We are more than just flesh and bones. There's a certain

Ben Carson, in words that reach beyond science into the realm of mystery, proclaims: “We are more than just flesh and bones. There's a certain spiritual nature and something of the mind that we can't measure. We can't find it. With all our sophisticated equipment, we cannot monitor or define it, and yet it's there.” Here lies a truth that defies instruments and calculations: that humanity is not only body, but also mind and spirit. Even in an age where machines can scan the brain and map the stars, there remains an essence that science cannot capture—a flame invisible yet undeniable.

The origin of these words flows from Carson’s life as a neurosurgeon. Having spent years holding the human brain in his hands, he knew intimately its complexity, its delicacy, its astounding power. And yet, even as he cut through the folds of matter, he recognized that consciousness, thought, and the spark of life itself could not be fully explained by neurons and blood. His training revealed the structure, but his wisdom perceived the mystery. Thus he spoke, not as one rejecting science, but as one who saw its limits and bowed to what lies beyond.

History echoes this same truth. Consider Socrates, who taught that man is not merely a body but a soul, and that true wisdom comes from caring for that soul. Or recall Pascal, who, though a mathematician and physicist, confessed that reason cannot grasp the depths of the human heart, for there is a “God-shaped void” within. Even in modern times, scientists who probe the farthest galaxies or the smallest particles often confess that awe, reverence, and mystery remain. The spiritual nature of man resists all cages, even those built of knowledge.

The emotional weight of Carson’s words lies in his insistence that though we cannot measure this essence, it is no less real. The modern world is tempted to dismiss what cannot be quantified, to call it illusion or fantasy. Yet the most profound experiences of human life—love, hope, faith, inspiration, courage—cannot be weighed on scales nor recorded on screens. They belong to the realm of the immeasurable, and yet they move nations, heal wounds, and give meaning to existence.

Consider also the story of Florence Nightingale, who, in the horrors of battlefield hospitals, did not rely only on medicine but on compassion, faith, and presence. It was her spirit, as much as her skill, that gave comfort to the dying and strength to the living. Had she been only flesh, her work would have ended with exhaustion; but because she drew from that unseen essence, her legacy endures across centuries. Her life, like Carson’s words, testifies that we are more than chemicals and bone—we are beings touched by the eternal.

The lesson, then, is to never reduce yourself or others to mere materiality. Recognize the spirit within, both in yourself and in those around you. Treat every person not as a machine of flesh but as a sacred bearer of mystery. If you are tempted to despair, remember that within you lies a strength beyond measure, a mind and soul that science cannot chart but which life itself confirms.

Practically, this means cultivating awareness of your spiritual nature. Spend time in reflection, meditation, or prayer. Nurture not only your body, but your inner life—your thoughts, your imagination, your faith. When you encounter others, honor their invisible dignity, even if the world dismisses them as weak or unworthy. For in each person there is more than the eye can see, a flame of spirit that belongs to eternity.

Thus, Ben Carson’s words are a call to reverence. We are more than flesh and bone; we are spirit and mind, touched by mystery. The machines of man may dissect and analyze, but they cannot capture the essence of what makes us truly human. Carry this teaching in your heart, O listener, and live not as dust alone, but as one who bears within the unmeasurable spark of the divine.