051: Beyond the Mind: Integrating Body and Soul
The phrase "I think, therefore I am," coined by the French philosopher René Descartes in the 17th century, profoundly impacts how we navigate life. This statement makes us believe that who we are is based on our thoughts, and therefore, it makes us extremely attached to our minds, constantly seeking knowledge, seeking answers, and always looking to figure things out in advance.
It's crazy to see people facing challenges and not seek alternative solutions. We're conditioned to think the mind holds all the answers, often neglecting the body's insights. This mindset leaves us like disembodied heads, trapped in the problem.
They want a mind solution for a mind-created problem.
Einstein already said: "You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it."
Interestingly enough, the problem is always your perception of a certain situation. One thing that might be a problem for you can be an opportunity for me. So, what is the real problem?
The issue lies in how you perceive a situation, and each mental state has a corresponding physical or body state.
So, instead of trying to change your mind alone and thinking more about what you call problems, break the pattern and learn how to include your body in your decisions. Discover how you can shift your energy and transform your reality without overthinking.
I am a big believer that our body can take us to places that our mind can't. When we talk about intuition or gut-feeling, we are actually acknowledging the wisdom and power of the body.
The gut-brain axis is a complex communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. The enteric nervous system (ENS), sometimes referred to as the "second brain," contains around 100 million neurons, which is more than the spinal cord.
Your body acts as a powerful receptor, gathering more information from the environment than your mind alone can process. This enhanced perception allows you to make more informed and holistic decisions, tapping into a deeper wisdom that resides within.
By trusting your body's signals, you can unlock new pathways to understanding and navigate life with greater clarity and confidence.
Okay... all good here! But how do we do that? How do we tap into our body's wisdom? How do we move from a fragmented approach and perception of life to a more integrated one?
Start including your body more. How?
Release the need to be right. This need comes from your mind, and when you define something as right or wrong, you block your ability to see beyond your own limitations. Creating this space allows you to receive new information in your field instead of preconceived notions defined by your mind.
Start paying attention to your body language. When you are in a certain situation, notice how your body feels and how you move. This will reveal a lot about yourself, your own fears and insecurities, but it will also give you information from the environment, like when we say a place has good vibes or bad vibes without even having experienced it.
Identify emotions in your body; don't name them, feel them. When you are feeling a certain way, create the habit of asking, "Where in my body do I feel that?"
Notice how food affects you. Experiment with different foods and observe how you feel—more energized or heavy. Sometimes even emotions like sadness or happiness can be triggered by what you eat. Notice and be aware.
And one of the most important practices, in my opinion, is to move with intention. Physical exercise and somatic practices will help you transfer your energy from the mind to the body, enhancing your ability to perceive subtle sensations. Besides physical exercise, move with intention in your life. Notice your body posture and how you feel when you walk; pay attention to your feet. This is helpful for grounding and bringing body awareness so you can tap into this wisdom.
To help our clients tap into their body wisdom in our Sacred Growth community, we combine business strategy calls with energetics/mindset calls. Additionally, we offer weekly embodiment classes. If you want to create your Sacred Business, your body is crucial in the process. It's not a type of business created by your mind alone; it's an expression of your soul that is constantly sending you information through sensations.
The more you practice, the sooner your body will communicate with your mind clearly. It's already doing that, but we lost our ability to perceive it when we became so identified with our thoughts.
Why is participating in these classes or activities sometimes challenging? Because it defies your ego. Your mind wants to be in the driver's seat. However, right now, you want to create from your wholeness and not from your limited perception. So your mind has to move from the driver's seat and give space to your soul to fully express.
The embodiment classes are a transformative journey, empowering your mind to trust and follow your body's wisdom. Gradually, this harmony aligns your soul, mind, and spirit, allowing you to create from a place of true wholeness and authenticity.
With Love,
Carolina
Happenings
We are recording our first Sacred Business Course!
We are shooting our first course together, and it is very exciting!
We've rented this cool place (https://sitiocarpir.com.br/) up in the mountains close to São Paulo for inspiration, to recharge in nature, and to avoid any distractions.
While this is fun, it's also a new experience that activates resistance and discomfort for both of us. We're having much longer workdays to keep up with the schedule.
Bringing the body into this process helps me avoid getting stuck in my mind's opinions about my own resistance and difficulties in doing something new. I feel the resistance, breathe through it, and move on.
We are managing to get a lot done. Of course, to recharge, we incorporate some movement and spend time outdoors so we can keep going for longer hours.
Celebrating WHO
Josh Woll
Today, I want to celebrate Josh Woll. I met Josh 1.5 years ago at a retreat where I was teaching yoga, and he was photographing the event. He is a photographer and coach, and an incredibly sensitive person. The way he captured the energy of that retreat and the participants truly showcased his brilliance and beautiful essence. Over the past couple of months, I've gotten to know him better and can only express the strength and power I see in him.
If you want to check out his work, you can check his Instagram account here.
Here is What I Want to Share This Week:
The power of embodiment (short and easy practice)
In this video, I share an exercise that you can use at any time to invite what you want to create into your physical experience. It's very simple and serves as a way to bring your thoughts into your physical reality. It's another tool to help you connect with your body in a deeper and more powerful way.
