9.1 The Physical Self

• The physical self refers to the body, the concrete dimension, and the tangible aspect of every person that is directly observed and examined.
• William James considered the body as the initial source of sensation and necessary for the origin and maintenance of personality.
• For James, the body is a constituent part for cleansing the spirit that is considered to be of supreme importance.
• For Erik Erickson, the role of the bodily organ is especially important in the early developmental stages of a person’s life. Later in life, the development of both physical and intellectual skills helps determine whether the individual will achieve a sense of competence and ability to handle multiple and demanding roles in a complex society.
• The Indian tradition looks growth and enlightenment as the whole-body event, which is not possible until one has a pure and strong body.
• As a biological entity, the body performs a distinct function, but as a social entity, it is the most visible way of showing and expressing one’s identity
• Since birth, the socialized body is subjected to cultural norms. The attitude towards the body and the bodily practices reflect the value constellation of each particular society.
• The lip plate, also termed as lip disc or lip plug, is a body modification form practiced in some parts of the world, in which increasingly large circular discs made of wood or clay are inserted into a pierced hole in either the lower or upper lip or both, thus, stretching the lips.