Coming Home to Yourself
Embracing the Wisdom of the Body in Spiritual Direction
In our journey as Spiritual Directors, we often emphasise the importance of recognising and responding to God's presence in our lives. However, one dimension that can be overlooked is the wisdom that our own bodies hold—a wisdom that guides us back home to ourselves and into a deeper connection with God. The Ignatian tradition, with its emphasis on finding God in all things, invites us to listen not only with our minds and hearts but also with our bodies. This holistic approach enriches our spiritual practice and offers profound insights into our relationship with the Divine. During my learning and training throughout Year 2 of the Encounter course, I have experienced incredible life and richness in deeply exploring this theme and beginning to integrate it more fully into my daily rhythms of life.
My Journey: From Disconnection to Wholeness
Growing up in a faith tradition that prioritised the heart and mind, I often found myself feeling disconnected from my body. The body was viewed with suspicion, as something that could lead us astray, and thus was to be controlled or ignored in the spiritual life. This disconnect left me feeling fragmented, as if a vital part of my being was excluded from my relationship with God.
It wasn't until later in my spiritual journey that I began to understand the body as a good gift from our Creator God. I discovered the joy of coming home to myself, recognising that my body held wisdom and truth just as my heart and mind did. This awakening came through experiences of mindfulness and embodied prayer, which revealed to me that my body was not a threat but a sacred vessel of divine presence.
Our bodies are more than a mere utilitarian necessity to carry us through life; they are sacred and imbued with divine wisdom. When we learn to listen to our bodies, we open ourselves to a new realm of understanding and connection with God. The Ignatian tradition teaches us to pay attention to our inner movements, the consolations, and desolations that signal God's presence or absence in our lives. Similarly, our bodily sensations can serve as indicators of spiritual truths, guiding us towards what nurtures or depletes our spirit.
I have experienced coming home to my body as a joyous and liberating experience. It involves a mindful return to the present moment, an acceptance of who you are, and an acknowledgment of your inner landscape. This process often starts with recognising the physical manifestations of our emotions and spiritual states. For example, tension in the shoulders might signal stress or a heavy heart, while a relaxed body or sensations of expanse and openness might reflect peace and alignment with where and how God is moving in our lives. By paying attention to these bodily cues, we become more attuned to our needs and more capable of responding to God's invitations.
Embracing Bodily Wisdom in Spiritual Direction
As Spiritual Directors, encouraging our directees to embrace the wisdom of their bodies can profoundly enhance their spiritual journeys. Here are a few ideas to begin integrating this practice:
Mindful Awareness: Begin sessions with a moment of silence, inviting both yourself and your directee to become aware of bodily sensations. This grounding practice helps create a space where the body’s wisdom can emerge.
Body Scan Meditation: Guide your directees through a body scan meditation, encouraging them to notice areas of tension, relaxation, or any other sensations. This practice fosters a deeper awareness of how their physical state reflects their spiritual and emotional well-being.
Reflective Questions: Ask questions that draw attention to the body, such as "What are you feeling in your body right now?" or "How does your body respond when you think about this situation?" These questions help directees connect their physical experiences with their spiritual insights.
Embodied Prayer: Introduce embodied forms of prayer, such as walking meditation, dance, or simple gestures. These practices help directees express their spirituality physically, integrating body and soul in their communication with God.
By embracing the wisdom of the body, we open ourselves to a fuller, more integrated experience of God's presence. In doing so, we not only deepen our own spiritual lives but also enrich the journeys of those we accompany. May we continue to come home to ourselves, finding joy in the sacred wisdom found in the unity of body, mind, and spirit.
Questions for Reflection
As you continue to guide others on their spiritual journeys, take time to reflect on your own practice:
How often do you listen to the wisdom of your own body in your spiritual practice?
In what ways have you noticed your body reflecting your inner spiritual state?
How can you create more opportunities for your directees to connect with their bodily wisdom?
What practices can you incorporate into your sessions to help both you and your directees become more attuned to the body’s messages?
Reflect on a time when paying attention to your body provided insight or clarity in your spiritual journey. How can this experience inform your work as a Spiritual Director?
Katy Kidwell
Katy Kidwell, MSW, previously trained and worked as a social worker and now lives in the scenic hills of Mid Wales with her husband, Jeremy, two sons and a menagerie of pets. She spends her days home educating their two boys and running a small business dedicated to creating educational materials and books that support families in their journey toward connection and emotional wholeness.
Katy is also currently a spiritual director in training, about to begin Year 3 of the Encounter course as is so looking forward to accompanying others. She has a special focus in her practice on embodied therapies and providing support to neurodivergent and other marginalised individuals who may be navigating faith shifts or negotiating their relationships within the wider spiritual community of origin.
You can follow her on Instagram.