Inner Work

For the week of September 15, 2008

Body Scan

One very useful method, derived from Buddhist sources, for establishing presence through contact with bodily sensations consists of scanning the body with our attention. Imagine a flat plane parallel to the ground. Starting at the top of the head, we slowly move this plane down, becoming aware of the sensations of that portion of the body through which the plane is passing, like an MRI or CT scan.

This plane of attention may reveal “dark” areas of the body where we have no physical sensations. For those regions, we take a few moments to direct our attention and draw the sensitive energy to them. Continuing throughout the body and then repeating the scan from head to feet, enlivens our inner body by smoothing and spreading the sensation. In this way we can work toward an evenly distributed sensation of the whole body. That, in turn, gives us a strong base for presence, awareness, and the ability to respond fully and effectively to life.

For this week, practice scanning your body from head to toe for sensation, taking time to build it up where it is weak.

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