Last time I posted, I posted about the 3 questions, which are meant to clear your mind — kind of like the ‘one hand clapping’ question or ‘if a tree falls in the woods and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound’ question.
These questions can be helpful in getting you out of your head and into the present moment.
Well, becoming more present also means becoming more conscious and aware of your body.
I know for me, being numb to my body and simply not really feeling it throughout most of my waking hours, is a regular occurrence for me, and to be clear, I don’t think it’s good or natural. I tend to believe that most people’s attention is solely up in their heads and we’re almost exclusively cut off from our bodies.
The thing is, our bodies contain so much peace, truth, and wisdom if we’re connected to it.
In my experience, when I become aware of my body in the moment, I feel a peace come over me, a strength and centeredness that leaves me feeling safe. Safe, not in any practical sense I guess, but in an “everything’s alright and I’ve got this” kinda way.
It removes worry, neediness, and comparison, and fills me with clarity (how great would it be if I could always be in this state?).
Unfortunately, without practice and vigilance, it’s really easy to slip back into a mind-dominated state and lose touch with this body awareness. However, asking these questions (or any centering question), and having the awareness to check in with yourself regularly, helps to strengthen this muscle and can put us back in touch with our bodies, reminding us that everything’s okay and I’ve got this.
It feels so normal and familiar to exist almost exclusively in our heads but if you feel stuck, exhausted, and stressed out by the constant and seemingly endless flow of stressful thoughts, find ways to bring yourself back to the present moment and remember to feel your body. You might be surprised at how strong and powerful you really are when you come back to yourself.
-D
