The body doesn't lie. . .

Being in touch with ourselves isn't always as easy as it might seem.  Our mind and our body don't always give the same messages to the brain.  As humans mired in sin we can be so good at talking ourselves into feeling better about things if we try really hard.  We can convince ourselves to go somewhere we don't want to go, and do some things we don't want to do, or justify doing something we should probably avoid doing. . . but when it comes to our body- whether its stressed, overwhelmed, overworked, underfed, overfed, weary, or even thrilled and happy- the body does not and cannot lie to us. 

Every moment of every day, if you pay attention to your body, your physical self, you will be better able to know something very important about its integrity.  (Integrity meaning wholeness in this case.)  Are you well?  Ask your body?  What does it tell you?  Are you tired and worn out, mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically?  Ask your body and it will tell you!  Are you full of energy and ready to take on the next challenge?  Your body will tell you that also!  We simply need to take a moment and assess what our bodies have to say to us rather than slugging through life paying little or no attention to the signs of wellness and dis-ease that are presenting.

Our physical bodies also have the uncanny ability to connect to others around us.  Ever walk into a room and feel the tension?  Perhaps you don't see anything or hear anything that would give the mood away but you can certainly feel it if you pay attention to your body.  The body also warns us of danger and of evil. When I have an intuitive sense that I am in the presence of something or someone who is harmful or toxic, abusive or destructive, I have an overwhelming feeling of nausea.  I have been in the presence of abusers (even what I might call evil) without knowing it for sure and have had to flee the room before I vomited.  The body never lies.

Think of animals when they sense a storm coming. .  . what do they do?  Run!  Hide!  Gather their young and hit the road!  What do we do if we are only "thinking" about it?  Stand around and watch and see what spectacle might emerge.  What if we trusted our bodies?  What if we trusted the visceral reaction that our bodies gave us to clue us in to imminent danger?

Our bodies also do not lie in response to the holy.  In worship it happens where something comes over me that is so amazing and wonderful and filling.  The sights and sounds and smells of the space fill my senses and my body reacts with joy and wonder.  The body doesn't lie when it comes to connecting to the divine.

What experiences have you had (good or bad) where your body gave you distinct messages that you had to pay attention to?  How has that changed the way you trust your senses?