Have you listened to your body lately?

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It’s been a while since I’ve shared my musings on health and happiness, and I thought you’d appreciate these words inspired by a news story about medical practices I recently heard on my local National Public Radio station.

The report addressed a study conducted with medical students during their internships.  The study instructed one group of students to listen to their patients and ask questions about their life, while the control group received no instructions about listening.  Big surprise—the patients who were listened to received better treatment and fared better overall.  Could there have been any doubt listening to patients was better for them than not listening to them?

I was saddened by this reminder of the disconnected way in which conventional Western medicine is so often practiced in this country.  Then it occurred to me this detached approach to healing is a reflection of the society in which this medical care system thrives.  If more people were listening to themselves, tuning into their feelings, and generally paying more attention to themselves, they would demand a healing system that honors them in the same way.

In my healing practice, a key step in the transformational process is to find where any sense of “dis-ease” resides in the body, and to then give that body part a voice. The uncomfortable feeling may range from tightness in the gut due to feeling trapped or anxious, to pain or weakness from an illness or injury.

Typically I ask my client to put their hand on the part of their body that is feeling pain or discomfort, and to pretend that body part can actually speak. Focusing on the body part, the client says, “I’m feeling hurt because  _________.” By finally giving the pain the attention it needs, the words describing the feelings behind the pain can be expressed easily. In fact, after being suppressed for so long, often those feelings are blurted out in a way that can be a bit startling—in a good way. The truth comes out and the healing can begin.

When we listen to what a body in pain has to say, it never fails to reveal a toxic emotion—typically related to a limiting belief—that has been stored in the subconscious mind for a long time.  These hidden feelings can cause people to be out of alignment with their divine nature and prevent them from experiencing the peace, love, joy, vitality—and sometimes even the abundance— they deserve.

In my case, for example, the left side of my body would frequently become contracted and cramped when I was under pressure. The pain was often debilitating, so much so I would end up curled in a fetal position, completely drained of energy.

After suffering through this condition periodically for many years, I finally asked that wound up, tensed feeling in my left arm, “What do you want to say?”  I then heard myself blurt out, “I’m not gonna make it!”

The second after the words came out of my mouth, my left arm started shaking itself out and I felt a tremendous release of tension from my entire left side.  I had apparently been holding on to an unconscious fear related to survival—i.e. if I didn’t get my task done in the allotted time, which was usually a self-imposed deadline, I subconsciously thought I would die. Once this feeling came forward and I acknowledged it, my body totally relaxed and came back into balance.  My conscious mind knew I would survive whether or not I accomplished my goal within a certain amount of time, but my subconscious was consumed with fear—a paralyzing fear of death.

When you are unaware that you are holding on to a feeling or belief that is out of alignment with the truth of your being, your body will try to get your attention and give you a clue. The longer it takes for you to take notice of what your body is trying to tell you, the more severe the physical manifestation of that repressed feeling.

If you want to feel better quickly, get in the habit of paying attention to your feelings of discomfort, lack, and limitation, and then locate those feelings in your body. When you find the spot where your uneasiness resides, put one of your hands on that part of your body—even if it’s a physical injury—and pretend it can talk to you.

Imagine your hand is a microphone and ask your body what it wants to say. Let your body speak.  Listen to it.  If it says it is angry, ask it why it is angry. If it says it is sad, ask it why. Keep prodding until there’s nothing left to say. Just acknowledging the hidden emotions that may come forward can be enough to release the pain/symptoms instantly and/or allow the sad/bad feeling to dissipate.

When you listen to yourself, you can give yourself the love, understanding, and reassurance your soul desires. Since your relationship with the world is a reflection of your relationship with your self, if you ignore your feelings, you also may be denying yourself a a more satisfying connection with others.

So listen up!  When your body needs to speak, listen.  Then see how much better you fare in every area of your life.

The ability to live in bliss is in your hands.  Choose bliss! 

Wishing you peace, love, joy, and abundance, always— 

Shari Covens

P.S.  Sometimes you may need help accessing those feelings that are stored beneath your conscious awareness. Soul Harmony™ Healing rapidly reveals and transforms the hidden emotions that can keep you trapped in unwanted patterns and that can cause pain and suffering, emotionally and physically.  It is my honor to guide souls through this graceful process of transformation so they can enjoy the clarity, peace, and bliss that is who they truly are. If you are ready to feel your absolute best in body, mind, and soul, please contact me at shari@sharicovens.com to arrange a phone call to see if Soul Harmony™ Healing is for you.  Sessions are conducted in person, on the phone, or via Skype, so I can work with you wherever you are.

©2016 Shari Covens. All rights reserved. If you would like to republish this article, you may most likely do so, providing  you 1. Email shari@sharicovens.com to request permission; 2. Cite Shari Covens, Founder, Soul Harmony™ Healing, Success Coaching, Seminars; and 3. Link to  www.sharicovens.com.