Mindfulness and meditation challenge – Week 2

Mindfulness of the Body

This week I would like to focus on body awareness.

In 5 online experiments, the researchers at Aalto University showed the 700 participants in the study 2
silhouettes and asked them to draw the regions of the body in which they felt different emotions
generated by the stories and situations presented. Here is the result:

Image source : http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/12/mapping-how-emotions-
manifest-in-the-body/282713/
When we become aware of our physical presence, we can better connect to the experience we are
experiencing. Emotions are not only felt in the mind, but also in the body. When we are upset or nervous,
we feel different sensations in the face, chest area. Fear manifests through a heart that beats louder, the
anxiety we feel in the stomach, the stress through a tension in the shoulders. The more we pay attention
to physical manifestations, the more we get to know each other better and to become more aware of the
state in which we are and thus we find out about ourselves, the environment and the relationships with
others.

In addition, an awareness of emotions a second before we are able to react to them creates that much
needed space that we can use to respond in a mindful way.

Michael Gershon, explains in his book "The Second Brain" that our internal organs are surrounded by a
network of nerves that send information to the brain - so the intuition - "your gut feeling" as Americans
say. That is why it is important to recognize the sensations of the body, which can make us more capable
in raising awareness of the information we receive and send from and to the environment. Yes, "Body
Language" works both ways, all we have to do is listen to it.

I invite you to practice this week the awareness of the body, both through the guided meditation, as well
as through the awareness of the physical sensations during the ordinary activities - walking, washing
hands, sitting state, etc.

A very good guided meditation for body scan I recommend it on the application “Stop, Breath, Think” that
you can find at this link : https://www.stopbreathethink.com/