Not just skin deep.
Body issues aren’t just “skin deep”, they can have a heavy impact on mental health. Most don’t even realise they’re comparing themselves constantly. Every second or two, they swipe and compare, scroll and judge. Over and over again, each day.
But why would the physical (material) body matter when the point of most of my content is focused on the energetic body? Great question, so let’s dive in…
Why does body image matter?
When our energetic body “dropped” into this material existence, it changed “states”. In order for us to have this worldly experience, our higher vibrational state had to slow down. It had to do this in order to match the state of our new little body, which is denser and of a lower vibration.
In the process of that state change (going from high vibration-wave to lower particle-matter), we lost “grip” with our true, infinite self. It’s like we lost some “data” in the process of arriving here. Like we downgraded from digital to analogue.
Afterward, for most of us, we evolved in a way which cultivated the belief that our physical body is all there is. That the human form staring back in the mirror is the only “true me”. We rarely stop long enough to realize that, although we are in that body, the “true me” is not that body. I know this is a bit of a slippery concept to grasp, so think of it this way: Believing that you are your body is akin to believing you are the car – and not the driver in the car. 😉
So why does physical body image matter if we’re energetic beings? Because we must view our “vehicle” as our home, our transport, our closest & dearest friend. If we don’t foster good feelings and love for – thus build a strong relationship with – our material body, then we end up sabotaging and hurting the very thing that was created specifically for us. It’s only here to facilitate this human experience – how divine that experience is for each of us comes down to, well, each of us!
My own story (battle 🥹)
The love I feel for my own body now is a far cry from what I felt as a clumsy little girl who wanted to be an elegant and agile ballerina so many years ago. I stunned out of my awe (as I was staring at wall to wall mirrors surrounding me) when I heard the ballet teacher’s abrupt voice say to my mother, “She doesn’t have the right type of body to become a ballerina“. In silence, I looked back at myself in the mirror – chubby cheeks, stocky arms, flat footed. I accepted what she said as truth.
Those words became negative seeds in my being. I never recognized their ill effects until I began to feel deep resentment about myself in my early teen years.
As I matured, I tried to hide my face behind my long hair. I starved myself hoping I could somehow get skinny enough, then I binged because I was starving. I wished my eyes were a different colour; I wished I wasn’t so frumpy; I wished I wasn’t Asian; I wished, I wished, I wished…
Then as I began my own spiritual journey (over 20 years ago now) I realised that my body was here for me, like a perpetual side-kick, my bestie, who would never abandon me no matter how tough things got. I remember crying the moment I realised this: like a mother to a child, I am meant to care for, guide, and provide wisdom for my material body – and not the other way around.
I sobbed knowing that, despite all those years of me despising and hating it, it loyally allowed me my every move. It listened and ingested the abuse I gave it – all while patiently waiting for me to, one day, show it love, show it kindness, and show it that I cared.
What a shame that so many of us lose sight of the fact our bodies are a gift. Yes, even those which aren’t perfect. Yes even those which aren’t fully healthy and have challenges. Each one of our bodies are doing the best they can, with what we’re giving them. What a gift.
Getting back to your truth.
So if we want to elevate ourselves spiritually, we must elevate how we view ourselves physically.
For me, the first step was recognizing that the most important relationship I needed to work on was the one with myself – which included my physical body.
If this relationship isn’t strong, then I would just end up floating around in an ocean of low self-esteem, overthinking and comparing. That negative process does not lead to a pathway of happiness. That pathway does not lead towards remembering that you are a beautiful being – just as you are now – no matter what shape your “vehicle” is in.
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Healing ToolsLove & Embrace Your Body Image Meditation Guided 17-Minute Audio (MP3)
$ 9.95 Add to cart
Get 50% OFF ☝️
Use coupon code: lovemybody50 before completing checkout to get 50% off the above meditation
It starts with you first
Sure, the initial pain that caused you to feel the way you do about your body was most likely not spurred on by yourself. It would’ve come from something outside of you.
But do your best to not dwell where that negative seed got planted. Focus on pulling out that weed. Your healing starts with you. It starts in you.
If this resonates, and you need a helping hand with getting into the rhythm of relaxation and speaking out healing affirmations, then my Love & Embrace Your Body Image guided meditation might be a good place to start.
But I also want to urge those who are feeling deeply lost, or who are in pain, to seek immediate help. There are free support groups (like Beyond Blue) who can help you steady yourself – which is critical to do first – so you can start the journey of effective meditation and self-worth affirmation from there. If that’s you, please don’t do this alone, get help.
And no matter who you are in this world, I want you to know that you are worthy and you are loved.
Get 50% OFF 👇
Use coupon code: lovemybody50 before completing checkout to get 50% off the above meditation
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Healing Tools
Love & Embrace Your Body Image Meditation Guided 17-Minute Audio (MP3)
$ 9.95 Add to cart