Among all objects of the world experienced by the humans, there is one which is best suited for symbolic interpretations - which enables them to understand their lives and make sense of them - it is our body. It comes mainly from the fact that the human existence is inseparably connected with the body. Thanks to the body people can act in the world and experience the world; the body grows, ages
... [Show full abstract] and dies with us. Hence the body is perceived as a source of uniquely relevant symbols. Thinking about themselves in terms of those symbols - as a mental activity which is more spontaneous and intimate than thinking in terms of notions provided by society - enables people to construct forms of identity which are more deeply rooted in individual experience. Restoration and development of abilities which make people think in this way seem to be an important task faced by contemporary philosophers, therapists and artists.