Over the past few years, I’ve become interested in Tibet, Buddhism, and the Dalai Lama. I’m not sure I’d officially label myself a “Buddhist,” but I am attracted to Buddhist philosophy. And one of the tenets of Buddhism is that our human bodies are supremely precious, not unlike the Christian philosophy of viewing our bodies as “temples.”
“If both of these traditions say similar things about the value of our physical bodies,” I started thinking a few years back, “maybe viewing my body as precious might prove beneficial.”
And so, while my body weight was still technically considered “obese,” I began to purposely and intentionally see my overweight body as precious.
What do we do with something or someone we view as precious, highly valued, and loved dearly? How do we treat someone we admire intensely and love passionately? How do we cherish the bodies we are presented with, regardless of their size or shape or the number on the scale?
Here are a few thoughts.
First, lighten up. And I don’t mean lighten up in terms of food or losing weight. What I mean is, “Give yourself a break.” Don’t punish yourself with negative words when you look in the mirror. Begin a daily practice of smiling at yourself in the miror, of winking at yourself. Fitness authority Dr. Joanne Owens-Nauslar says, “You should wake up every morning and say, ‘Good morning, sexy! I hope you never die!’”
Second, take pleasure in your body as it is. Become highly aware of the physical pleasures you can experience, right now, regardless of your size, shape, or weight. Enjoy the sounds you hear. Enjoy the scents you smell. Milk each day for all its worth in terms of delighting your five glorious senses.
Third, cultivate curiosity. As I was transforming my perspective from self-loathing to self-love, I began to be curious. I began to be curious about foods--”How would I feel if I ate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables?” and “I wonder what would happen if I took a walk during my lunch break?” And the more curious I became, the more the results of my curiosity manifested--in terms of weight release, in terms of a higher level of energy, and in terms seeing myself in a new and different light.
What can you do today to treat your body as the precious gift is is? What can you do to “lighten up” your thoughts? What can you do to delight your senses? And what can you do to cultivate your own sense of curiosity?
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