September 29, 2021

Before I write about resonant spirituality and the inclusion of the practice of meditation, I'd like to expand the mainstream notion of yoga.  Initially evolved as a means of opening the being to the spirit, it is now an accepted exercise routine found in many gyms and exercise studios. This is a wonderful thing, that an age-old technique can be found to be of great use in our modern world. However, if we feel the call in our hearts to explore a life of spirit, we will find that a yoga practice can be a most wonderful lead towards our understanding of this that we call life. The suggested eight limbs of yog, found in the ancient scripture, Patanjali Yog Darshan, prescribes asana (yoga positions) as necessary to keep the body supple and free from pain, all to enable us to better meditate. Thus yoga can be an embodied spiritual practice.

The actual term (embodied spirituality) embraces practices that address the disconnect many people have between their bodies and their feelings, between their bodies and the thought of themselves, between their bodies and the natural world and between their bodies and their true Self.  As human beings, we all do want the same thing: etre bien dans la peau - to feel well in our bodies on all levels of being, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. But something often happens along the way to confuse matters, and before we know it, our bodies are telling us stories that we just don't want to believe.

A basic tenet of embodied spirituality is to begin where we are with what we have. This is exactly where the practice of Somayog begins! Now, we may find that we don't like this place very much: I am too tall, short, fat, thin.............Should that happen, please allow yourself a generous moment for a PityParty and then try again, just to accept, that's all. No-one is cracking a whip; you are just seeing and accepting what is.; this is me, here, now. The value in this is that these seeds of insight can grow into a healthy forest of inner awareness and outer expression. Embodied spiritual practices' approach to life says that the more we become familiar with our lives as bodily beings, the more connected we become with others and the whole. Our spirit is then able to unfold more easily from within, bringing with it a sense of wonder amidst the sacredness of life.

Examples of embodied spiritual practices include centering, prayer, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, chi-gong, t'ai chi, even just a walk in the woods as last month's blog illustrated. All of these can allow the heart to open, bodily sensations to be felt and noted so that any movement, no matter how small, can embrace the continuity between body, heart, mind and soul within ourselves and those around us.

As September heads towards autumn I find myself savouring those moments of happy anticipation when I think of what lies ahead. I am so-called retired, although I have ever denied that to be the case; I will always have projects on the go. I have opened myself up to the thought of teaching again, but this time,  on request. I know I can help folks on their journey with ways that can bring amazing results. But the person has "gotta wanna". That is the first step in any journey, physical or spiritual.

My last (and first) blog series was written from a position of weakness as I lived through the devastating process and effects of cancer for a second time in this life. Sometimes I think I must be one hard nut to need the lesson twice, but each turn of the karmic wheel can bring up deeper insights of the same issue. I now write from a position of strength and wellness, thank the Lord. This doesn't mean I don't ever get sick or feel down - God knows I have a doctor for every body part. It means I am enjoying where I am now and eager for more; starting where I am with what I have.