Written by Ronya Banks – So as you can see, I am still on the Mind-Body and“Flow” rampage. There’s just so much here…
I have discovered that having a clear Mind-Body connection maximizes my “Flow” process. This means that my mind is “connected to” and “aware of”what is going on in my body. This may sound easy, but it is often easier said, than done. So, here are some my thoughts on facilitating this connection.
As an energy healer and mindfulness meditation instructor, I regularly ask my clients “when”, “where”, “what”, and “how” questions about their difficulties, sickness or pain. They typically cannot answer these questions. In fact, they usually don’t even know that a problem is arising until it becomes intolerable. What’s going on? It is apparent to me that MOST people live in a state of total disconnection from their bodies. Why is this? I really don’t know. But, I am guessing that perhaps people living in the West have been conditioned from a young age to ignore the physical level, and operate mostly on the mental level???
I am lucky that I was an athlete (competitive runner) growing up, because as an athlete I became intimately connected to my body’s changing energy levels, sensations, moods, potentials, and limits. I am no longer an athlete, but since I already developed this connection, it is probably easier for me to maintain Mind-Body awareness.
Whether or not you have had previous athletic experience, it would be helpful for you to practice developing and maintaining an intimate connection with your body. There are many ways you can do this, including practicing body awareness-type exercises, like: yoga, tai chi, qigong, or some other related activity.
In addition to a physical movement practice, I also suggest you practice “mindfulness of the physical body” meditation each day. There are many links to guided mindfulness of the body meditations on the internet. Find one you like and listen to it each day.
Or, you can follow these simple suggestions:
Stop. Sit down. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, allowing your body to sink into your seat. Set your intention to bring awareness to your ongoing physical sensations, without judging or condemning your body.
Starting at the top of your head, sweep your awareness down your body, noticing all of the different sensations in each body part. If you have time, you may choose to sweep back up your body from your toes to the top of your head again.
Some of the sensations you notice will be relaxed, some neutral, and some contracted. Some of the sensations will be pleasant, neutral or unpleasant. You may want to stop and bring some extra attention to the contracted, or unpleasant sensations, allowing your mindful awareness to bring extra relaxation, oxygen or whatever your body is intuitively needing.
If your shoulders are raised, your mindful awareness will gently drop them. If your forehead is furrowed, it will relax your brow. If your teeth are clenched, it will relax your jaw. You will notice if your body feels tight in some areas and overly relaxed in others. You will notice if your energy level is fluctuating, low, high, or just right. You will also notice varying temperatures throughout. Just notice….no reason to change anything.
Bring your attention to how different thoughts affect your body. Notice how your body responds to different sounds. Form an intimate connection with your body.
Before you end the session, make sure to send gratitude to your body for all that it does so that you can have this life experience. Connect to the wonder and miracle of this machine, realizing that with its infinite intelligence, it performs so many complex biological, neurochemical, and other functions each moment of every day!
When you practice “mindfulness of the physical body” meditation often, you will soon start to feel a deep, compassionate connection with your body. In doing so, you will start to sense the body’s inner flow and its underlying connection with an even larger“Flow” of infinite intelligence. You may sense how this “Flow” of infinite intelligence feels interconnected with all beings, all life, everywhere, and yet it seems beyond the conscious mind’s comprehension.
Stay connected to your body, as often as possible. Simply be with the progression of this “Flow”. You don’t have to understand or analyze it.
If you have trouble connecting with your body, try spending more time out in nature. The earth with its natural environment can have a calming, and connecting effect. Try sitting outside on a beautiful day in a beautiful setting. Close your eyes, listen to the sounds of nature, feel the breeze across your face and sense what it feels like to be an integral part of this web of life.
In addition to “mindfulness of the physical body” meditation, you can also practice short bursts of “mindfulness of the physical body” all throughout each day. Simply check in with your body, and notice how it feels.
For example, right now, my upper back feels as though it has threaded knots tightening around my vertebra; my head, neck, and lower back feel relaxed, and the rest of my body feels energized, relaxed, and generally good. However, my scalp feels oddly tight and compressed.
I would love to hear how you practice mindfulness of your physical body and if you’ve noticed how it affects your “Flow”….
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Ronya Banks is the founder of and lead Mindfulness Meditation teacher at the Asheville Insight Meditation Community in Asheville (ashevillemeditation.com). As a veteran of nearly 30 years of intensive daily meditation practice, Ronya has been exploring the seen and unseen worlds to the point that these distinctions have fallen away and melded into one unifying realm – a realm she calls the “Flow.”
Ms. Banks leads mindfulness trainings for individuals and groups, including businesses (see mindfulnessremedy.comfor more information). She also offers her services to the world as a spiritual guide, business consultant, and energy healer.