I believe that The Buddha would like the Christian view of the body as being the Temple of the Holy Spirit. A "temple" needs maintenance to last long, just as the body. Our body has been somewhat dissed in several new age "theologies", however The Buddha and the scribes of The Bible honor our physical self dutifully.
The Buddha even went further describing the somatic energies - our senses as a way to enlightenment. In his time under the Bodhi Tree, he found that every thought found its way into the physical. Vitally, Buddha found that by recognizing these senses as temporary symptoms, by just being aware of these "sensations" as they passed through, would help heal/purify our bodies. Furthermore, by purifying our thoughts would reduce the symptomatic sensations. However, still the meditative process is to watch the senses pass(Vipassana), learning first how to simply watch the breath(Anapana).
The Buddha is well-known for saying "suffering is part of human nature". We all suffer. I agree after my experience of Anapana and then especially Vipassana (The Dalai Lama considers this advanced meditation and sends his Monks to learn this meditation.) I have gone to two ten day silent courses and one three day(can experience only after ten dayer). And I plan to return soon eventually doing some volunteer work at the site as well.
What is not so well known, is what The Buddha calls the "end of suffering". That is the "purification of thoughts". Also not so famous, included in Meditation is prayer - the Metta prayer - sending out the wishes(vibrations/energy/thoughts) that everyone can end their suffering - "May all Beings be happy." repeated several times.
This meditative process is not easy and takes time. Although, I am sure there are people who "learn in the twinkling of the eye" (epiphanies), I have not been that fortunate. The way Goenka (a layman by the way, who I think teaches the authentic Vipassana), teaches is that first one must go to a ten day all silent retreat (given freely), to even become a "student". My first ten days(first 3 days especially) were overall really a painful experience, however the pain lessened as my thoughts passed through. The pain was in the senses produced by the toxic thinking. As my thoughts are purified, my pain decreases. Goenka first went to a teacher to do something about his awful frequent migraine headaches. Well, his headaches went away, so he decided to take it back to his family and friends especially his Mother who had some kind of chronic pain issues. And that was the start of Vipassana now being taught all over the world with the courses gratefully being taught for free. Goenka was advised that free courses would never work in the U. S., however he has proven them wrong. People like me(who have means) who go through the silent retreats are so grateful at the results that they donate generously.
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