Do you have to sit still to do Focusing? Read on…
A Reader writes:
I’ve tried Focusing, but my body seems to rebel at holding still for so long. That was my problem with meditation as well.
I have a restless body and when I try to sit still, all I can think about is that I want to move!
Dear Reader:
Good news! You don’t have to sit still for Focusing!
I know it can seem that way. In a lot of the demonstrations of Focusing, the person is holding still. That’s the most typical way. But not the only way!
As the Focuser, you get to sense what your body feels and what it needs. If you give yourself permission to move, you may find movement arising naturally.
You may find your hands making gestures as you search for a description for what you’re feeling. The gesture you’re making might be a better description than any words.
You may find your body leaning, or trembling, or shaking. That’s likely to be a natural expression of what something in you is feeling — and it can be helpful to let it come.
You may get the urge to get up, move around. Go ahead — and pay attention to how it feels to do that.
I actually like to do Focusing while taking a solitary walk. The rhythmic movement seems to help me stay with strong feelings and listen to them. That’s another way to bring movement into Focusing.
Accompany your movement with awareness… and let your body lead the way!
