Aging and the Body

Inviting you to find a position most supportive of your body, sitting, standing, or lying down. If you're sitting or standing, allow for the body to be relaxed and upright. Imagine a string that aligns your spine between your tailbone and the top of your head. Allow that string to be extended so the shoulders are released. You could roll your shoulders to allow the chest to be expanded and more space for the lungs to breathe. Let your arms rest comfortably on your lap or wherever they're most comfortable. Allow your hands to rest, releasing any tension. You can have your eyes open or closed. Closing your eyes helps you to focus on your internal experience more, but it's also okay to allow your eyes to be slightly open, and rest to your gaze downwards about a few feet in front of you. Feel the weight of the body now, how it's resting and supporting you, really letting the weight of your body release onto the support. See if there are parts of the body that can release a little bit more. let go to whatever extent is available. Settling into the shape and weight of this body as it is now. Breathing in, aware of breathing in. Breathing out, aware of the whole body breathing out. Body breathing in, body breathing out. Just skin, flesh and bones like any other body. Skin, flesh and bones. Breathing in and breathing out, aware that this body has been breathing since as a baby, aware that this body is no longer a baby or a child. Experiencing the body as it is now, having gone through many life experiences, growing up and older now. A body that has gone through many changes. A body made of skin, flesh and bones just like any other body, not perfect. A body that continues to change just like any other body at any other time. Not personal, happens to all of us. How are you feeling towards this body now today? Not giving in to the usual chatter of the mind about the bigger belly, the decreasing flexibility, extra serving of dessert, or the idle wish for the youthful body to return. Instead, tune into the direct sensorial experiences of this body now. Do you feel any tightness or pain? Warmth, softness, or ease? Pleasant sensations, unpleasant sensations, or neither pleasant or unpleasant? Is there liking or disliking happening right now? Fear, anxiety, or pride and joy about the body? Whatever is happening, feeling, sensing, can you let that be? Again, it's not personal, not your fault. No need to struggle, resist, make it better or make it last. Relax and let it be. It's enough. This body as it is. Notice how you're relating to this body. Breathe and relax and just let that be known. This is good to know. Be aware of your attitude towards your body. Notice the thoughts that are coming up because of this attitude. Are these thoughts...