I have begun to wonder. Rather than asking, “How are you feeling?” is it be best to ask others to move their bodies? Because the moment we are asked how we are, our minds turn on and story creation begins.
When we are asked how we are or what we are feeling, we begin to roll back over everything that has caused upset, and at times joy, and we begin to nourish the perspective that we most want reinforced.
As children we learn to tell certain stories that help us be seen and feel loved, something that as children is vital for our very survival. Many of us are also told “stop crying,” or “there is no real reason to feel ___,” teaching us not to believe what we feel or to squelch whatever emotion rises. We grow up not trusting what the body is experiencing or needing to create a story to give ourselves permission to feel.
The body doesn’t lie and creates only from the truth.
How we begin to feel is to slow down, relax, breathe, move, and to notice the subtle nuances in our bodies. Emotion, after all, is energy in motion — always rising and flowing, tightening and relaxing. Listening to the body is an invitation to letting every sensation inform you and move you by gently teaching the mind that it is okay not to make sense of everything because some things are beyond the comprehension of words. To listen to the body means to practice feeling without judgment and trusting the body. There is no right or wrong sentiment. Although there are moments to learn from our feelings, this is also not about processing what we feel every time we feel, but an invitation to make space to be with it.
I am not going to lie. It can be scary to feel. It is scary to slow down and feel what rises, what is asking to move through us. Because when we do feel, we are reminded of the parts of us that have perhaps not received much loving or have caused pain at some point, our sexual expression for example. When we feel, we cannot deny our truth. We begin to remember who we really are and question the stories we have created.
Change happens by giving ourselves the opportunity to experience ourselves differently in the moment.
So here is my open invitation — perhaps the next time you are asked how you are feeling or feel energy rising, crank on a song and move. Breathe. Be curious. See what rises. The body doesn’t lie. It is telling you your truth.
Originally posted on 5/16/2016