Body as Soul Map-Week Four

Body as Soul Map- Week Four

                I use the term soul rather than personality, mind or identity because soul implies a connection with something greater than ourselves. Soul implies a connection with something that existed before our birth and will continue after our birth. This aspect of who we are, has been called various names over time and by different tribes and cultures. One of the truly exciting elements of these times is that we have matured to a stage when we can recognize the truth behind the symbols, names and representations of soul. These names are all the moon’s reflection in a bucket of water, they are not the moon, nor the source of light. We each have our own name for our spirituality and we must all be tolerate and appreciative of other people’s names and concepts around this aspect.

                For example, one of my clients was a man who initially professed to be an atheist and stated that he had no beliefs. I accepted his position and we worked solely with cognitive behaviour therapy. However, over a period of a few months, as his depressions, anxiety and substance use decreased and he started to rethink his position. I asked him if he had changed his thoughts on spirituality and he immediately stated that he had always been spiritual, but he had called this aspect of himself, faith. So from then on, we both called this greater-than-my-small-self - faith.

                I call this aspect soul because it implies the personalization of spirituality, god made manifest in the individual, my soul. An appreciation and study of soul will lead us to the next step.

                Week Four’s work will be to discover the direction of your attention. Direction is the  path that we have taken in the past and which we plan for the future. We all have a direction, although most people do not spend time to reflect on this direction and so become entangled in false paths, paths defined by others’ needs and desires. Part of the journey of studying the body as a soul map is be have greater awareness of our direction.

                A map without a direction is useless.

This next week reflect on these questions:

·         Where am I going?

·         Where are my thoughts typically focused?

·         What is my life’s purpose?

·         What are my sources of light and guidance?

These are all noble questions which can be asked on a daily basis in your journal, with your dance or while you are walking through the world. Catch the question in all your activists. No one can give you the answer to this question-but the answer, once known and experienced at a deep level, will help to heal the uncomfortable and painful areas within your body and within your soul.

Try This!

1.       This week notice where you focus your direction. Are you always thinking or worrying about money? Are you often worrying about what other people are thinking about you? What are you typically obsessing about?

2.       Notice when you are unconscious, or without direction. That trance like state that kicks in when you are confused and overwhelmed. What happens to your body during these times of unconsciousness? Does your posture change? Do you typically hold stress in some parts such as the belly, shoulders, or neck?

3.       Journal about this every day. Rise early, before dawn and take time to reflect on these matters which are the most important questions of your life! Come up with your own answers, not stock answers (I am working towards enlightenment.) Write out the details. Personalize it (I’ve noticed in my life a recurring theme of…) The more we can make this map clear, the easier our journey will be. Be courageous about brain storming with your ideas, maybe some things you write down, you will later change or redefine or expand on. That is OK.

Journal, journal, journal. Three pages a day. Go! Then notice again how these realisations are changing you. Notice again, and again. 

Next Week I will explain the final step in Body as Soul Map.