When the Body Asks the Big Questions: A Dialogue Between the Physical and the Existential

We often think of existential questions—Who am I? Why am I here?—as abstract, floating somewhere above the body. But what if the body itself is asking them?

Pain, fatigue, pleasure, breath—these are not just physical sensations. They are messengers. They carry meaning. And sometimes, they whisper the deepest questions we know.

The Body as a Mirror

Our physical state often reflects our inner world. A racing heart might echo anxiety. A heavy chest might carry grief. The body doesn’t lie—it translates emotion into sensation. In this way, it becomes a mirror for our existence.

Illness and Identity

When the body breaks down, we’re forced to confront who we are beyond it. Illness can strip away roles, routines, and even self-image. But it also invites us to ask: If I am not my strength, not my productivity—then what remains?

Movement as Meaning

Walking, stretching, dancing—these are not just physical acts. They are expressions of being. Movement can be a way to reclaim agency, to feel alive, to say “I exist” without words.

The Existential Weight of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain doesn’t just hurt—it questions. It asks: How do I find meaning in limita