Where Is Your Body Right Now?
You’ve seen my descent. Now watch me rise….
— Rumi
“Mr. Duffy lived at a little distance from his body….” Mr. Duffy, as depicted by James Joyce in his short story, “A Painful Case,” in fact lived his entire life detached from his physical existence – he even referred to himself internally in the third person. Painful indeed!
But don’t most of us live a short distance from ourselves -- at least at times? I know I can get so absorbed in thought while on the computer or driving or doing a hundred other activities, I can easily forget I have a body at all.
Now think of a time when you felt most embodied, when you felt like your mind and body were in complete harmony and your actions flowed from being fully present and in tune not only with yourself, but everyone and everything around you too.
One of the first moments I remember consciously having this experience was when I was rowing a single racing shell many years ago. Suddenly I felt like my boat, body, mind and breath merged into pure energy and I was flying. I started passing people who were usually better and stronger rowers. My coach was screaming from the motor boat, “yes, yes, yes!” Of course I didn’t stay in that state forever, but I had learned it was possible. And if it were possible, I could do it again.
How does this relate to coaching? In my last three blogs, I described the first three phases of a process I call RISE, which stands for Root, Inquire, Shift, Embody. After you root yourself in your values and purpose, after you recognize and inquire into patterns that narrow your opportunities, after you shift into a new awareness that is more aligned with who you want to be, then what?
It’s not enough to simply have a major insight about how you could respond differently and more effectively; you need to fully embody it. If it’s only in your head, it’s almost impossible to change your behavior. And embodiment takes practice. Lots of practice.
I know that from experience as well. I’ve had plenty of insights over the years, but the only ones that have stayed with me and made a difference in my life are ones I’ve consciously chosen to recognize, integrate and embody over and over and over again. Whatever form of practice you do – or even if you don’t have something you would call a practice, know that you don’t have to live like Mr. Duffy.
Instead, learn how to RISE with Cedar Wise. Set up a free “discovery session” today. You too can start living a more embodied life right now!
— written by Elise Miller and published February 1, 2022