Hello,
I'm Dr.
Candice Creaseman and this is part two of the three-part series on embodiment.
In part one,
We began cultivating awareness of our bodies,
Learning how,
As Tara Brach has described,
To have our bodies and minds in the same place at the same time.
It is really hard to have a body in a world that has very narrow and specific ideas about what makes a body good and worthy.
In today's practice,
We will work to connect with those aspects of our bodies that we seek to alter,
Avoid,
Or cling to,
Cultivating compassion and awareness for our physical forms.
We will begin and end with a bell.
Start by finding a comfortable position,
Relaxed,
And aware.
You can have your eyes open or closed for this practice.
Breathe deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Maybe open your hands and rest them in your lap as a signal to your body that you are open to learning the ways that you and others have made your body an object of avoidance,
Struggle,
Or rejection.
Now bring your awareness to an area of your body that has been a focus of negative attention.
If you feel an urge to leave your body or tighten uncomfortably against contacting this part,
See if you can find an area of the body that feels less intense.
Once you've found this space,
Start to notice the sensations in this area of your body.
This urges to turn away from this part.
Continue to breathe and gently stay.
Now imagine that this part of you is conscious and is aware of how you or others feel about it.
Imagine that this part has no ill will toward you and is open and receptive to any feelings of warmth or compassion that arise as you encounter this part's story.
If negative judgments,
Memories,
Or other painful internal experiences start to arise,
That's okay.
Just imagine that they are dust or leaves blowing around you as you sit in communion with this part of your body.
Continue to hold an aspect of your body in awareness,
Hear its story,
And offer it your warm attention.
You will continue for the next few minutes in silence.
You will continue for the next few minutes in silence.
You will continue for the next few minutes in silence.
Now bring your awareness to the sounds around you and the space around you.
Maybe offer thanks to your body for seeing you through,
If that feels available.
You don't have to force gratitude,
But embrace it if it's there.
Whenever you're ready,
You can open your eyes.
