Listen to your body

When you are confused, when you have a big decision to make, when you are uncertain about why things are going as they are, put away your lists, stop thinking (!) for a few moments, and listen. Listen to your body.

Try this: Sit quietly, and take a few moments to notice your breathing. You don't have to breathe in any particular way: pay attention. When you are ready, "drop your awareness" into your body. Allow your awareness to take the lead here; allow your awareness to go to that place in your body that is calling to you at this moment.

When your body has called you and your awareness is in that place, hold that place with loving awareness. Hold that place in your body in your awareness as if you were holding a newborn infant. Even if the place to which your awareness has been called is in pain, don't try to change it. Simply hold it in loving awareness. Stay here now...

After a time, you may notice a "shift," or "movement." After a time, nothing may change. Simply notice what happens. An image or a thought may come into your mind. Notice that image or thought. Continue to hold your body place in loving awareness. Another part of your body may call for your awareness... move to that place.

Your body has a story. By "focusing" in this way, you are listening for the story to unfold. Listen to your body's story as if you were listening to the important story of a child, or a great teacher. Your awareness will lead you to do this.

When you are ready, tell your body that you are thankful for what it has shared at this time. You will return again, to learn more of the story.

*If you want to read more about this way of listening to your body, you might want to find the book, "Focusing," by Eugene Gendlin.

Warmly,
meb