Using Body Cues To Learn Discernment

Did you know your body speaks to you? It does!!! It doesn't speak to you in an all-knowing voice. How then does it "speak"? Your body speaks to you through emotions!!! Emotions are your body’s way of trying to make you aware of new information. The stronger the emotion, the more your body is signaling there is something you need to pay attention to.

First of all, you need to understand our bodies are different. How my body indicates fear or excitement may be different from the way your body signals those things for you. For example, my body senses fear in my stomach area. Yours might indicate fear in your big toe. How do you know what to look for? Look back at those experiences in your life when fear was present. Where in your body did you feel those emotions? The answer to that question will give you some idea of what you personally need to pay attention to.

I'll give you a very personal example of what I am talking about. Years ago when I was in my late teens and early twenties, I was involved in a cult. The leader of this particular group, Jeffrey Lundgren, talked endlessly about all the violence that occurred in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and was training the men involved in the cult how to use firearms, among other things. After my husband and I made plans to leave, Jeff and I had a conversation I will never forget. Jeff told me about his plans to take over the Kirtland Temple by force, having to kill the people who lived around the temple in order to take control. (Yes, it seems deranged, but at the time I was too far brainwashed to see it.) 

The thing is, even during that conversation (where my mind had totally lost all sense) my body--my discernment--was still talking to me. When Jeff talked about killing people, my stomach felt all clenched up and tight, and I thought to myself, "Thank God I am not going to be around to see that!!!" My body was talking, my heart was listening, but at that point my mind was far from rational. This is what taught me (eventually, after Jeff really did kill people) that it is far better to listen to your heart than your mind.

Take the time to understand your body's cues. Reflect individually on various emotions. What happened to your body when you felt sadness? What happened to your body when you felt anger? What happened to your body when you felt scared? The answers to these questions and more will give you the information you need to understand what your body is telling you in those critical moments of life.

Your body is an instrument of awareness in a very complicated world. Allow yourself to access the wisdom and heart connection it contains to help you navigate the obstacles of life. It may just be key in helping you learn discernment.

~CSE

Listening To Your Body's Cues For Health

I very rarely get sick. When I do, it is typically because I have stopped listening to the cues my body sends me to let me know what it needs to stay healthy. Listening to your body's wisdom to take care of yourself is probably some of the easiest intuitive information we can tune into.

One of the biggest things I do is listen to my body when it tells me it is tired. For me, tiredness is a sign I have had enough and I need to not push myself harder. We see this as a physical symptom (which it is), but it is also very strong intuitive information.

Food cravings and aversions are also ways your body talks to you about what it needs or need to avoid. If you find yourself craving spinach salad, there is probably some nutrient in the spinach your body is lacking. If you find yourself sickened by the idea of certain fatty foods, listen to your body here as well. You will probably become ill if you continue to eat those foods your body says to avoid.

Sometimes you may be craving something like chocolate. While it's possible you need a nutrient from the chocolate (cacoa is actually considered a super food), ask yourself if it is a nutrient need or if your eating is more stress related. If it is stress-related, you need to do something to relieve the stress. Eliminating a toxic person or job may be exactly what your body is guiding you to do. Asking questions can clue you in to your body's true needs.

Your body may also give you clues that it wants to stay physically active. If you feel the need to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine, pay attention!!! Your body may be craving Vitamin D, which is produced in your body by going out into the sunshine (avoid sunscreen) and helps to maintain your immune system. If you can a lot of energy, go for a walk or bike ride, do some yard work, or go to the gym to workout. Physical activity maintains muscles and can improve your mental health by the endorphins and other hormones produced.

Begin paying attention to those subtle signals your body gives you regarding its needs. You will be rewarded with the ability to get all those important things done and feel great in the process!!!

~CSE