Love This Body
Posted By sharon on May 6, 2009
For years, I saw an acupuncturist who would place her hands on my head at the end of my treatment and say softly “love this body.” The intent of those words sent a feeling of total peace, love and tranquility through my body. The words were merely the reminder to me of these natural feelings that are available to all of us as human beings.
When we overlook and override our bodies with unconscious behavior, demands and actions it sends a subconscious message to the body that is far from kind. Ask yourself if there is a part of your body about which you have critical thoughts. Remember, this is the miraculous body that enables you to experience life.
When was the last time you sent warm feelings of kindness and appreciation to your body? Take some time to check-in with how your body feels right now. Are there any physical sensations present? Is there discomfort? Do a brief internal scan of your body to sense what it’s feeling. If you have been rushing all day, the body may be on “race mode.” Give it a little time to settle and relax. Reassure the body that you are listening to it.
After the body is settled, bring a genuine feeling of appreciation, kindness, or caring for your body. Let that feeling begin to flow through the body just like your circulation, pausing a few extra minutes at places of discomfort or those places you mentally criticize. Imagine each cell of the body opening to these feelings of appreciation.
For best results, this practice should be done often. We can do it in a few seconds when an opportune time arises, when we find ourselves being critical of our bodies, or for several minutes as a formal meditation practice. Being this attentive to the body develops a new friendship with the body where we are more sensitive and attuned to its needs. Your experience is your own evidence of the value of this practice.
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