Why Embodiment Matters in Your Healing Journey

We hear the term "embodiment" thrown around throughout the spiritual space and of course in any mind/body type of environment. But what does it mean, and why does it matter?

Dictionary.com defines embodiment as, "the representation or expression of something in a tangible or visible form."

I understand it as the ways in which our bodies have tuned in to our perceptions of the world, our thoughts, our emotions, our experiences and of course, our behaviors.

So, for example, if I grew up in a family where being vulnerable was not allowed, then embodiment of this might look like:

• the world isn't a safe place to be vulnerable (perception)

• I am weak if I show vulnerability (thought)

• I feel irritated if someone is making me feel vulnerable (emotion)

• I learned that being vulnerable means you are not accepted in the family (experience)

• I don't let down my guard around anyone (action)

&& all of these ingredients working together create someone who embodies a lack of vulnerability, or, from maybe a more distorted perspective, someone who embodies strength.

So, as you can see, depending on what you have embodied in your life, dictates how you navigate through the world. In the above case, someone who is trying to heal but not working on addressing embodiment, might miss this awareness and forever lack intimacy in their relationships and not know why.

Embodiment doesn't just impact you, however.

If you have embodied a certain thought, way of life, emotional response...that means that anyone or any situation that doesn't adhere to those embodied beliefs like you, will trigger an unhealthy response.

Again, disrupting relationships and keeping you in a comfort zone that ironically, makes you uncomfortable.

So as you can see, what you embody in your life is relative to EVERYTHING. Although we hear this term thrown around as something positive (and it is, and can be), it matters so much what you're nourishing yourself with and what you choose to embody.

Part of your healing journey should be looking at your current embodied thoughts and practices, and then determining the ones that aren't helpful to you anymore and creating new ones.

Try to think about how you can embody the best in yourself...what perceptions of yours need changed so that you can unlearn and relearn something new?

Now, take action.

Leave your questions in the comments! As always, love and light.

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