The Body Compass
How to use our bodies to make better decisions
We often make decisions with our minds – which is great, as that’s what they’re designed to do.
But what happens when we rely solely on our minds, without consulting the other parts of ourselves – like our hearts, spirits, and bodies?
I’m currently in the Wayfinder Life Coach Training led by Martha Beck, and last week’s topic was the Body Compass. Specifically, how to “calibrate” the body and use it as a tool to discern what’s right for us.
The exercise goes like this:
Do a body scan to check in with how you feel right now.
Recall an unpleasant experience. What sensations arise? Tightness in your chest, pressure in your head?
Now think of a positive experience. What sensations arise? Tingling up your spine, expansiveness across your collarbones?
Return to the present moment once again.
Once you’ve “calibrated” your body, you can use it to help you decide on things, big and small.
Here’s an example: Take the task on your to-do list that feels the most negative. Then ask yourself:
Can you bag it? What would happen if you didn’t do it at all?
Can you barter it? Could you trade it with someone else in exchange for something on their list?
Can you better it? Maybe a trip to the dentist could include a cappuccino and pastry. Just remember to brush afterward! 😉
This practice helps us use our body’s feedback to make decisions that serve us – not just push through based on logic alone.
How do our bodies “know”?
That’s a big question for another time. But here’s something to consider: Our bodies register 11 million bits of information per second, and they have throughout our lifetimes – often below our conscious awareness. They store a wealth of data that can guide us, if we learn to listen.
It’s worth emphasizing that this isn’t just a body-awareness exercise – it’s about using the body to guide everyday decisions. I’ve often relied on my head, but as I’ve learned, making decisions with my mind alone can lead me astray. Now, I’m exploring a different way.
Truthfully, I’ve always been aware of my body’s sensations – watching how they shift throughout the day. But now, I’m learning to use those sensations not just as signals of what’s happening in my body, but as tools to decide what’s best for me in the moment, and moving forward.
Sometimes, my body gives me a clear “yes” when I expected a “no” – or vice versa. And occasionally, my body registers a “yes” just because I want something finished (see Finding Relief).
Things go smoothly when the body’s “yeses” align with what society deems acceptable. (Applying to law school? Perfect! Full steam ahead!) But when your body feels a “yes” for something less conventional (say, opening a pole-dancing studio), it can be harder to move forward.
And that’s when courage comes in.
When your body signals something true – something that leads you toward your “north star,” as Martha Beck calls it – but is at odds with societal expectations, that’s where the challenge lies. That’s where courage is needed. And it’s not always easy.
I wish my body were always calibrated, primed to help me make decisions effortlessly. But as I’ve shared before, I’ve lived with chronic pain, which gets in the way of my body’s clarity. When we’re physically drained, stressed, or even tired or hungry, it’s harder to discern what’s right for us.
Here’s a tip: Do this exercise when you’re fresh – first thing in the morning, perhaps after your cup of coffee. Arrive in the moment, present yourself with an option, turn it over in your mind, envision doing it, and notice how your body responds. What sensations arise? Do they veer positive, or negative? If negative, is there a lesson there?
I encourage you to play with this tool. I certainly will be in the coming days and weeks!