Dear friend,
What is it like to live in your body? This past Sunday we explored caring for our bodies as a way to honor the Divine showing up as each one of us (and our bodies!) I encouraged you to say to your body, "I love you and I want you to flourish" and to send love to any hurting parts by saying, "I'm sorry you hurt. I love you."
In our book of the month for February 2020, Sonya Renee Taylor reminds us that we arrived here as love:
"Children do not arrive here ashamed of their race, gender, age, or disabilities. Babies love their bodies! Each discovery they encounter is freaking awesome. Have you ever seen an infant realize they have feet? Talk about wonder! That is what an unobstructed relationship with our bodies looks like. You were an infant once, which means there was a time when you thought your body was freaking awesome too... body shame is a fantastically crappy inheritance. We didn't give it to ourselves, and we are not obligated to keep it. We arrived on this planet as LOVE." - Sonya Renee Taylor in The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love p. 6 - 7
What would an 'unobstructed relationship' with your body look like? How would you feel? What would you do differently? How might you navigate illness?
In Day #4 of the Gandhi King Season for Nonviolence 64 Ways in 64 Days Comprehensive Daily Reflections, they ask us to consider that we've been entrusted with our bodies:
"When I regard my life as a trust, I realize that the first resource I have to take care of is my own body. This can be startling! Even my body is not really my own - it belongs to life, and it is my responsibility to take care of it. Taking care of it is a demonstration of nonviolence."
Taking both of these ideas to heart, we have an opportunity to return to this natural state of amazement of our bodies and to care for them with love, tenderness, and appreciation. We can release the restrictions, judgments, and criticisms in exchange for compassion, curiosity, and love.
This week I invite you to:
Take some time to listen to your body. What is it telling you?
Be curious. How might you support your body?
Love. How can you tend to your body?
And be sure to join us this coming Sunday, February 9, 2020 as we continue to delve into loving our bodies as the gift they are, exactly as they are.
All Love,
Cassandra
Cassandra Rae, spiritual director
Centre for Spiritual Living
Gather with us every Sunday at 10:30 am (doors open at 10)
Sunnyside Community Hall 1845 154 St, Surrey, BC V4A 5J8