When I did the body scan practice today I learned how tired my body is. I usually enjoy body scans - they help me connect to my body and reground myself to the present. But today I could not stay awake for more than a minute as I was listening to the meditation. So I am going to try to get better sleep in the next couple days and do the body scan again this weekend.
I’m in awe of anyone who enjoys body scans! It is wonderful that you were able to accept that your body is tired and work to give your body what it needs.
It took me awhile to learn to appreciate body scans. I still don't know if I'd say that I enjoy it, but it does help me to get more in touch with my body.
Dr. Chanequa: Thank you for helping me feel less alone with my mild aversion to body scan meditation. It is a PRACTICE, which means I get to continue practicing as I learn to be more in touch with my body and what it’s trying to tell me.
Colleen, it took me a while to understand and accept "body scans." Be gentle with yourself. My pace with that practice differs depending on the time of day I do it.
I mostly enjoy them because I have ignored my body for so many years that I think my body feels grateful to finally be noticed and have what it’s feeling acknowledged. I think I enjoy them too because it helps me focus on something during meditation. I really struggle with my mind wandering during meditation, which is a sign I need to practice that more!
I used the Body scan by Manoj Dias, mainly because it was the shortest. I was also short on time and patience last night.
I will also confess that I have never liked body scan meditations …. Which is also a sign that I NEED them.
Last night, I noticed that I was holding a lot of tension in my jaw due to a very annoying situation late in the evening. I think my body may have been telling me to find some ways to keep this type of situation from recurring in the future.
The Declaration of Forgiveness from the liturgy of last night’s midweek Lenten Service reminded me of yesterday‘s practice.
“… Loosen your grip, that you may be more tightly held, more warmly comforted, and more tenderly nourished. Your stony heart will soften like the river’s frozen mouth. Your stiff neck will relax as you accept God’s love, allowing you to see more of the world around you…”
I found it extremely uncomfortable in the beginning to try to breathe more slowly and felt very antsy - so it surprised me that I kept drifting into sleep!
I tried the Brief Body Scan by Dr C in the evening, lying down. As suspected, I think I dozed off after about five minutes. At first I was annoyed but then decided that it was okay as I could try again another day. Reflecting on body scans did remind me of a time about three years ago when I was trying to do a body scan to hear my heartbeat and it seemed impossible. About three weeks after that I was hospitalised for heart issues and I remember lying in the hospital bed so aware of my heartbeat and feeling every pulse throughout my body.
When I did the body scan practice today I learned how tired my body is. I usually enjoy body scans - they help me connect to my body and reground myself to the present. But today I could not stay awake for more than a minute as I was listening to the meditation. So I am going to try to get better sleep in the next couple days and do the body scan again this weekend.
I’m in awe of anyone who enjoys body scans! It is wonderful that you were able to accept that your body is tired and work to give your body what it needs.
It took me awhile to learn to appreciate body scans. I still don't know if I'd say that I enjoy it, but it does help me to get more in touch with my body.
Dr. Chanequa: Thank you for helping me feel less alone with my mild aversion to body scan meditation. It is a PRACTICE, which means I get to continue practicing as I learn to be more in touch with my body and what it’s trying to tell me.
Colleen, it took me a while to understand and accept "body scans." Be gentle with yourself. My pace with that practice differs depending on the time of day I do it.
Sandra …. Those are some lovely words of wisdom
I mostly enjoy them because I have ignored my body for so many years that I think my body feels grateful to finally be noticed and have what it’s feeling acknowledged. I think I enjoy them too because it helps me focus on something during meditation. I really struggle with my mind wandering during meditation, which is a sign I need to practice that more!
I used the Body scan by Manoj Dias, mainly because it was the shortest. I was also short on time and patience last night.
I will also confess that I have never liked body scan meditations …. Which is also a sign that I NEED them.
Last night, I noticed that I was holding a lot of tension in my jaw due to a very annoying situation late in the evening. I think my body may have been telling me to find some ways to keep this type of situation from recurring in the future.
Lately I've been noticing that I'm holding myself a lot. I'm trying to use my mindfulness practice to help me release.
That is an excellent suggestion…. To use body scans with the goal of helping me release
Colleen.. "help in the release of tension"...YEAH
The Declaration of Forgiveness from the liturgy of last night’s midweek Lenten Service reminded me of yesterday‘s practice.
“… Loosen your grip, that you may be more tightly held, more warmly comforted, and more tenderly nourished. Your stony heart will soften like the river’s frozen mouth. Your stiff neck will relax as you accept God’s love, allowing you to see more of the world around you…”
I love this!
Dr. Chanequa: It truly is such a lovely way to declare God’s forgiveness
Thank you Colleen for this phrase "Loosen your grip, that you may be more tightly held...more tenderly nourished."
What a beautiful and gentle invitation to be.
You’re welcome, Sandra. It was lovely and unexpected, yet profound, to receive God’s forgiveness in such an embodied wya.
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing it. I especially love the imagery of letting my stiff neck relax to accept God’s love.
That's beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
I dozed off! Will try again!
I found it extremely uncomfortable in the beginning to try to breathe more slowly and felt very antsy - so it surprised me that I kept drifting into sleep!
I tried the Brief Body Scan by Dr C in the evening, lying down. As suspected, I think I dozed off after about five minutes. At first I was annoyed but then decided that it was okay as I could try again another day. Reflecting on body scans did remind me of a time about three years ago when I was trying to do a body scan to hear my heartbeat and it seemed impossible. About three weeks after that I was hospitalised for heart issues and I remember lying in the hospital bed so aware of my heartbeat and feeling every pulse throughout my body.