Paying attention as a practice of freedom

Somatic practice: Take a moment to get comfortable wherever you are. See if you can rest a little more in your chair or find a place on the ground or standing if that’s more easeful for you. Take a few deep breaths and relax as much as you are able in this moment. Let your eyes move slowly over the words, paying attention to your own emotions and sensations as you read this piece. See what arises. 

The experience of spaciousness and expansiveness in our bodies is a powerful tool.

It offers a sense of freedom.

In any situation we are faced with when we don’t immediately react — We allow ourselves space to notice the sensations, emotions, and thoughts arising.

We are present to our own experience.  

We have spaciousness to choose a response.

One that serves who we are becoming—our purpose, intentions and integrity. 

This is our agency. 

We can feel into the vastness of possibility and choose our own freedom in this moment.

This doesn’t mean bypassing discomfort. 

It means being with whatever is unfolding, and staying centered in our agency—how we chose to respond in this moment. 

Paying attention is an essential practice for this way of being in our body in the world. 

Practicing somatics can help us notice what is happening in our own bodies, so that we can be present and aware of the moment of choice. 

Maybe we want to shift a certain pattern in how we tend to react, so that we are living more in alignment with who we want to be.

Maybe we want to notice that moment right before we yell at our child or get into the same old argument with our partner.

Finding a practice that resonates for you and helps you notice and pay attention to your own conditioned tendencies can be extremely helpful as you navigate relationships and how you want to show up in the world.

What are you experiencing in your body?

How are you living or engaging in resourced ways? Some examples are journaling, meditating, walking, dancing, playing, singing, and therapy.

What are some ways that you are coping or cultivating habits you don’t want to continue?

What might freedom feel like in your body?

Somatics is all about how you are present in this moment. It can also help you notice how you escape or disassociate from your own experience. Let’s practice being more aware now, which is also a way to move towards embodying how you might hope to show up in the future.