There are seven areas of life: Spirit, Matter, Mind, Heart, Relationships, Body, and Service. These are more than mere categorization labels; they are different modes of operating in the world. These ‘perspectives’ are not only lenses through which we can interpret reality, but affect it as well. Interpretation and action are linked. Change your perception, and you’ll change your life. Reality has many layers. Truth exists, but the real cannot always be verified. A common human flaw is to treat one lens as higher than the rest. This hierarchical view is pervasive throughout cultures around the globe, but they differ in the primary lens. The areas hold each other in tensegrity: the placement of a single area influences the rest and shapes the whole. Life is therefore in tension, and we need to learn how to integrate different areas at different times. When certain areas dominate individuals for too long, it causes a severe imbalance. We must consciously choose to return to all seven areas of life.

Life is Relation

Life cannot be viewed from one ultimate true perspective. Reality is interaction, relation, and humans cannot step out of this game. Let me repeat that again: you cannot not interact with reality. Your life is one whole, and all seven areas are present. Now, through which lens do you interact with it? Whether it’s deep meditation, extreme scientific rigor, somatic experience, or an intuitive feeling, there isn’t a single correct way to live life. Some are more appropriate at different times, while others are downright destructive. This is most clearly seen when people are overdeveloped in one area, while underdeveloped in many others. The righteousness and certainty we carry are often a mask for the fact that we’re unequipped to truly take on the whole of life. The first step is to develop each area individually, so we understand that there are multiple areas. This alone can take years. And only then can the wisdom emerge to know which area needs to be embodied at which time.

Action, either by individuals or collectively, depends entirely on the lens through which a problem is perceived. Let’s take the example of a boy who is depressed. He comes to you for advice. Now, what do you do? Psychologists view depression as a mental phenomenon (Mind) and will recommend therapy. Personal trainers see the somatic aspects and would advise a movement routine (Body). His indigenous grandma would see it as an imbalance in the family and would gather around the fire to dance (Relationships). A Shaman would see dark energy and perform a ceremony (Spirit). A psychiatrist would address it as a neurochemical issue and prescribe medication (Matter). The musician would prescribe singing so he could express his emotions, as the energy needs to learn to flow (Heart). And the rare individual would combine a combination of approaches with the aim to get in touch with life itself (Service).

Primary Lenses

This is, of course, a theoretical example, but one doesn’t have to look far for real examples. Advice, the cheapest commodity of the 21st century, is everywhere. So, which method in the case of depression should be advised? How many different paths could he journey, and if many, which should come first? The real-life answer is usually what is available and easy. But comfort is often not the best solution. The Seven Life Areas attempt is to find the answer so this boy can live his best possible life. We must first become aware of the different areas of life. After we understand our options, we can investigate the relationships between the areas. And finally, we can find the best way forward. The problem is that people anchor to one dominant area and any other ways are disregarded with fierce conviction. In this case, the boy went to the psychiatrist, who didn’t have a choice between pills, movement, singing, or ceremony. Being boxed in, he’ll recommend the pills.[^1]

Both on an individual and a collective level, we almost entirely interpret and act through one or perhaps two primary lenses. To master certain areas for the sake of service is sensible. One doesn’t have to give up one’s role that has been cultivated through diligent practice. But to get stuck in the perspective of your own lens results in ignorance of certain areas, which in turn causes other areas to burn out and collapse. Your life, not your work, relationships, or spiritual practice, is central. This doesn’t mean that you yourself are the center of the universe; the opposite is true. Everything stands in relation, so Service should be central in any life form. The complexity results from the relationships between all the areas, which is perhaps why most people tend to avoid certain areas. But a clear map widens our view of reality and thereby allows us to live a higher quality life.

The tendency is to get stuck in areas. Even so-called holistic people or generalists are not truly invested in every area. The tendency to view reality through only one or two primary life areas is the root cause of most imbalances, such as burnouts, breakups, bankruptcy, and illness. This is caused by continuously developing and using any specific area at the cost of others. Of course, life has her own will, and this is not to say that everything that happens to us lies within our control. But so much suffering is caused when we become blind by our own obsession. What we lack above all in the modern age is integration. This is not offered through the spiritual lens, the inner mental world, or material abundance, but through Service. Putting life itself again at the center is the missing component of the good life. We may either do this willingly, or life will act on our behalf and do it for us.

Don’t Reject Life

Areas can be ignored—they cannot be avoided. So if we do not master ourselves, life will master us. So what is it that holds us back? We overcompensate in areas because we reject life. Life always encompasses every aspect, regardless if we name it or not. When we master each area, not in the sense of perfection, but by relation, the result is a good life. But when we refuse to examine all areas, the result is a life that’s not worth living. Life is incredibly wise, and so many facets have been given to us to care for. This is precisely the transformation that we need to make: to become caretakers of life instead of takers. Life is of central importance; we are a part of her. This includes the forest and the concrete jungles, the spirits and the AI’s.  Being human means being multifaceted. Everything can be related to, and it is our responsibility to do so well.

A good life requires awareness of all areas. This will require everything every aspect of your life. But is there any other sane way to live than to give it everything we've got? In the beginning, we must go deep into one thing and forget, to only return in the opposite direction and lose ourselves again. But once we realize harmony is possible, we can begin the process of integration. Life will not all of a sudden become perfect and easy. But there is such a difference between being alive and merely existing. When we become present again and use all the aspects that have been given to us, our horizon starts to expand. And who knows what is possible if many of us become integrated humans who put service at the center. The plants, animals, and elements already do this, so why not follow their course?