by Cynthia Bischoff | Jun 25, 2011 | Heartliving
Today, many of us are aligned with our intellects, living almost exclusively in our heads, while our bodies are encased in layers of armor or tension. The body seems merely to transport the intellect from place to place.
♥ The body is actually a reflection of the soul and has much to tell us about our mind and spirit. The soul’s essence is “connectedness” and our souls and hearts thrive on relationship. Ancient people knew this instinctively. Their survival depended upon their relationship to their environment, to each other, and to their bodies.
♥ As early as childhood, we learn to subjugate painful emotional events. These emotional traumas that the mind forgets are stored in the body in what is called “cellular memory.” We learn to dismiss or cut off signals from the body that remind us of painful experiences.
♥ As adults we too often ignore our bodies because the messages interfere with our daily routines. Our bodies contain a great deal of essential, natural wisdom about when to rest and when to act if we will just listen to its symptoms and sensations.
By listening to the body’s signals and rhythms we can come to full awareness and thus heal our past.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Jun 13, 2011 | Heartliving
How do you weave your spiritual journey into your daily life? Every choice you make leads you toward or away from balance. Being mindful of what you do that affects your body, mind, and spirit is important, and acting on what you know is your key.
♥ Ask: Does this choice make my heart feel heavy or light? While some things we need to do in life feel like a necessary burden, often we take on activities and commitments or even fear-based thoughts that weigh us down. Allow your heart to be a barometer of how you are feeling. If something feels “heavy” on your heart, be willing to let it go or redirect your energy. What might you need to say “no” to that you might have been doing for some time?
♥ Ask: How committed am I to creating a positive change? While you may know exactly what you need to do—for example, you know you would feel better if you exercised three times each week—your knowledge is not enough unless you act on what you know. What kind of structure have you created? Have you set aside a schedule of committed hours to exercise? How disciplined are you? Did you know that the word “discipline” has at its root “disciple” which simply means “to grasp”? Create a structure, establish an accountability partner, and reward yourself (in a healthy way) for staying with your positive commitments.
♥ Ask: How inspired and grateful am I? Remember EVERY day to hold a moment of conscious intent. When you brush your teeth, take your vitamins, or perform some sort of routine activity, associate holding your daily conscious intent with that moment. Simply ask yourself: What do I wish to learn today or how do I wish to experience my life today? DECIDE to have a more satisfying day and you will. Be the witness to a bigger picture of your life and how this day is a significant and valuable experience in it. Be grateful for the opportunity to be alive and live fully today!
Are you a creature of habit and find that old behavioral patterns feel automatic and are hard to break? Next post: “How to ‘Practice the Pause’”
Today, many of us are aligned with our intellects, living almost exclusively in our heads, while our bodies are encased in layers of armor or tension. The body seems merely to transport the intellect from place to place.