Witnessing the Body
I want to tell you about some things that have helped me remember my Divine Essence, and live from who I truly am.
Studies have shown that most of us spend many hours in front of screens, which pull us away from our bodies and who we really are. Years ago, I learned the phrase “nature deprivation” — the pain that comes from being disconnected from the natural environment. I believe that something similar is happening to us by not being connected to our own bodies. As a result, our culture is losing or has lost body awareness.
Without body awareness, we stub toes, bump into furniture, or are easily startled. Sometimes we ignore our body’s long enough that it finally demands that we rest. Then we have no choice but to slow down, redirect our attention, and take it easy.
Mindfulness teacher Jack Kornfield tells a story of a schoolteacher who asked her class, “What is the purpose of the body?” One young child answered, “To carry our heads.” We laugh because on some level we know that the body is so much more than a physical tool. Disconnecting from our bodies detaches us from our emotional and spiritual selves as well. It’s all connected. If we disengage from our feelings, we disengage from the spirit. If we detach from our bodies, we detach from our emotions. Did you know that our hearts are sensor organs? They sense the outer environment and let the whole system know when it’s time to move and when it’s time to rest. It knows when it’s safe and when it’s not. The heart sends more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart.
Our bodies also remember. They hold the memories of pain, and tenderness, shock, and joy. Recently, I was driving at night when a deer ran across the road. I was able to brake safely, but in that instant my body registered danger. My reflexes heightened. My mind was more alert. My eyes got bigger. If I hadn’t consciously released that tension, it might have lingered in the muscles, waiting for the next event to be added to the store of stress.
Even in writing this I can feel my muscles tense. So, let’s take a minute to witness our bodies.
After reading the following, I invite you to take moment and practice what you’ve read.
Close your eyes, soften your heart and take a deep cleansing breath.
Now, just listen to your body.
Listen for the sounds of your breath as it comes and goes naturally.
Listen for the beating of your heart, the gentle swishing and rumbling of your organs. Our bodies make noise. Listen.
Then listen even deeper. Scan your body from head to toe as if you’re looking for something. Alert but relaxed.
Listen for a few minutes and then come back to the following words.
What did you notice? What was your body telling you?
If you truly listened, there’s a good chance you felt quieter, more grounded, even more spacious inside. This simple exercise of witnessing the body is a mindfulness practice. Even in the midst of strong feelings like fear, anger, grief, or pain you can learn to hear what your body wants and needs.
Our automatic reaction, however, is to pull away, to move away from pain, like a fire that will burn. If there is immediate danger, if there is a threat of mental, emotional, physical or spiritual harm, the first thing to do is find a way to safety. When you are safe, gently be present to your body – one breath at a time. Then, over time, with practice, you may learn to be present to the threats that life offers from a sense of your True Self. But safety always comes first.
Let me review how to become more familiar with your body’s signals, release unwanted energy, and stay centered in the power of who you are.
Find a quiet place and breathe slowly and deeply.
Let your attention drop into your heart — or wherever you find feeling in your body.
Allow that feeling to be there without trying to change it – exploring, listening, witnessing.
Then just breathe into it until it feels ok to move on.
Finally, do this as many times as you need to.
This is just the beginning of listening to and witnessing the body. If you would like support in reestablishing a relationship with your body/your Self, please schedule an appointment with me at www.fosterwholeness.net or text 816-506-8711. I’m available all day Fridays and on Saturday mornings.
Also, beginning in February, for a small fee of $15, I will be leading a 60 minute virtual Reiki Healing Circle during which you will:
Be empowered with your own Reiki Crystal or sphere of energy
Receive a multilevel healing from me
Share healing energy with others through your Reiki Crystal
And extend healing energy to the planet.
Let me know if you are interested by email – fosterwholeness@outlook.com.
Namsate,
Don