Indeed your body is your best friend. It takes you everywhere you want to go and supports you in having a good time while you're there. However, like any friendship, the experience is going to be more optimal when you are also paying attention to what your friend wants. If you never listened to your friend, or didn't take into consideration what works for them,they are not likely to keep showing up for you. The fact that our bodies keep trying, while we take them for granted, puts them at the top of the list for deserving our adoration and attention.
So, if you are complaining about some function or aspect of your body, maybe it's time to get some relationship counseling :) What I mean is treat your body like the most cherished friend you could ever have. Listen to it. When you find out what it likes go out of your way to get that for it.
I know some people get frustrated with their bodies because certain foods they want to eat don't work for them. What if rather than trying to change your body to do things the way you want, you found pleasure it giving it what helps it thrive. In the long-run it will be what brings you joy as well, because there is nothing like being in a body that performs like a finely-tuned race car--the ride is fantastic.
Also, keep in mind that often what you may think you want, which ends up making you feel bad, is an attempt at an emotional fix, or a craving generated by parasites or microorganisms that need that food or substance to stay active in your body.
It can take time to really develop a compassionate and astutely-tuned communication with your body, but the payoffs of that friendship can't be surpassed.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Focus on what's working
In my observations of human nature I have noticed that the typical default awareness of many of us is to focus on "the problem" or what's wrong. Then we have a job, something to fix, or at least fixate on, but when it comes to well-being, the healthier approach is to focus on what's working.
I always have people fill out an intake form when I start working with them and they note the issues that really have their attention. Of course, they wouldn't be there if nothing was bothering them, so I'm not suggesting being in denial about what our bodies are communicating to us. It's a bit of a paradox actually, because we want to be tuned to the subtle messages we are receiving so that we can correct course, so to speak. The piece of the puzzle we're often missing, however, is taking the time to be in awe of and appreciative for where the body has rebalanced. I know sometimes it will take a while for me to realize that an issue I was having hasn't been present for a while, because once it's gone there can be a tendency to forget that it was there and to direct my attention to the next item on the improvement list. Because the work I do is subtle it can be off people's radar just how much improvement they've had, unless they go back and revisit what their level of discomfort was when they came in.
On the larger scale, I imagine we could transform the world, or maybe just our experience of it, by paying more attention to what's working. It might be an interesting exercise to take a week off from focusing on any problem, whether it be with our own health or a troubling situation in the world. Try filling each day with appreciation for what your body is doing incredibly well, or what healing is emerging out of challenging situations in the world.
There's a photographer named Dewitt Jones whose work I came across and celebrating what's working is the whole focus of his message. I found it very inspiring and uplifting. You can subscribe to his weekly email with one of his amazing photographs and a beautiful reflection at www.dewittjones.com
I'm sure everyone has known someone whose eye's sparkle and whose joy is contagious. Chances are they are paying more attention to what's working in their world and drawing more of it to them!
I always have people fill out an intake form when I start working with them and they note the issues that really have their attention. Of course, they wouldn't be there if nothing was bothering them, so I'm not suggesting being in denial about what our bodies are communicating to us. It's a bit of a paradox actually, because we want to be tuned to the subtle messages we are receiving so that we can correct course, so to speak. The piece of the puzzle we're often missing, however, is taking the time to be in awe of and appreciative for where the body has rebalanced. I know sometimes it will take a while for me to realize that an issue I was having hasn't been present for a while, because once it's gone there can be a tendency to forget that it was there and to direct my attention to the next item on the improvement list. Because the work I do is subtle it can be off people's radar just how much improvement they've had, unless they go back and revisit what their level of discomfort was when they came in.
On the larger scale, I imagine we could transform the world, or maybe just our experience of it, by paying more attention to what's working. It might be an interesting exercise to take a week off from focusing on any problem, whether it be with our own health or a troubling situation in the world. Try filling each day with appreciation for what your body is doing incredibly well, or what healing is emerging out of challenging situations in the world.
There's a photographer named Dewitt Jones whose work I came across and celebrating what's working is the whole focus of his message. I found it very inspiring and uplifting. You can subscribe to his weekly email with one of his amazing photographs and a beautiful reflection at www.dewittjones.com
I'm sure everyone has known someone whose eye's sparkle and whose joy is contagious. Chances are they are paying more attention to what's working in their world and drawing more of it to them!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Animals as teachers
Sometimes the most profound lessons come when we least expect them and from those we may not have sought out as teachers. Part of staying balanced and at peace in the world today is keenly tuning our senses to what is around us and how it is informing our choices.
I am just ending a temporary living situation that came with unexpected gifts, namely a lot of animals, and particularly a lion and three tigers who taught me some powerful lessons. I entered that relationship with them by first of all making space to just sit with them and be still. Once the connection was made, they took me on an amazing journey inward, particularly one of the tigers named Typhoon. I can't exactly put the experience into words, but my internal being has changed.
They are powerful beings who command respect. To meet them eye to eye there must first be a stillness within and a calling forth of courage to stand equally in their presence. Hand in hand with stillness is being fully present and aware, because if you are distracted in their presence they will either lose interest in connecting with you or they may startle you with an aggressive move.
I spent my time singing to them of their magnificence and then later meditating with them. Even when it seems they are nodding off they are tuned to your every move and when you are unruffled by their advances they drop back. Ty would test me to see if I would sense him coming up behind me before he reached me with a lunge. They move silently, but I got to where I could feel him energetically and when I would turn to look him in the eyes, as he practiced his stalking, he would immediately release the approach. Often times I would come down and approach him head on, leaning to the fence that divided us to look him in the eyes, nose to nose, as he "chuffed" or gently snorted his greeting and acknowledgment. Then I would sit next to him and sometimes he would curl up pressing the fence where my body touched, gazing intently into my eyes. The stillness and presence with him both opened my heart and called me into my courage in a way I hadn't stood in it before. There was no inner quivering, only a respectful strength, for which I felt appreciated.
So here's what I learned and how I have changed as a result:
1) I'm more confident to speak my truth without hesitation or quivering.
2) Living courageously commands respect.
3) Being still and present disarms aggressive moves.
4) Taking time to really connect with whomever is before you yields amazing gifts, one being a heart that breaks fully open.
So, find what is both wild and courageous within yourself, as well as that which is still, present and loving. These are times that call for all of these qualities.
I am just ending a temporary living situation that came with unexpected gifts, namely a lot of animals, and particularly a lion and three tigers who taught me some powerful lessons. I entered that relationship with them by first of all making space to just sit with them and be still. Once the connection was made, they took me on an amazing journey inward, particularly one of the tigers named Typhoon. I can't exactly put the experience into words, but my internal being has changed.
They are powerful beings who command respect. To meet them eye to eye there must first be a stillness within and a calling forth of courage to stand equally in their presence. Hand in hand with stillness is being fully present and aware, because if you are distracted in their presence they will either lose interest in connecting with you or they may startle you with an aggressive move.
I spent my time singing to them of their magnificence and then later meditating with them. Even when it seems they are nodding off they are tuned to your every move and when you are unruffled by their advances they drop back. Ty would test me to see if I would sense him coming up behind me before he reached me with a lunge. They move silently, but I got to where I could feel him energetically and when I would turn to look him in the eyes, as he practiced his stalking, he would immediately release the approach. Often times I would come down and approach him head on, leaning to the fence that divided us to look him in the eyes, nose to nose, as he "chuffed" or gently snorted his greeting and acknowledgment. Then I would sit next to him and sometimes he would curl up pressing the fence where my body touched, gazing intently into my eyes. The stillness and presence with him both opened my heart and called me into my courage in a way I hadn't stood in it before. There was no inner quivering, only a respectful strength, for which I felt appreciated.
So here's what I learned and how I have changed as a result:
1) I'm more confident to speak my truth without hesitation or quivering.
2) Living courageously commands respect.
3) Being still and present disarms aggressive moves.
4) Taking time to really connect with whomever is before you yields amazing gifts, one being a heart that breaks fully open.
So, find what is both wild and courageous within yourself, as well as that which is still, present and loving. These are times that call for all of these qualities.
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