Natural Body Wisdom

Within each of us is a natural body wisdom. This knowledge is available to us in the form of sensations, urges and perceptions. This wisdom provides a feedback system which can guide us in maintaining health and wellness. The challenge is that we frequently ignore the messages this innate intelligence offers. Awareness and balance are the keys to accessing this knowledge. Respect is the foundation of our relationship with ourselves.

In many ways we are raised with considerable predigious toward the body in favor of the mind and spirit. Our culture and upbringing emphasizes the intellectual over the physical. We have been taught concepts such "mind over matter" which asserts that the mind is the master of our personality. Denial of the body is common among many religions. We have been told "that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". What if as wise eternal souls, we chose or were brought into this physical existence for the beauty and spiritual lessons that our body offers.

How often have we ignored a very tangible "gut" reaction to a situation which later proved to valid ? How often have we let our minds override the natural defenses systems that are built into our body ? How often do we allow religious dogma to cause us to doubt what we know in our bodies.

Sensations of the body such as hunger, fatigue, and pain are natural. Too often we view them as negative experiences. Just as a baby's cries are a communication of need, these sensations express the body's needs. When, we responded to our own body's "cries" with anger, frustration, and impatience, it's like pick up the baby and shaking them to quiet them down.

We can choose the alternative to an opportunity for us to focus our energy toward nurturing growth.

Even the disconcerting sensation of pain can be a positive force. Admittedly, at times excutiatingly uncomfortable, pain can be a dynamic message which warns us that a behavior or situation needs immediate attention and change.

When, we accept the essential goodness of our body's experiential knowledge we can make better balanced choices. We can choose to respond to hunger with clean whole foods rather than sugary snacks. We can react to fatigue with relaxation and rest rather than use caffeine. We can allow a feeling loneliness to invite us to join with others.

When the aspects of body, mind and spirit are held in balance the natural cravings of the body will present a true voice. This voice with integrity asks for what is truly needed. These are different from the cravings of addiction and neediness. These cry from a sense of emptiness which can never be filled. Natural cravings call from a sense of fullness which reflects a process of growing completion.

It has been said, "That one is truly prosperous, when one realizes they have what they need." Life's search is a continual process of realization that we richly possess the natural tools, abilities, and wisdom to bring us to wholeness.