For many of us, trying to inhabit our bodies is like rummaging in the dusty dark with a single sub-par flashlight. We get so hooked on our outsides, and spend so much time trying to look perfect, that we cede the actual experiencing of our bodies as they are. Of course, we all feel extreme physical stuff when it is happening, the intense workouts, the painful and ailing episodes, as well as the highly pleasurable moments when we are drawn into intoxicating sensation. Yet, I’m talking about a softer more sensitive awareness and taking up of residence in our physicality.
Can you imagine being in such close correspondence with your body? Can you imagine truly feeling such phenomenal structure?
Fresh into January, given how predictably most of us have already resolved to make our shapes better, leaner, and sexier, mightn’t we amend the body-improvement pledge a little? Mightn’t we make it more profound by folding inhabitation and experience of it into the description?
Here are the main hints I’m giving you (and me), meant to promote legitimate body experiencing, not some conjured, brain-centric idea, but all-out, full-on, real-flesh feeling:
*Every day, move your body. This isn’t limited to intense sweaty physical exercise people—though of course this is great for most of us. I mean anything from walking meditation and really showing up for each step, to lovely, slow and deliberate stretching, where you scan and pause at your legs, spine, shoulders, and so on.
*Every day, give your body at least one thing that makes it/you hum with deep satisfaction, from a nutritive green juice to the most fortifying smoothie, or delicious colorful salad, or handful of clean raw nuts, the list goes on and on.
*Every day, at least once, consciously drop out of your heavy brain, and sink into the melodious swirling vitality of what’s happening below it. Inhabit what your body feels like right then and there, slumped in that chair, stiff on those legs, distracted in that car, curled up watching that flick. Don’t fix. Just be conscious.
*Every day, break at least once from the usual criticism and measurement. Quietly say thanks to your wonderful body instead, then go on knocking yourself out with assessment if you must. At least start the trend of feeling body grateful, and it will hopefully morph from a trickle to a stream, where the obsessive sizing up is ultimately the thing that’s knocked out, not your blessed body.
I am so totally on this journey with you. I’ve actually dedicated 2012 to forging a more profound relationship with my body. The big resolution, instead of toning up my thighs and butt—which in all honesty I’ll be doing mild bits of—is to more subtly develop a mindful body dialogue.
Inhabiting our bodies is indeed a thoroughly in-the-present job. These sacred vessels are what make all the talk about meditation, mindfulness, and awakening come to life. Best to start now, one experience of the foot, the hand, the neck, the chest, the belly, the ankle, the knee, or the hip at a time. Happy New Year.
In sweet body,
ML
1 comment – Leave a Comment
I completely agree. Thank you for shedding light.