I've found there are two questions we can ask that help us stay where we are.
1. what am I feeling physically?
2. what am I feeling emotionally?
Now, just to be clear (for all you perfectionist types who have already run amok with this idea and are grumpy at yourselves because you don't think you'll be able to "figure it out"), the point of these questions is not specifically to "get to some correct answer." The major point is to get yourself to stop for a second and begin to pay attention to what actually happens to be true for you in any moment.
What answers there are for the questions, or even IF there are answers at the moment, isn't so important. Whatever information you get is valuable. If, for instance, what you find when you stop and ask the questions is: ok, I don't really feel anything physically, and I'm not sure what I feel emotionally- that's just fine. Or if you find: wow, my left big toe hurts for some reason, and my body feels tired, and I'm a bit anxious, that's fine too. Or: my body feels neutral, like it's hanging out being a body, and I feel calm emotionally, that's cool too. Any way, you just got some crucial information about yourself at that moment.
I've found it's easier to "have a specific job" that helps focus on being present and in the moment. Some people can stay present by focusing on staying present, and that's great. Staying present isn't an easy thing for most people who suffer from eating disorders, and having specific, concrete ways to practice it helps. Just be is a great Bumper Sticker, a terrific ideal to aspire to. Practice Just Be-ing is the practical application of that Bumper Sticker, and that's what I want to give you guys tools to do.
I've found there are two questions we can ask that help us stay where we are.
1. what am I feeling physically?
2. what am I feeling emotionally?
Now, just to be clear (for all you perfectionist types who have already run amok with this idea and are grumpy at yourselves because you don't think you'll be able to "figure it out"), the point of these questions is not specifically to "get to some correct answer." The major point is to get yourself to stop for a second and begin to pay attention to what actually happens to be true for you in any moment.
What answers there are for the questions, or even IF there are answers at the moment, isn't so important. Whatever information you get is valuable. If, for instance, what you find when you stop and ask the questions is: ok, I don't really feel anything physically, and I'm not sure what I feel emotionally- that's just fine. Or if you find: wow, my left big toe hurts for some reason, and my body feels tired, and I'm a bit anxious, that's fine too. Or: my body feels neutral, like it's hanging out being a body, and I feel calm emotionally, that's cool too. Any way, you just got some crucial information about yourself at that moment.
I've found it's easier to "have a specific job" that helps focus on being present and in the moment. Some people can stay present by focusing on staying present, and that's great. Staying present isn't an easy thing for most people who suffer from eating disorders, and having specific, concrete ways to practice it helps. Just be is a great Bumper Sticker, a terrific ideal to aspire to. Practice Just Be-ing is the practical application of that Bumper Sticker, and that's what I want to give you guys tools to do.