Want to know what I think the number one way to connect with your soul/inner being/God/the Universe’s greatest desires for your life are? Listen to your body.
I learned this technique from Martha Beck when I was learning to be a life coach. She also talks about it in her some of her many delightful books.
You know when you’re in that place, whether physically or mentally, where you feel so free, so alive, your entire being feels light? That’s the sweet spot, the place where you can be sure, without any shadow of a doubt, that you’re following along the path set forth for you in this life.
On the other hand, you know that feeling that takes over your body when you’re doing something you can’t stand, like sitting in traffic on your way to a job where every day you get so bored you’re afraid you might actually fall asleep at your desk and wake up with computer-key indents in your forehead? The feeling might be like lead in your stomach, a horse on your chest, numbness in your head. That too is an indicator from your essential self, and this one is saying, “Get the hell out of here, stat!!!!”
Some people are very, very in tune with their body’s feelings. If you are not one of those people, or just want to see for yourself what your “YES, more please!” and “AHHH! Kill me now!” feelings are, try this.
An Exercise Designed to Help You Listen to Your Body
1. Sit, stand, or lie down in a position that is open and unclenched – no crossing your legs, arms, or eyes 🙂
2. Take a deep breath and take yourself to a place in your mind where you are remembering and actually experiencing a time in your life when you know you were not doing what you were meant to. This can be a day, a month, or longer. I choose that time in my life when I was working for the state and cried every weekend because I didn’t want to go back to my grey, windowless office, phew, my chest is heavy just typing that.
3. Okay, got your thought? Really let it take over your body, it might not feel good! Next turn your attention to your toes, wiggle them. Slowly scan your body, starting at your toes and moving your way up through your legs, pelvic area, tummy, diaphragm, chest, shoulders, arms, neck, and up through your head, searching for the areas where you hold the most emotion. As I said, for me it’s a tight chest, but others may feel it through their whole bodies, as a nervous stomach, as hunched shoulders, everyone is different.
4. Once you’ve got that feeling, name it. My name is clampy chesty. Make it something easy to remember. And that’s what I want you to do: remember that feeling. When you notice that feeling again, note the situation you’re in. Who are you with? What are you doing? Where are you? Something about this situation is not right for you, and will be a guaranteed energy-sucker.
5. Take a deep breath, you can leave that icky place now and go to a sunny one. We’re going to do the same exercise, but for a very happy time in your life. You’ll do the exact same thing: find a happy memory, let it flood your mind and body, then scan through your body to see where you react the strongest.
I feel it in my chest again, but this time it feels like a column of light bursting forth from me, and I feel so alive and joyful I just want to fly around and tell everyone! When I did this exercise with my mom I nicknamed her reaction, “Mom’s had too much to drink”, because she became so giddy and giggly! Once again, name the feeling. When you have this feeling in other parts of your life – right on! Keep going, this is part of your path!
Listen to your body. It knows things your mind doesn’t. Take this exercise further by making a list of everything you have to do today, then checking in with your body to see what it’s saying yes to and what it’s telling you to skip. Start arranging your life, a little at a time, so you’re doing more yes! things and fewer hell, no things.
Does this kind of thing ring your bell? Try this therapeutic art activity!