greater, and the inner knowing that we are more than just flesh and bone. Whether one relates to God, Source, the Universe, or simply Love—it is the spiritual essence that helps us find meaning in suffering and return to wholeness.

3. The Three Levels of Reality (Process-Oriented Psychology)

In Process-Oriented Psychology, reality is understood through three distinct yet interconnected levels: consensus reality, dreamland, and essence. Each level helps us understand a different facet of our holistic experience.

a) Consensus Reality (CR)

This is the world of facts, measurements, time, and space. It’s where we talk about health diagnoses, financial stress, or body symptoms—anything that can be agreed upon by others. Consensus Reality is important, but it is just the surface.

• Example: “I have chronic fatigue.” “I’m not sleeping well.” “My job is stressful.”

b) Dreamland

Dreamland is the emotional and symbolic layer of reality. It’s where we experience moods, dreams, metaphors, body symptoms, and inner parts. In this realm, nothing is just what it appears to be—everything is rich with symbolic meaning.

• Example: Chronic fatigue might symbolize deep emotional exhaustion from not living in alignment with one’s truth. A conflict with a partner may mirror an internal conflict between our need for safety and freedom.

c) Essence Level

The essence level is the spiritual dimension—still, spacious, and beyond duality. It is where the soul speaks to us through subtle sensations, synchronicities, and states of timeless presence. It is the place where we remember who we truly are beyond roles, pain, and identity.

• Example: After deep grief, someone may experience a spontaneous sense of connection to all life—a peace that can't be explained. This is essence.

In a holistic healing process, we learn to move through all three levels of reality. We honor the body (CR), explore the messages in our dreams and symptoms (Dreamland), and rest in the deeper spiritual truths that support our growth (Essence).

4. How the Scientific-Material Worldview Fragmented Our Wholeness

Much of modern Western culture has inherited a worldview rooted in scientific materialism—a belief system that elevates the physical and measurable as the only "real" truth. While this paradigm brought many advances in medicine and technology, it also came with a cost.

The scientific-materialistic approach often:

• Separates mind from body

• Dismisses spiritual experiences as irrational

• Views emotions as disruptions to logic

• Treats symptoms rather than root causes

This has led many to feel fragmented, misunderstood, or shamed for their inner experiences. We were taught to “fix the body,” “control the mind,” or “get rid of symptoms,” rather than listen deeply to the messages beneath them.

Holism invites us to reclaim what was lost—to return to a worldview where the body is wise, emotions are sacred, and the soul has a place at the table.

5. What Happens When We Reclaim Holism?

When we approach healing holistically, something profound happens:

• We no longer fight against our symptoms—we listen to them.

• We stop blaming ourselves for feeling “too much”—we hold our emotions with care.

• We become curious about our inner world rather than fearful of it.

• We remember that healing is not a linear path but a spiraling journey of integration.

True holistic healing is not a checklist of practices. It is a relationship—a way of being in communion with your whole self.

6. Inner Work Questions: Reconnecting with Your Wholeness

To deepen your own journey into holistic living, consider these reflective questions:

Physical Reality

• What sensations does my body hold that I haven’t fully listened to?

• How do I care for my body beyond appearance or productivity?

Biochemical Reality

• How does my diet, sleep, and environment affect my mood and clarity?

• Am I aware of how inflammation, gut health, or hormonal imbalances may be influencing my emotional state?

Emotional Reality

• Which emotions do I tend to suppress or judge?

• What would it look like to honor and express my emotions safely?

Mental Reality

• What core beliefs drive my decisions and behaviors?

• Do my thoughts reflect compassion, truth, and possibility—or fear and survival?

Spiritual Reality

• What helps me feel connected to something greater?

• How do I honor the quiet voice of my soul in a noisy world?

3 Levels of Reality

• What is the “consensus reality” story I’m telling about a current challenge?

• What deeper symbolic or emotional message might be underneath?

• What spiritual truth or soul invitation might be hidden within this struggle?

7. Living a Holistic Life: It’s Not About Perfection

Being holistic does not mean doing everything perfectly or “fixing” yourself completely. It’s about living with awareness, integrity, and reverence for the totality of your experience. It’s about learning to listen, to soften, and to stay present with all that arises—without splitting yourself into parts.

It may look like:

• Slowing down to breathe with anxiety rather than pushing through it.

• Nourishing your body in a way that supports your energy and intuition.

• Making space for dreams, synchronicities, and inner guidance.

• Seeking support not just to cope—but to transform and remember who you truly are.

Conclusion: Returning to Wholeness

To be holistic is to return to your original wholeness—to live in a way that honors the sacred dance between your body, heart, mind, and soul. It is to walk through life with open eyes and an open heart, knowing that healing is not a destination but a deep remembering.

Whether you're just beginning this path or deep in the spiral of your inner work, may this reminder nourish you:

You are not broken. You are whole. And every part of you belongs.