Take Care of the Body
BLISS IN THE BODY
by Navanita
"Like a Hollow Bamboo Rest at Ease with your
own Body"
Tilopa
At some point in our lives there are situations that are keys .They are signals or signposts for a direction in life.
One precious key for me was during a Physical Education class when i was at Primary School . I always loved to move .For me movement was ,and still is,life ,joy ,alivenes and having a sense of being part of my environment . I ran in the hills, I ran with the animals on our farm and so it was not surprising that i also ran on the track and field and became an Australian Champion sprinter .
On this particular day the class was out for its run around the hill. On this day something new happend in our warm up The usual stretching became a door to bliss.As i leaned into the side stretch there was a sense of disappearing in an inner space of bliss and a peacefull explosion of ecstacyand inner joy. When my awareness returned from this timeless space ,something new had happened.I could sense the outer environment and the other kids around me and at the same time i was sensing myself -there was no seperation.I felt calm and at ease.I had a clear perspective of where i was and also a new sense of being in my body. I had begun a journey that is ongoing for me as a spiritual practice . It continues to be a path or way in my life .
An understanding that through the body there is a door to consciousness, the Being or the Watcher.There are many names for the state of mediation , just as there are many paths Over the years i continue to experiment and play with tools and keys through this understanding . Having a conscious awareness of my body and inner body creates a sense of being at home in myself. This has a variety of different qualities from being quiet, silent and peacefull to being joyfull, ecstatic and blissfull It has a strength and at the same time is fragile and vulnerable , It can be full of love and also very silent Through being in the body there is a connection to the inner space of Innocence and wisdom .
You may already have found this or are about to discover for yourself endless and unfolding mysteries within The dance or way is about staying connected while being in the outer world Meditation is not about seperating the inner and outer space . The keys offered are here for you to play with PLease do not to make them another effort for yourself as its possible you may have already created alot of effort in your life i invite you to "take it easy " .....and keep EASY IS RIGHT as a daily focus
WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF THE BODY
THE SOUL LOVES TO LIVE IN IT
..... Become conscious that the body is a friend and needs taking care of .This empowers it and the life source within.A sentence that may help you remember this focus as a daily practice is "Is this taking care ?"
...... Thank the body for taking care always .It is always here and is always alert For eg breathing is happening without you "doing "it .The heartbeat pumps and dances the rhythm of life regularly ,even when you are sleeping. Also the miraculous way this body can heal itself .Medically it can be helped ,however it is actually the body that heals itself . Thanking the body empowers the life energy of the body It is giving it supportive fuel.
....TAKE IT EASY ...EASY IS RIGHT
Take little stops during the day to anchor this in the body mind system .You might like to write the sentence somewhere that helps you remember.
.....BODY WATCH
is a way of checking in.... Are all the parts in the body working in harmony with each other ?? Do i have contact with my body ?Are there any places in the body that need some support ?? Check in and sense what is needed ...Could be a gentle touching ,stretching,moving,breathing or even a good laugh will help ease any effort or tension you may be gathering .As you practice this regularly it will get easier to recognize what is needed . In the beginning it may take a little time before that happens Please be patient while you become alert to its signals and needs .
Especially when you have not had contact with your body so much for a long time .You may even think you have had contact because you have been "doing " your exercises For sure its good to have regular exercise, there may be just a little misunderstanding with this Actual contact and connection with the needs of the body comes from a place of listening .Of being receptive to it .The other way around that often happens is people do things for the body such as exercise ,massage and diets except for the wrong reasons ,For eg it may be more about the result that the body looks good and the image of how other people see rather than feeling what is good for it The art of communicating with your body is about receptivity..the body has a wisdom all of its own .
It has the capacity to be healthy and fully vital .In fact it is always communicating what is needed, it is simply a matter to learn how to listen to its language .The signals it communicates are about taking care of the body and also for staying connected to ourselves and bringing the focus back "home " to our self .Becoming conscious of the body is reclaiming it and through the body you connect with the life source that inhabits the body .
The word IN-HABIT describes what happens ..you make it a habit to be IN your self rather than the old habit of being OUT of yourself and externally focused This outward focus is what actually creates alot of tension because the separation from being in yourself is uncomfortable and even painful as there is a continual sense there is something missing. .Hence the need to be able to listen to the body and follow it as a guide to support you staying connected with yourself .