Are there ways you notice how your body responds or communicates that is not in words?

In Embodied Processing sessions, as we explore emotions, memories, thoughts and beliefs, we very often ask “how does that feel in your body?” People often notice sensations, sometimes not much is noticed. And even some people will be confused by that question. For many people it takes time to develop this awareness of and in our living experience of the felt-sense and how it interconnects with thoughts, emotions and beliefs etc. (Developing this felt-sense awareness is part of what we do in Stage 1 work – building foundations for EP).

In EP sessions we further inquire into the sensations we notice in the body. A few examples: “Can you describe the sensations? “ Does the sensation have a message?” or “does this sensation need something?” or “if this sensation could speak, what would it say?”. The body may not respond in words. If we expect a response in words, we might miss what’s being communicated. Sometimes we can inadvertently fall into interpreting or projecting from the cognitive mind before we really explore the sensations directly.

The body - and sometimes the heart - often communicate without words. Instead of listening for words, we might notice, listen to, just the felt sensations, movement, colors or images. It might be very subtle or fleeting. Sometimes there is no response, so the silence might mean it’s not ready yet to be fully expressed, or that we’re not ready yet to ‘hear’. 

When we ask the body what it needs, or does it have a message, we can listen in an open way. We can expand our perception and let the mind be a witness that listens and closely observes without expecting words or cognitive understanding. This is also a skill to develop. This is not the usual role for the cognitive rational mind to function in. It can take time and practice for the mind to relax it’s urge to understand, interpret or go into strategy mode, and instead to stay present and just witness.

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In EP sessions we might have a tendency to go on too quickly once a sensation in the body is noticed – we might go right for what technique to apply, looking for meaning, for origins, for memories etc. Of course all of these are part of the EP process. But I’m suggesting we change the pace just a bit first. This softening the pace also reflects in an attitude or energetic RELAXING WITH the direct experience of the sensations and spaces in the body.

It can be really interesting to just see first what comes up – from the sensation - before asking questions or using a technique. This doesn’t have to be a long pause, maybe just a few moments. In my experience it’s almost more an attitude shift into a slightly slower pace, a moment of pausing the automatic urge to move forward etc.

We can also ask “what is your relationship to the sensation”?, “Do I have an attitude towards it”?. This can help us uncover hidden attitudes of resisting, wanting it to go away, a belief that there is something wrong with it etc. Becoming aware of our relationship and attitude towards the body and sensations is also part of the exploration. We might discover more layers this way. We might notice a hidden agenda to get rid of uncomfortable sensations/emotions/thoughts. Even using EP to do that. This realization can be met with gentle acceptance and understanding - it’s a natural desire to end suffering, to want to heal and grow.

Over time and with practice we can expand and start to orient in that gentle acceptance, allowing and experiencing things as they are. And that is when the natural process of metaboising and transformation activates - as if on it’s own - without us manipulating or willing it to happen. To taste and see that happening is a JOY, even a relief and an ease. A feeling of Trust grows, trust and relaxing into a knowing that the innate healing unfolds on it’s own when given the context of allowing, curiosity, presence and acceptance.

Our relationship with our sensations, our emotions and felt-sense can become an interesting adventure, when we shift from an urgency to fix, get rid of change – to one of exploring with gentle or eager curiosity. Acceptance and allowing is not a passive giving up, but instead it’s a door opening.

There’s beauty and wonder in letting the body lead and following what emerges versus having a preconceived idea of how the body ‘should’ be feeling, moving, reacting or processing. This is a very different relationship with the body than guiding it from the head (or preconceived ideas or shoulds). What emerges, what impulse and sensations arise, may not make sense to our rational minds as it arises. (often times, understanding, aha's and insights come later).

Being able to listen and identify how the body communicates – in non-verbal ways – is a valuable foundational skill in EP and then supports going into deeper stage 2 processing work.

Are there ways you notice how your body/heart responds or communicates that are not in words? (it’s fine if there are words….I’m just wanting to open our awareness to include other non-verbal ways).

Written by Angela MacLeod
Embodied Processing Practitioner

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