Yesterday I introduced the idea that the key to happiness is forming a connection between our mind, our bodies, and our souls. Now in order for us to do anything with this connection we have to know what it is we are connecting in the first place. The mind, the body and the soul make up the foundation of what we experience, what we perceive, how we perceive, how we react, how we move, why we do the things we do; whether we do it consciously or not, these three parts are constantly at work within our world.
Today I am going to focus on the body. To me the body is our resting place, our home base; it is where we spend all of our time. The body is our temple… I have heard this many, many, many times, and in my profession I have to say I agree. Our bodies are our temples. They are amazing pieces of machinery that can do so many amazing things. The body is what allows us to be able to move, to touch, smell, see, hear, feel, and many other things we do every.
So, What is the body? The body is a composite of cells and neurons that creates bones, organs, muscles, skin, blood and joints. The body is our physical being. The body allows us to manage, create and dispose of energy and waste. Our minds use our bodies to accomplish goals, desires, and needs. The body is what keeps us alive. It regulates our water and food intake, digestion; your heart pumps blood to keep it circulating and the lungs take in oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide. The body can run, pick up things, reach for things, create and destroy even. The body is complex and amazing.
Knowing your body is a key factor to happiness. We must understand how our bodies operate, understand when they are telling us to hold back or when we can give more; we must be able to communicate with our bodies effectively in order to connect with our body.
Our bodies are made up of 3 complex systems that make it possible for us to move. The cardiovascular system, the skeletal system, and the muscular system; all of these systems are controlled by the central nervous center. These 3 systems work together to allow our bodies to perform exercises, clean the house, pick up our children, get dressed, go driving etc. Our central nervous system also controls our organs. Our organs perform many spectacular events for us every day, all day, even while we are sleeping. Being aware of these functions helps you to get to know your body.
Meditation Exercise:
Most of use our bodies day in and day out without even noticing or giving our bodies much credit for all the hard work they do. Today focus on your body, pay close attention to it. Take a moment to feel every part of your body, find a quiet place to sit feet flat on the floor palms up and eyes closed. Breathe deep for a few moments and relax the mind. Don’t think and don’t try not to think. Be gentle with yourself and don’t judge any thoughts that will come up. Simply acknowledge them and move on. Now feel your toes, feel your feet lift your toes and then press them down into the earth. Feel the connection with the earth, allow the energy to run up your toes to your ankles, notice your legs, feel your calves and your shins. Notice your knee, bring the energy to your things, and feel your bum pressed on the seat. Let the world support you. Relax and be still. Bring your minds eye to your abdomen, suck it in, and give it love. Pay attention to your organs; thank them for all they do for you. Feel you chest and your heartbeat, feel air going into your nose and down your throat and into your lungs. Be thankful for the hard work your body does to keep you alive. Feel your heart and your lungs working together. Give them love. Breathe and relax. Feel your lips gently pressed together, breathe and relax. Now feel your ears. Breathe. Now breathe into your brain, give it attention, love, respect and gratitude. Now bring your vision to the middle of your forehead, this is your spiritual eye. Look at the world through this eye, through this vision; the vision of being one with your body. Feel every cell, feel your blood pulsating through your veins. You are your body and your body is you! Feel this connection and just be with your body for as long as you can.
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