The Body Instrument And The Music Of Life

I conducted a lot of research into tantric traditions while I was dating in my twenties.

I wasn't happy with my sex life, you see.

The sex, on the other hand, wasn't horrible.

It was, in fact, rather nice.

But...

It felt... well, let's put it this way...

Ordinary.

As a male, my sexual experience consisted of a lot of build-up, followed by a tremendous, brief explosion... and then, dude, we need to take a break.

It was fine once again.

But when contrasted to a woman's sexual experience, with her several extended orgasms... well... I honestly didn't think it was worth mentioning.

So.

I attempted to rectify the situation. I wanted to see if I could broaden my sexual experience.

And, surprise, surprise, I did.

That's fantastic. But it isn't the goal of this discussion.

It's about something more profound.

Something that has nothing to do with sexuality but everything to do with being an embodied creature.

Because of my exploration of tantric traditions, I profoundly experienced the wisdom in embracing your embodiment and the power it has.

We may use this ability to give our lives more purpose, satisfaction, and pleasure.

Too many of us spend much too much of our lives engrossed in our own thoughts, thinking deeply and for lengthy periods of time.

And, to our peril, we forget that our brain and body are working hard in the background of our thoughts to make our experience, including our thinking, a reality.

If, instead of forgetting about our bodies, we learn to appreciate them. To strengthen our bond with it...

Well.

Then enormous significance and delight may be only a breath away... or at the tips of your fingers.

The body is the instrument with which we perform life's music.

Our lives as people are like a magnificent song that we are continually exposed to.

Colors, scents, tastes, ideas, and emotions are all part of the symphony.

And it's a tune that our bodies are continually playing.

That is why we must take proper care of this instrument.

Also, learn to play it with greater delicacy.

So that our lives' music might be even richer. Even more amazing.

The delicate note of joyous embodied life is a particularly strong and lovely note that you may play.

You may play this game by anchoring your awareness with your breath.

Inhale deeply... then exhale slowly. Out... and in. If it helps, close your eyes. The important thing is to pay attention to how your body feels. On what it's like to be embodied.

As you breathe in... and out, notice how your breath massages your insides. Distribute your focus throughout your body as you continue to breathe.

As you breathe, notice how you feel in your body. As you breathe in, feel your chest and belly expand and become more sensitive. As your body takes in oxygen, your mind will become clearer. As you exhale, notice how the tips of your fingers and toes become invigorated.

As your breath sensitizes your body, continue to experience it. And note how you sense energy inside you as a result of doing so. Within your own body, lying in wait.

This is not a simple meditation. You're not only concentrating on your breath.

You're utilizing your breath to connect with a sense of whole-body awareness.

You see, by utilizing your breath to help you disperse your attention throughout your body in this manner, you may connect with something genuinely profound.

You may experience the subtle pleasures of embodied life. This is a layer of calm and contentment that comes from merely being in your body.

And you may always connect with this subtle delight by slowing down, inhaling deeply, and focusing your attention on your body with your breath.

This knowledge may provide you with a great sense of calm and significance in your life. It's something that might help you to feel grounded and empowered as you consider and confront the problems and challenges that life throws at you.

This can seem to be paradoxical. However, the notion is that by concentrating part of your attention on your body, on the subtle pleasures of embodied life, you may really think better and more clearly. Because your ideas are being driven by less anxious energy.

You may utilize this strategy to help yourself feel better if you have it. Every single day.

You may utilize it to boost your self-esteem. Also, be content with yourself.

All you have to do now is concentrate on your breathing. Also, become more aware of your body.

And that's something you've had with you all the time. It's a useful tool that you may use at any time.

I'm sorry, but that's all I've got for you today. I hope you have fun playing your body's instrument and adding to your life's melody!

Santi Sanchez is a philosopher with a Ph.D. He has devoted almost two decades of his life to philosophical inquiry and practice in order to discover what makes a life genuinely good and how to improve it.