Hello spiritual companions. This month my intention is to get out of my head, and into my body more. To let her move and feel and play and lead more. To acknowledge her knowing. Will you join me?

The body doesn’t think, it senses. As we pay more attention to our body’s sensations, we’re able to shift from the idea of being alive, to the experience of being alive. This grounds us in the present moment and tunes us into the rhythm and cycles of our environment, the earth, and our own embodied wisdom. We return to where our refuge and agency reside.

“Embodiment is a revolutionary act,” astrologer Divine Harmony recently wrote in her cosmic insight blogpost. She described how so much is happening in the heavens right now (astrologically-speaking) urging us “to love this body now, love this earth now, love what is now.” Not so we can be complacent, but so we can reclaim our body’s wisdom, which for too long has been cast aside. In large part by Christian supremacy.

The Christian story was strongly influenced by the Hellenistic period, which unlike ancient Israel, separated the body and soul. As a result, the mind and soul were elevated—and represented purity, while the body and physical matter (including the earth) were rebuked—and represented impurity.
 
This dualism between body and soul led to the denigration and oppression of women because we were seen as more bodily—women become pregnant, we lactate, menstruate, and otherwise are more attune to our embodied nature. It became so oppressive to women that early Church fathers debated whether or not women even had souls. Later they decided we have souls, but not clear whether or not we could be saved. [Dance of the Dissident Daughter, Sue Monk Kidd]
 
Christian or not, this history saturates our society. Our bodies (and the earth) pay the price: abused, exploited, judged, shamed, ignored, hurting, discarded.
 
It’s why so many of us stay in our heads—it’s not often safe nor comfortable to be in our bodies.
 
It’s why embodiment is a revolutionary act.
A healing invitation.
A divine encounter.

Because we know the truth: Our body is sacred. We are the holy incarnate. The Word made flesh. Spirit lives in us as us.

What does it mean for the Divine to dwell within your body?
How does the Sacred speak to you through your body?
How do you experience the Eternal within your body?

We are called to both heal the trauma and honor the truth in our bodies. So perhaps before you can answer these questions, you need to ask: What do I need in order to feel more safe in my body? What would help me feel more comfortable and at home in my body?
 
I have found yoga to be a practice that gently invites us to witness and welcome our bodies just as they are, which we learn are always changing, never the same from one day to the next. This week I returned to yoga after a long hiatus. It was glorious. My body was buzzing by the end. I started to remember all that yoga has taught me about my body…
 
the body, mind and soul are intimately connected;
our breath can carry us further than our mind can;
how to live among both effort and ease, grounding and stretching, grief and gratitude;
the more flexible my body becomes, the more flexible my life and mind become;
and learning to be still and present in postures teaches me to be more still and present with my thoughts, feelings, and sensations; and thus consciously impact my actions in the moment.
 
What's possible when we witness and welcome our bodies as they are?

Our body speaks to us through our sensations, and behind each one is a story. Learning to listen deeply is how we reclaim our body's wisdom. Remember the body carries both trauma and truth, so come to her with compassion, courage and curiosity. When your belly starts to bloat, or your heart starts to race, or you notice clinched jaws or fists, or an aching head, or a pulsation throughout your body—Ask: What is my body saying to me right now? What is my soul awakening in me? Perhaps it's saying: “Eat less gluten.” or “Love is needed here.” or “Speak your truth.” or “Take a break.” or “You are connected to all living things.” Learning to decipher the body's code is part of what we do in spiritual coaching. See below for a daily practice to help you begin.

Today, this month and for always, may you be in your body more. May you come to know her medicinal power, miraculous beauty and eternal truth.

P.S. My friend shared with me how every day this month she's committing to 5 minutes of "gentle whatever" in her body, like simple stretching. She says once she starts, she always goes longer. I love this! Tell your mind, "just 5 minutes," then let your body really tell you what she needs.

SPIRITUALICIOUS DAILY PRACTICE

BODY SCAN MEDITATION. Our body is full of insight and information. She longs for you to acknowledge her, and a body scan meditation does just that. If you are able, commit to this practice 1-3 times daily for the next week. You can do it seated or lying down. It takes about 5 minutes. Longer of course, if you’d like (especially if you’re Buddhist or practice Vipassanā).

Find a comfortable posture and close your eyes. Take three deep breaths. Choose where to start and slowly scan your entire body. It’s normal for your mind to wander or skip around. If it does, take a deep breath and gently bring the mind back to where you left off.

Notice each part (toes, top of foot, bottom of foot, ankle, etc.) with as much love and care as you are able. Acknowledge these places without judgment. When possible, meet them with curiosity. If and/or when you meet pain or discomfort in your body, be especially gentle with yourself. Send breath to these places. This is a healing invitation: an opportunity to witness your body as it is and practice noticing sensations. Possible sensations to note:

  • What is the temperature of your body? Cold? Hot? Sweaty? Shivering?

  • What places feel tense or tight?

  • What places feel relaxed or open?

  • What places ache or feel tender, or tired?

  • Do you notice a buzzing or pulsing throughout your body?

  • How fast or slow is your heart beating?

  • Is your body twitching? Are your eyes dry? Ears ringing? Nose running? Mouth watering?

  • How does your body feel in your clothes?

  • In general, how do you respond to pleasant and painful sensations?