Are You Really In Your Body?

This question hit me last week after I side-swiped a parked car while pulling into my driveway. I actually didn't realize what I had done until I got out and saw the scratches on my three month old car. I thought to myself, "Did I hit a car and not even feel it?" Yup, I sure did. As I walked to the street to assess the damage on the other car, I was instantly aware that I was not really "in my body." The business of my life and my over-thinking about current personal challenges had me completely in my mind.

Obviously I needed a bit of a wake-up call. And I guess it needed to be an expensive one to really get my attention...more on that later.

Many of you can probably relate to being so consumed with work, your personal life, and to-do lists that your mind is on constant overdrive. When we are in a mood of doing, figuring out, analyzing, pondering and planning, we utilize a ton of mental energy which disconnects us from the present moment. And as a result of this disconnection, our body becomes a machine to execute the tasks our mind commands rather than something we are aware of inhabiting.

Consider how much time you spend in your mind while your body is doing something else. You drive home from work on complete autopilot, you space out when someone is speaking to you, you rush through a meal barely tasting any of the food, you race through a parking lot never noticing the sunshine or the sounds of birds chirping, you read three pages in a book and suddenly realize you have no idea what you just read. Checking out of the present moment has become a nasty habit!

How about creating a new habit to check back in? Right now, I invite you to get back in your body by sharing a process that came to me after my "oops" check-out moment last week. Begin by sitting in a very comfortable position with your back supported and your feet on the floor. I encourage you to have bare feet so you can actually feel the texture of the ground beneath you (and it's even better if you can do this outside or somewhere in nature to really connect with the earth). Close your eyes and take five deep breaths holding each inhale for the count of five. As you do so, bring your complete awareness to your breath. If thoughts come in, that's okay. See the thought and then visualize it floating away on a white cloud as you come back to your breath. Each time the mind grips you, and it will, come back to your breath.

After the five breath cycles, just allow your breathing to be slow, deep and natural. Then bring your attention to your feet. Really feel your feet. Imagine that they are like suction cups gripping the ground and drawing in energy from the core of the earth. Feel yourself get grounded and present in your body. You can even imagine chords or ropes extending from your feet, connecting you to the earth. Keep breathing. Once you feel grounded, (and you may even feel the sensation of clicking back into your body), slowly begin to bring your awareness to the top of your head. Then imagine from the top of your head, a white column of white light connecting you to Source, the Universe, God or whatever you call it. Visualize your mind surrendering and opening. Keep breathing. Feel the expansiveness of your mind when it is absent of mental minutia.

Finally, bring your awareness to the balance of energy that is present in your body. Through your connection to your feet, you are grounded and rooted in your body. Through your connection to a Higher Consciousness, you are expansive and attuned. Give yourself some time to bask in this beautiful harmony. From this place, you can set an intention, say a prayer, or simply enjoy the present moment. When you are ready, you can bring your awareness back and open your eyes.

What I love so much about the process is the interplay between a rooting and expanding energy which are fueled by the breath and accessible via the present moment. It gets us back in our body through grounding us to the earth while offering the opportunity to go beyond our mind.

And just in case you are wondering, I did have the ethical debate inside my head of "do I or don't I leave a note?" on the car I hit. The bumper already had quite a bit of damage- most of which was not from my car, so did I really have to leave a note? The person would probably try to get me to pay for more than I was responsible for. I made a case for both sides in my head for about an hour and finally realized that it would be completely out of integrity for me not to leave a note. So I did. And I waited. The note remained on the windshield of the car for four days and each day I just held the intention that the matter would be sorted out with grace and ease.

Finally, I got a call from owner of the car. She sounded pretty upset and I could feel myself getting upset. I did a "quickie" grounding visualization which supported me in being calm and present for our conversation. I listened and then spoke slowly while making what I thought to be a very fair offer. She wanted more. I held my ground (and I am noticed it's much easier to hold my ground when I am grounded!) and within about three minutes, she agreed to my offer.

As I wrote out the check to her, I reframed what may have been perceived as a dumb mistake resulting in financial loss to a lesson resulting in gaining a reconnection. I needed a nudge to get out of my head and into my body. So I ask you, what has been nudging you? Are you lost in your mind? Don't wait for an accident or emergency to pull you into the present moment, take yourself there right now.

- Christine

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Comments

[TalkTalkTAlk]

its a form of hypnosis, its natural and common and really works in your favor for the most part, download some hypnosis tapes and learn to recognize the experience and this "phoning it in" can become an incredible tool to enhance your productivity and well being

[davidwayneosedach]

This eventually happens to all of us. Some times a lot more disasterously.

[liminal67]

What if you're typing it in.... or blogging it in... or twittering it in....

http://pitchbendpost.blogspot.com/

[xtina8o4]

Thank you so much for your thoughts! You describe the concept of mindfulness and process of mindfulness meditation so clearly. Mindfulness (awareness of the present moment) is such an important idea that seems to have escaped our Western culture; we move through life so mindlessly and mechanistically that we're really missing the beauty of it all. Scientific papers on mindfulness support its value and an entire "Third Wave" of clinical therapy has begun to incorporate this important principle as a basic tenet of its practice (e.g, ACT, DBT, etc). Thich Nhat Hanh also writes some great books about mindfulness and the inherent peace of the present moment. It's value is immeasureable and I hope that your words inspire others to adopt this practice into their life. ~Get out of your mind and into your life!

[pc51]

It used to be that when I drove over the Bay Bridge I was scared to death. Later, after a few months of driving it, I had to stop and try to remember if I had gone over it yet! I would be so lost in thought that I would drive right over a 3+ mile bridge and not remember doing it!

[Arithrianos]

Thanks for the reminder. I keep in contact with my body by using breath, as well as not wearing shoes as much as is safe. I have gotten a talking to at work because it's "dangerous" as though i would be protected by wearing flip flops, which is an accepted "shoe". The meditaion you write about seems the same as a practice called joining heaven and earth in my tradition, it is how one properly takes the throne of mind.

[OtayPanky]

Blogger: Checking out of the present moment has become a nasty habit!

===

Checking out of the present moment to tell others how to live is a nastier habit...and much harder to kick, too.

[xtina8o4]

Your close-mindedness and ignorant judgement are only going to hurt yourself. No one is "telling others how to live," no one is challenging your personal freedom..your best bet might be to explore whatever underlying issues have caused you to react so strongly. You clearly missed the point and it's very unfortunate for you.

[feyangel]

I have been noticing lately that I pop "out of my body" as I find myself being assaulted by more than the usual number of challenges in my life. I become very ineffective at handling situations when I am not really "present" here. I have been making sure I take time to BREATHE and to do other things several times a day that "ground" me-- like taking walks outside, doing yoga, listening to music, connecting with the people in my life that are important to me, petting my dog, meditating, exercise, etc.. And it does seem to help. I am more grounded and more effective at dealing with challenging situations as they come up.

[AngieMom57]

Too important not to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX9GTUMh490

Think Different!

[Blaze Harper]

It is an add for apple computer and it is not too important not to watch.

Think !