What do you pay attention to when you are getting to know a part of you? Read on…
Sean writes:
When getting to know a part… are we concentrating on the felt sense of the part … or the emotions, thoughts, images coming from it?
Dear Sean:
When you say “the felt sense of a part,” I think you mean how the part feels in the body, is that right?
Technically, the way a part feels in your body isn’t a felt sense, because felt senses come freshly, uniquely, in this moment. And the bodily feeling of a part tends to be repetitive, or constant.
But that distinction isn’t so important here, because the real question is whether you pay attention to how a part feels in the body, or its emotions, thoughts, and images.
All are important — but the body comes first. Let me give you an example.
Let’s say you want to get to know a part of you that resists exercising.
You bring awareness to your body, and invite that part… and wait. Perhaps you’ll picture yourself exercising, and be aware of what comes up in you to say No to that.
Now be aware of where you feel it (in your chest? your shoulders?) and what it feels like (like pressure? like pulling back?). And check with it if your description fits.
After you do that, you can be open to thoughts, emotions, and images. Perhaps you see a person with armed crossed, shaking his head “No.” Perhaps you can sense that this part of you feels discouraged. Whatever you sense, you can let it know you hear it… and there will be further steps.
The body sense is important because, if there is a shift from the process, that’s where you’ll feel the change. And of course… in your life!
