More often than not, I start coaching sessions by asking my client to take four to six deep, belly-expanding breaths. Then, as a form of "check-in", they will answer the following:
My mind is…
My body is…
My spirit is…
Go ahead, try it. Take a few truly conscious breaths, focusing on how it feels as you inhale. Then, honestly fill in those same sentences with the first word or phrase that comes forth.
P.S.: Don't decide on the answers in advance. The exercise is to experience what is present in this moment, after those breaths.
The point and the benefit?
It's an opportunity to unpack three separate elements - our mind, our body, and our spirit - that make up who we believe ourselves to be but tend to amass as one.
Each aspect is very much independent, however, they quickly become intrinsically connected and intertwine in a way that blurs the lines between who we are and what’s really going on with us.
If we were to be our body-our bones, organs and flesh-we’d be defined by our physical structure and prowess. And though for some, it may feel that their bodies largely define who they are, it isn’t actually true. Our bodies can impact our mind and our spirit when we allow it, but while we can let it define who we are, the truth is the body is wholly separate from our spirit, and both of those are also wholly distinct from our mind, our intellect.
If we were to be our mind..... well, let's just say thank goodness thats not the case.
Though an insanely strong set of cognitive faculties, the mind doesn't wholly define who we are or the values we live by - AND it's something we can re-train. A wide-spread, mind-controlled, belief of "not good enough" is a perfect example. A vast number of humans walk around with some level of that belief (embedded by their minds) and many, with age and training, overcome those limiting beliefs. Furthermore, when we truly check in with our spirit, an aspect most intrinsically guiding who we are, we know we are not defined by our mind, but rather our values and actions.
So how often do you let one aspect drive the whole vehicle? How might a few belly breaths allow you to become present and honestly check in with how you are feeling?
For my clients, for myself, that step back allows a bigger picture to unfold, and the steps forward are far more connected to what is real, what is truly present.
With love and light,
Rachel (to receive these weekly, subscribe below!)