Befriending the Body

Time is an interesting phenomenon. As humans we create an idea of the past and the future based on our experience and perceptions. We get so stuck in these two places, either reliving the past or fantasizing about our future that we often forget about what is immediately and always with us, which is the present moment. 

Intuition resides in the present moment. To do intuitive work, you must be willing and able to experience what is happening in your world right now. The first step in experiencing the present moment is being present in our body. Every meditation starts with relaxing the body or

taking a breath. Our body is our relation point to the world around us. Our body can only be in

the present moment - it is our minds that wander from the present. 

While the body is our primary vehicle into the present moment, it can also be a primary obstacle in relating to the present moment. It may be chronic pain or addictions that are always pulling our mind away from being in our body. Or due to past trauma, we find ourselves mostly dissociated from our physical form. Whatever the reason, we can learn to stay present with our pain and stay in our body while having our current experience. 

Note: Some traumatic experiences imprint on the body, which then seems to carry the past with it, however, these experiences can be released by working with the body in the present moment. I’ll most likely address this in a future post. Please remember that this type of bodywork should only be done with a professional in a safe setting.  

The Obstacle of Body Image

I have spent the vast majority of my life hating my body for completely arbitrary reasons. Not feeling attractive or thin enough is completely societal imprinting and can be unlearned. I have multiple herniated discs in my spine that prevent me from engaging in certain activities and most sports, but this condition doesn’t make my body bad. If I’m honest with myself around my physical limitations, I can accept myself as I am, not how I wish I was. 

I have also wasted so much time trying to dominate my body and force it to do the things I think I want it to do. I’ve tortured myself to lose weight. I’ve pushed my body during activities beyond its limits to the point of injury to not appear weak in front of others. I’ve abused my body to the point of toxicity by overdoing it with food and alcohol. I’ve also ignored my body crying out for help and forced myself to endure pain for months until I finally had to go to the emergency room. If I’m open to seeing how I’ve hurt my body, I can begin to forgive and begin a new relationship of trusting my body’s messages. 

In our society these types of behaviors are painfully common. But there is another way. Hating my body for being the way that it is, is a form of delusion. The antidote to delusion is acceptance. Dominating my body is a form of aggression. The antidote for aggression is patience. 

Acceptance of and patience with our bodies as they are can open the doorway for us beginning to appreciate our body and care for this precious vessel. There is a moment between acceptance and love, where inspiration to take genuine care of our body arises. Self care is very personal and unique to everyone. What my body longs for, may be very different from yours. When we value and love our body, we long to nourish it. To keep it fed, watered, and cared for. We are inspired to give it clean air to breathe, and take it to the doctor when sick, and offer it nourishing food. 

This is the only body we are gifted with and regardless of how it looks or functions (or doesn’t function) we can still appreciate that this magical mass of cells and blood and bones is the only vehicle we have to experience the phenomenal world around us. Our body is the home of our consciousness for this life. If we value our consciousness, then we must also value its place of residence.

As we learn to nourish our body, we may check in with it, listen to its needs, and learn to use it as a tool for being embodied in the present moment. 

 Simple Exercise for Befriending the Body:

1. Sit comfortably in a chair or on a cushion on the floor.

2. Rest your hands comfortably on your thigh.

3. Do a body scan starting from the top of your head to your feet, slowly reviewing how your body feels. Notice without judgement where any pain, absence of pain, discomfort, calmness, agitation, etc. If you hit a sensation that makes your consciousness eject from your body, notice that too. 

4. Once finished, choose an area of discomfort in your body. 

5. Ask this place if it needs anything from you. For example, if you are sitting and notice your foot falling asleep, a kind thing to do for your foot is to move your leg to allow the blood flow to return. 

6. If you are able to make an adjustment to calm your discomfort, please acknowledge this small act of kindness toward yourself and feel if that resonates in your heart. 

7. If you are in discomfort and no action on your part, will help, then offer yourself compassion for the difficulty of your situation. Allow your heart to break for yourself and let self-love flow from that acceptance of your situation.

8. To close, place a hand on your heart and offer gratitude to your body for the miracle of existing. You can be grateful for any of the 5 senses you may have, or for the ability to move, digest food, have a functioning brain, breathe, and a magical heart that pumps blood throughout your brilliant body. 

9. Find something you feel is magical and special about your body. Remember this whenever you want to encourage the idea of befriending your body.
   

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