JOY

The Joy of Being Embodied

Introduction to Mindfulness of the Body 

We embody the condition­ing that enables us to function in our culture. To a greater or lesser extent, we have accepted the rules and the mean­ings that have been impressed on us through the years. Whether we have accepted them fully or have tried to shape an independent direction. Our behavior has been molded by the expectations of others. Our view of our­selves is likely still to bear the influence of their attitudes and judgments.

Healing with Joy

From where we stand now, we may be able to reflect on what kinds of external experiences have shaped the course of our lives, but we may have no idea how years of restric­tion have affected the internal aspects of our bodies:

Senses
Nerves
Organs
Circulatory systems
Perhaps the way our mind operates.

Although our bodies are an ever-present resource for enjoyment and accomplish­ment, we may have neglected them for a long time.

Perhaps out of a sense of ownership, we have taken them for granted and abused them with frustration and worries. They may now be suffering from unresolved traumas hidden in the past. They may bear the secret scars of:

Strong thoughts
Agitation and anger
A propensity to rash actions.

They may be blocked by knots of tension that close off the flow of feeling.

Practicing non-judgmental mindfulness of the body we now have an opportunity to open these knots from within and bring up the feelings that have been locked within them. Offering the tools we need to relax deeply and open the sensory fields of our being, body awareness/scanning encourages us to touch sensitive places and embrace strong feelings without fear.

Practicing these embodiment exercises, we can develop joy that can wash out the painful residues of regret and trans­form anger and resentment into positive expressions.

As we are mindful of the language of our own bodies and senses, we gain more control over feelings, thoughts, and our style of expression. With an adult consciousness, we can experience freshly the openness of childhood and smooth out the confusion and chaotic associations that seem to be an inevitable outcome of our formative years.

We can find our true foundation, improve connections between senses, body and mind, and create a new life for ourselves based on a better understanding of our own embodiment.

In a way we have never before experienced, we can truly BE.

Source- The Joy of Being by Tarthang Tulka

 Adapted by G Ross Clark