November/December 2002 Living Now
The Power of Body-Centered Clarity

by Carolyn Campbell

To be able to live a satisfying life or lead a fulfilling soul-centered business, it is critical that we have a deep awareness of ourselves and what we stand for. Our core definition of purpose and of place shapes how we live, how we lead and what we create and allow in our lives. You must uncover what is uniquely you, what gifts you bring to the world, and what compels you to create personally and professionally.

Many of us would rather not delve into these issues. It is easier to accept a job because it’s available. It’s more convenient to take what is offered to us. It’s simpler to blame someone else for our dissatisfaction. Yet, at some point, if we want to live a richly satisfying life, we must start to name who we are, what we want and how to create it.

This is no easy feat. It means that we have to look deep and see what’s there. We have to peel away the familiar, safe way of living to find out who the "I" is at our core. This is the stage I call "Naming the Essence of You." Get ready. On some days you will have a sense of exhilarating ecstasy. On other days, you will feel paralyzed and uncertain. You may feel straddled between two ways of being. There is your old self engaged in what’s familiar and your new self ready, yet reluctant, to take the next step into the unknown. Welcome to the journey of truly owning your core self!

As you begin this journey, here are a few questions you might ask yourself. First, go back to a time when you felt truly alive. What part of you came to life? Describe it. Perhaps name it. What was it like to live in that moment? Try and remember the physical experience of it. Breathe into it. Notice your body’s reaction. What part opens to your breath? Now, try and remember how you felt about your life in that moment. What were you capable of? What were you able to achieve?

These simple questions will get your body to remember your passion and your power in a very cellular way. It will open you up to possibility in ways your brain is unable to do alone. To take this step, you have to be willing to expose yourself to your life fully without judgment.

Now think about a time when you felt slighted or disregarded. What personal value of yours was not being honored? If you can’t do this alone, ask an honest, candid friend to help you name it. It is not about getting into the "story of what happened." Your goal is simply to identify the core principle of life that was not being honored. Sometimes, it is in these moments that we can most easily identify one of our key life principles. Again, breathe this memory into your body. Notice what part of your body tightens, slacks or goes numb. Allow your breath to gently breathe the value of honor back into that place. Notice what softens. What does it ask you to honor more in your life? Yes, it may sound strange to ask our breath these questions. Perhaps even eccentric. Here’s the truth. It is the gateway to your body’s deepest wisdom. Once you heed the call, you will be astounded at what you might discover.

Naming these core values help you clarify what is important to you in your relationships and your life. They provide a guided path when in conflict or confusion. They can form the foundation values of your business or your leadership. Using breath moves your beliefs and intentions through your body. It is an active life force transforming ideas into energy. By letting your breath guide the journey, you can more gently allow the shifts to occur. As I say to my clients, this is a great time to relax the brain and ride the waves of the energetic shifts inside.

Once you have reclaimed your core self, you can begin to shape your vision and bring it to the world. But first you must open the channel so that your most dynamic self can be seen and honored. Having a clear, body-based sense of intention and purpose gives you the courage and confidence to step into the world with clarity of vision and resolve of spirit.

If you’re tempted to skip these first steps, consider this. You are the brilliance of what you create. You are the one who keeps it alive in the world. The sacredness of you is what allows your vision to flourish. By fully honoring you, your vision becomes a greater gift to the world. It’s such a vital step.

Carolyn is a LifeVision ™ Coach and Business Identity Consultant living in Portland. She can be reached at 503-493-1114 or Carolyn@thecoresource.com.