Listen with a body scan today — 40+8 | Day Thirty-Seven

breathe in | breathe out

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Question

What is possible for us when we tend
care-fully & skill-fully to these bodies?

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Logion 29

Yeshua says,

If flesh came into existence
for the sake of spirit,
it is a wonder,
but if spirit exists for the sake of flesh,
it is a wonder of wonders.
I am truly astonished how such richness
came to dwell in such poverty.

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Body Scan Practice

Listen deeply to your body today.
Here’s a body scan practice for you.

If you’re able, allow yourself the time.
Maybe set aside fifteen to twenty minutes.

If you’re able, allow yourself the space.
Find a quiet and safe space
where you will likely not be disturbed
and where you can know relative comfort.

Remove distractions -
turning off devices or notifications.

Take a moment at the beginning
to settle into the space and set intention.
Finding a place to sit or lie down,
begin with a few deep breaths
and then scan the room all around you.
Feeling fairly settled,
set an intention that works for you.
Maybe it is to listen deeply and connect to your body.
Maybe it is to act with careful attention to your body.

Now, if you like, close your eyes,
or gently leave them open.
Breathe deeply.
In through your nose
filling your belly.
Exhale completely and naturally.
Repeat these deep breaths throughout your practice.

Begin with gratitude, for this day,
this body, this opportunity to notice.
Let gratitude wash over and
through your body like a wave.

Now, with gentle attention,
start a slow scan of your body,

moving from above your head,

slowly down your forehead and temples,

your tongue and jaw,

the front and back of your neck,

into your shoulders,

down your arms, your elbows, your fingers.

Now your chest and down your rib cage

and spine, into your belly.

Again, noticing with gentleness.

Continue slowly to your tale bone, genitals

and hips, into your thighs,

your knees and calves

to your ankles and slowly

into your feet, heal, arch and toes.

Through your toes and into the ground.

Keep breathing deeply. Noticing.

Now come back to your guts,
and draw up from their depths
a powerful compassion.

Offer that compassion — that deep
and knowing acceptance — to your body.
Allow your body to feel care from your Self.

Keep breathing and rest here a while.

When you’re ready
allow another wave of gratitude
to wash over you
for the messy miracle of these bodies
for this life journeying in this body
and for this gift of care and acceptance.

Return to your day
with your breath and body
these instruments of loving presence.

Continue to listen through your day
allowing your breath and body
to remind you of your
capacity for gentleness and compassion

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