When we are sad, tears come, when we are in pain, sad thoughts start to develop, when we are burdened by life, the body aches, etc. Mind and body are connected: emotions, thoughts, behaviours and body are in constant communication, aligning with each other, sharing happiness or pain.
It is easy to understand the level of harmony this connection can offer in good times: let's imagine you receive wonderful news - e.g. a love message you have been dreaming of, a job offer you have been fighting for. You instantly feel elated, positive thoughts start to abound - you make positive plans for the future, you are already planning your next achievement, you feel on a roll. You are happy and joyful, your body feels lighter, movements are easier as if you suddenly gained suppleness, you are more outgoing and smile easily at others, sharing your energy. "Life is fantastic", "planets are aligning", "all other issues can be solved", "there is always hope". You know why you feel light, you know your happy body is supporting more joy, you know your thoughts are feeding this beautiful newfound energy.
When everything starts to go wrong, it is harder to understand this connection: let's say you start to have chronic back pain, doctors are helping but not solving it, it keeps coming back. You don't really know where that's from. Admittedly, you had more work lately and things are a bit difficult with friends or family, but nothing you haven't been able to manage in the past. Pain and problems are cumulating, it is now unclear when this negative dynamic started. It is becoming difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel... "back pain! again, great", "of course there is another issue, looks like my life is all about issues lately", etc. You have the pieces of the puzzle but you don't really see the bigger picture. You feel lost, like a leaf drifting in the air.
When it becomes difficult to understand what is happening in your life, listen to your body: it is your anchor point into the present moment in the present physical, material reality. Your thoughts can't be touched like your hand, your emotions don't have a scent like your skin. Engaging your senses will stop this 'drifting in the air' movement.
Here is what you can do to help:
- the 5-4-3-2-1- technique is powerful to get you out of a moment anxiety, when you need to stop the constant noise inside your head or when you transition from daily life to a meditation. It engages all 5 senses. More about it following that link: https://www.confiself.com/post/anxiety-peak-the-5-4-3-2-1-technique
- meditation scanning your body: many are available online. Simply sit in silence alone, lower your gaze or close your eyes, breathe deeply 3 to 5 times, scan your body starting by your feet, then legs, belly area, heart area, shoulders, neck, face, head. Focus on how you feel in your body, accept it - don't fight pain or numbness. This can be done during the day in only a few minutes when you feel overwhelmed, and/or after the previous 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Longer meditations are possible too.
- Journaling with hand writing: taking a piece of paper and a pen is old school, yes. It is also a simple and efficient way to engage the body. Crossing out, drawing a little something when words don't easily come, looking at the ink on the paper, feeling the quality of the paper, etc.: it all brings you back in the present moment through your body.
- Mindful movements: there is walking, and there is walking with your mind in your entire being, focusing on your body posture at every step. This is a type of meditative movement. How to you land your feet on the ground? how does it feel? Can you feel the difference when you go faster? You can also find equivalent of this technique in martial arts, tai chi, yoga, some types of dances, Japanese arts - they invite the participants to meditate through the mindful repetition of movements (kata).
- Breathe with your chest or belly: for example, breathing in, sticking out your chest, then emptying your chest completely. Or breathe in, blowing up your belly, then empty your belly completely.
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