This blog cover what inner body awareness is, how to practice, and what it's for!
What is it?
Inner body awareness is a meditation practice where we focus our attention on the sensations of the physical body. We might feel a subtle vibration/tingling in our hands and feet, or become aware of a specific locus of strong energy or tension somewhere in the body. We may bring our awareness more deeply into the sensations, or hold a subtle awareness of them in the background of our consciousness - even while doing other things. There is nothing to accomplish in this practice; we are not trying to get rid of anything or create anything, we are just noticing what already is and allowing it to be. When we notice that our attention has shifted away from the inner body, most likely towards thoughts, we simply notice that this has taken place and return focus to the inner body awareness.
Why do it?
All formal meditation is essentially awareness training. We can notice that thoughts from the mind grab our attention very strongly and can hold it for long periods of time. When 'hooked' by thoughts, our awareness is low. This is the phenomena of driving home from work and having no recollection of what we saw along the way because we were so "lost in thought". When this happens it can range from relatively benign (simply being unaware of the present moment as we daydream about randomness - hazardous while driving!) to living in a literal hell realm where we are tormented and abused by a tyrant in our heads.
Regardless of the scenario, this specific practice of inner body awareness provides a subtle object of focus and subsequently subdues thought generation and our fixation on said thoughts. In essence, this practice moves us into deeper awareness of what is taking place in the here and now, and away from creating and focusing all of our attention on thoughts. Keeping attention with the inner body allows the mind a place to settle and, in time, relax from a state of hectic thought formation to a place of calm observation of the present moment - it increases our awareness. This correlates with an increased experience of peace, relaxation, joy and contentment.
And remember, it is a practice!
This is great! ☺️