Embodied Awareness: Exploring Prayer through Physical Presence
reflection by Ashley Brooks
We are spiritual people; many of us know firsthand the harm that can come from a lack of soul care. Yet we are also embodied, made of flesh and blood. We cannot ignore the reality of our physical bodies: all the things they do for us and all the ways in which they falter or don’t work the way we wish they would.
To pretend that we don’t exist in a physical form is to turn away from one of the core pieces of our humanity. Our human bodies are intricately connected to our spiritual and mental health. Today, we invite you to explore the ways your physical posture may affect your experience of prayer and spiritual growth. We’re offering three simple practices to help you engage with your physical body through the wisdom it carries.
Adopt a Posture of Openness
Spiritual directors often talk about taking a posture of openness or curiosity about God’s movement in your life. But “posture” doesn’t have to be just a metaphor! Your physical stance can say a lot about your mental or spiritual state. If your arms are crossed and your shoulders slouch inward, you may naturally find that your mind is also less open to the ways God may be trying to catch your attention.
See how it feels to invite more mental and spiritual openness by shifting your physical posture. A common pose would be to simply hold your hands with your palms facing upward, symbolizing an openness to receive or let go of what God is calling you to. Other ways to express physical openness could be stretching your arms out wide and imagining yourself reaching out toward Divine Love, or standing and stretching into a slight backbend while picturing your heart opening.
Listen to Your Body
Your body has a lot to tell you, but it can be hard to hear what it’s saying when your mind is busy with the minutia of daily life. This moment is an invitation to pause and connect with your physical self. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Notice how your body feels. Become aware of your heartbeat.
Do you notice tension or a twinge of pain? Perhaps your hands are cold, your mouth is dry, or your eyes are fatigued. Maybe you have a sensation of exciting butterflies in your stomach, or a glowing warmth in your chest. Sit with whatever you’re feeling in the present moment with gratitude for your body as it is. Ask yourself if there’s something your physical body wants you to know. As you close, try to give your body what it needs before moving onto the next task of the day.
Stretch and Release Tension
Once you start listening to your body, it’s common to notice places of tension. If that’s true for you, notice these areas of stress and seek out a stretch that targets the muscles in that area. For example, if your neck and shoulders are often tight, gently roll your neck in slow circles in one direction, then the other.
We encourage you to search for a stretch that meets your body’s needs in this moment. As you stretch, thank your body for doing the work of holding tension during stressful situations. Then encourage it, with gratitude, to let that stress go now. If it’s helpful, imagine that the exhale of your breath is a wave of stress leaving your body.
Learn More about Embodied Spirituality
Ignatian spirituality aims to nourish and care for the whole person—a concept called cura personalis. That includes your physical body! In this spirit, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Groundings lecture with spiritual director Sarah Cledwyn. Sarah will guide us on postures of the spiritual journey, addressing questions such as “How does your spiritual journey express through your body?” and “What wisdom does your body hold about God that might help your heart and mind?” Learn more and register here.