I Am More Than My Body

Discussion followed by guided visualization. You are not limited to your body. When you realize all things are connected, you feel an expansiveness that transcends physical limitations. This is one key to happiness and groundedness, especially for those of us who put so much stock in the size and shape of our bodies. Enjoy!

Transcript

Hey there Wonder Women, Today we'll be talking about our bodies and our selves. They are connected, But not entirely the same. But first, I'm grateful for a second chance at love, My smiling, Giggling kids, Most of the time, And summer vacation. Have I mentioned that you are loved, Appreciated, And accepted? If you don't feel that, Please reach out to a friend, Loved one, Post in the Facebook group, Or shoot me a message. This planet is better because you're in it and you should feel like it. We're going to do our meditation later in this session because I'd like to talk to you before we do the guided visualization. My intention today is to empower you to realize you are not your body. You are not limited to your body. We as women spend so much time thinking about our bodies, Wanting parts to be different, Smaller, Rounder, Straighter, Tighter, Tanner, Lighter, Less hairy, Smoother, More graceful, Whatever. Sometimes we want so badly to change that we cling to the idea of a better self. That it ludes us. Another teacher said it was like trying to grasp it so hard that it slips through our fingers. Wanting something this badly means we are too attached to it. Attachment leads to suffering according to Buddhism and yogic philosophy. This is the last thing we want. When we are so attached to a future ideal, We miss what's right in front of us. The present moment making us less happy, Less calm, Less likely to make our intentions come to fruition. Instead, When we see the body as a vessel for the soul, Spirit, Energy, Whatever you want to call it, You can be less attached and more present. You may inhabit your body for this lifetime. You may use it to bring yourself back to the present moment. You may use it to run, Walk, Swim, Jump, Get where you're going, Speak to others, Give hugs and kisses, Dance the night away, And attend Zoom meetings. But what's inside is you. You are not your body. You want to be connected to your body, But not so attached to it looking a certain way. Let's start a mindfulness meditation in which I guide you through a journey to deepen your understanding of this. This mindfulness meditation is adapted from one by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh in his book The Miracle of Mindfulness. Move to an empty space. Somewhere you'll be alone and won't be disturbed. Find an easy seated position on the floor, On a cushion, Or in a chair. Close your eyes. Begin to deepen your breath so that the air is filling your lungs and lower belly. Pull your shoulders back and down, And on the next inhale, Fill your belly with air. Fill it all the way up. Hold, And then take one more sip of air. Hold and sigh it out slowly for eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One. Very good. Breathing in again, Filling your belly with air. Fill it all the way. Then take one more sip of air. Hold and sigh it out of your mouth. Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One. Last time. Fill that belly up with air, Inhaling through the nose. Take one more sip of air. Hold and then sigh it out slowly for eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, And one. Return your breathing to normal. And now begin to imagine that your body stays seated in its current place, But you begin to rise up, Up, Up above your body, Hovering over it. You float there. You can call yourself a spirit, Soul, Whatever you'd like. It's you. You float there among the treetops, The mountaintops, The blue skies, And the birds. You rise above and look down at your body, Which is sitting calmly in stillness. Now point to your body down below and think to yourself, I am pointing at myself. Next, Point to everything around you, The trees, The mountains, The sky, The birds, And think to yourself, I am pointing at myself. It's okay if it feels contrived. Just stay with it. Begin to look around you. Notice the outline of leaves, The flutter of birds' wings, The cool breeze, Maybe a river or water source down below. Begin to focus in on these details. Think to yourself, I am these trees. I am these leaves. I am the mountain. I am the sky. I am the birds. I am water. It may feel awkward or forced, But stay with it. You're doing great. You are not limited to this human body. Feel the lines between different objects blur. Begin to see everything as atoms. It's unclear where you stop and the air and other objects around you begin. It's unclear where they stop and you begin. Now rise higher above the trees and begin to think, I am the sky. I am the clouds. Continue rising up, Up, Up. Look down at the homes below, The buildings, Schools, Fields, Parks. Imagine yourself high above these and again think to yourself, I am those too. See people walking below as you float higher and higher. Think to yourself, I am them too. Keep floating higher and higher until you're among the stars. Think to yourself, I am these stars. These stars are me. Float in space, Seeing planets, Stars, The sun, Comets, Debris. Think to yourself, I am the universe and the universe is me. There is no birth, There is no death, There is no coming, There is no going. Feel warm energy coursing through your veins and lifting you up higher and higher into space. Think to yourself, I am the universe and the universe is me. Continue repeating this as you begin to see the lines blurred between you and space, Space and you. The lines begin to blur between space and the sun, The sun and space. Fill up on the universe's energy, Your energy. There is no future, There is no past, There is just this moment and this moment and this one. See and feel how infinite and expansive you are. Draw your lips together into a gentle smile, Notice how free you feel in this moment. Notice how warm and loved you feel in this moment. Place your palms together to solidify this feeling. Bow your head in gratitude for this amazing gift of life. Stay here as long as you'd like, Imprinting this feeling on your hands in a gesture of prayer, Knowing that every day in every way you're taking better and better care of yourself and every day in every way you're getting closer and closer to ultimate body freedom. Again, Stay here as long as you'd like, Stay light, Healthy, Confident and free.