Who’s Minding the Body?

It’s not unusual to meet people on the spiritual path that just don’t look healthy. The assumption used to be that if you were connected to your spirit then a healthy, trouble-free body would naturally follow. And that certainly isn’t true by any stretch of the imagination. For people who work with energy, there is often a weight problem, there are psychics and yogis who smoke and there are plenty of exercise-crazy people who eat garbage between races. So if the “enlightened” ones don’t have their act together what are the rest of us to do? Just as I advise my Soul Coaching® clients, first we clear out the clutter. How does that work with our bodies?

First we have to get clear on what our physical body needs to stay healthy and well and that will be different for each of us. One option is to go to a holistic nutritionist who will guide you and offer recommendation for optimal health. My daughter does this work and I’ve seen the impact her work has on the life of her clients. Whether you choose to get help in your journey to have a healthy body, or you do it yourself, you will need to get rid of your body clutter. Body clutter would be all the mental attitudes about your body with which you bombard yourself daily along with all the actual things you put in your mouth that you don’t really want to eat. How many times a day do you eat anything you find, whether you like it or it’s healthy for you? How often will you eat just one food all day long, just because you like it? These are “clutter foods” because they either clutter your counter tops or your cabinets, and they make the attempt to find something healthy to eat like running an obstacle course. Clearing out your kitchen of clutter foods is a great start and you will be on your way to a healthier body, but you ultimately will be left alone with your thoughts.

Ask yourself, “What beliefs do I have about my body and my health?” Write down your answers. See which beliefs and assumptions no longer serve you. Take the ones that you want to get rid of and burn them (in a fireproof container) and release them to the Universe. Or, bury them in your yard and ask Mother Earth to transform and transmute these thoughts into healthier ones. Find a new way to look at your health and your soul journey will have begun. I know for myself, I’m constantly trying to find just the right way of eating so clutter clearing is an on-going exercise. But once you get rid of what no longer serves your highest good  you will still need to do “tune-ups.” Use the beginning of each season to run a “diagnostic” on your attitudes and eating and shift into your best health each time. Ironically, it’s by paying attention to your body and mind that allows your spirit to soar. You can’t get there by focusing on only one aspect of yourself. Taking an attitude of mindfulness when you make your food choices and listen to what going on in your head, will serve your highest good in body, mind and spirit.