I recently began to think of my body as my Mighty Companion and I’m finding it helpful. Of course, the number one reason it’s helpful is because it’s another way I can see my Self, my true identity as Spirit and not as a body.
A Course in Miracles tells us, “I am not a body.”
I find it helpful to say “I am not a body, but I have one.”
In thinking of my body as my mighty companion, it helps me to keep from identifying with it.
But there’s more to it, much more, than that.
Like everyone else on earth, I’ve had a journey with my body. In many ways, my body journey can be summed up in this simple ACIM teaching:
Seek not to change the world,
But to change your mind about the world.
I’ve learned that trying to change my body isn’t the way to go. It’s an endless frustration and disappointment. Of course, I learned it the hard way. And I’m so grateful that now I can laugh about it.
For years and years and years I tried to change my body in a myriad of ways – I tried to make it look different, and have different sleep patterns, and different levels of fitness and on and on.
Ultimately, my body has been so helpful to me in seeing, quickly and clearly, that if I hold something differently in my mind, and change how I think about it then my form, the body, will change too.
I’ve learned to work in the invisible, at the level of the mind, because it’s so much more efficient – it’s easier and faster than working at the level of form. My body gives me so much opportunity to practice each and every day.
Working at the level of form is what I was doing when I was trying to change my body without changing my stinking thinking. It’s a different thing to work with our thoughts and beliefs while simultaneously making changes about how we treat the body (or whatever the situation we don’t like is.)
If we’re listening to our intuition, we’ll be led, guided and directed to the shifts and changes that are most helpful. If we’re trying to figure it out then we’re approaching it from the ego/intellect and that’s not so helpful. Those thoughts get in the way of clarity and are a distraction.
A Course in Miracles teaches us that everything in the world is actually neutral and we’ve given it all the meaning that it has for us. In fact, this is where the ACIM lessons begin. Neutrality is the starting point.
This truth – that we project all the meaning things have for us – is necessary for us to be willing to accept in order for us to begin to be able to change our mind and see what’s Real.
I don’t think I’ve met anyone in my life that grew up feeling neutral about their body. For many of us we’ve given the body more meaning than anything else in our lives. Think about that for a minute!
And if what we think about our body doesn’t leave us feeling joyous then we aren’t correct. We’re misperceiving and projecting. Our thoughts, if believed, will cause us to make choices that further increase our unhappiness.
We live in a time where generations of children are growing up feeling badly about themselves because they’re believing they are their bodies and they don’t like their bodies, and that becomes self-hatred. They don’t like their bodies because of the constant comparison that social media and camera phones brings. Teen suicide rates have risen as a direct result.
Our spiritual practice of changing our minds about our bodies will help all of our brothers and sisters. It’s the only thing that really can.
I feel strongly this is why it’s the perfect time for us to do this work of healing our mind about the body. When I see my body as a mighty companion, helping me to bring my dark thoughts to the Light then I see it as an accomplice rather than adversary. That’s helpful.
When I was preparing to write this – not sure of what I’d be saying – I came across this beautiful quote from ACIM:
The way is not hard, but it is very different. Yours is the way of pain, of which God knows nothing. That way is hard indeed, and very lonely. Fear and grief are your guests, and they go with you and abide with you on the way. But the dark journey is not the way of God’s Son. Walk in light and do not see the dark companions, for they are not fit companions for the Son of God, who was created of light and in light. The Great Light always surrounds you and shines out from you. How can you see the dark companions in a light such as this? If you see them, it is only because you are denying the light. But deny them instead, for the light is here and the way is clear. T-11.III.4.
I encourage you to try this practice of seeing your body as a Mighty Companion, here to be truly helpful to us in our awakening.
Let’s remember that “the Light is here and the way is clear.”
The Light is within us because we are the Light, and therefore our way is clear if we are willing for it to be. When we recognize the Light within then the journey is completely different in our experience. Everything will actually work together for our good.
We are blessed and we’re a blessing!
And if this conversation interests you, check out my latest offering: Change Your Mind About Your Body
We’re using ACIM principles to heal our mind about our bodies. This is a path of liberation.
Sundays With Spirit is today! This is our weekly Sunday inspirational service – you’re invited! All you have to do is register and we’ll send you the link to join us. It’s completely free and fun! I hope to see you today.
Early Bird Special Change Your Mind About Your Body using A Course in Miracles principles – this is a 5 month program with a long list of great ACIM teachers including Alan Cohen, Aaron Abke, Lisa Natoli, Gary Renard and more! We have an amazing early-bird special that expires soon!
LATEST PODCAST EPISODE! The most recent episode of my podcast’s topic is The Body As Mighty Companion. We can change our mind about the body and cultivate a holy relationship with it. I am not a body, but I have one and I’d like to feel good about it at all times!
CAMINO WALK in October: If you’re interested in joining me in Portugal and Spain on the Camino check out the details of our adventure and please sign up soon as we’ll sell out FAST! Click here now for more info.
