The art of Unlearning: Body

This month the mantra we’ll be working with is the “art of unlearning.” What would it look and feel like if we created the “maybe mind?” This is where we could be in the present moment of each experience and let go of any stories we might have about it being positive or negative. Let’s start with focusing on our physical body this week…

We know that the body holds memories of what we’ve been through in the past, but can we untangle the past “old stories” and allow what is currently coming up to be true without the story? When we think about pain, fatigue, and even tightness in the body, they can all be symptoms of what got us up to this current moment. Not bad or good, just what IS in this current moment. This can allow us to let go of any judgements we hold for our physical body. So we get to unlearn that there is anything “wrong” with our body in this current moment. We get to be with it just as it is. This alone can be such a helpful tool to allow us to let go of past stories and release any conceptions of what the future holds.

“Maybe the most important teaching is to lighten up and relax. It’s such a huge help in working with our crazy minds to remember that what we’re doing is unlocking a softness that is in us and letting it spread. We’re letting it blur the sharp corners of our self-criticism and complain.” - Pema Chodron

I love this quote by Pema. It reminds us that one of the most important lessons we can learn through yoga and a mindfulness practice is to just be in your body in this current moment and relax… lighten up! Wise words that I work with each day. It helps to cultivate a love and compassion for my physical body.

Tune in next week as we continue this discussion on the Art of Unlearning as it relates to our monkey mind.

With deep love and gratitude