Loving the Body
Last week, a really strong theme came up with multiple people in my therapy practice.
There was a distinctive focus on loving the body. More commonly, how difficult it can be to love the body.
So I want to offer you a version of a practice I provided for my clients.
It is inspired by Loving Kindness meditation:
Find a comfortable place to sit up straight or lie on the floor.
Choose to close your eyes or focus softly on an object in front of you.
Notice that you are breathing and take an intentional breath.
Choose something about your body that is easy for you to appreciate: that your body got out of bed this morning, your beating heart, your strong legs, sharp eyes, your left pinky toe because it’s cute…
Send your breath to this place in your body. Then send love to this place with your breath.
Say to yourself “May I feel love for my body. May I share love for all bodies.”
Now choose a part of your body that is a bit more difficult to love.
Send your breath to this place in your body. Then send love to this place with your breath.
Say to yourself “May I feel love for my body. May I share love for all bodies.”
In heart or with a visual in your mind, imagine the many different bodies all over the world.
Send your breath to your whole body and beyond. Send love to yourself and everyone in the world.
Say to yourself “May all bodies experience love and acceptance.”
Now slowly let this focus go.
Gently open your eyes if close, sit up.
Notice how you feel in your body, emotions, thoughts and soul.
