Listening to Our Body/Psyche...

Richard Kearney in a recent New York Times post (8.30.2014) wrote, "In perhaps the first great works of human psychology, the “De Anima,” Aristotle pronounced touch the most universal of the senses. Even when we are asleep we are susceptible to changes in temperature and noise. Our bodies are always “on.” And touch is the most intelligent sense, Aristotle explained, because it is the most sensitive. When we touch someone or something we are exposed to what we touch. We are responsive to others because we are constantly in touch with them."

Patients healing from childhood trauma require resensitizing themselves to their bodies. Women and men who suffered at the hands of adults as children, need to listen to their bodies in a new way and not override their feelings. Bodies speak truth and do not lie.

"My mother would hit me so bad, I thought I'd die," a man shared about his childhood. "I grew up being attracted to women who seemed all right from a distance, but as time went on in the relationship, it was obvious that they were abusers. Sex was bad. My body wouldn't work. It was telling me that what I thought was good was bad."

After intensive work on his past, helping his soul to heal, he learned to listen to his body. His mind tried to override his body feelings. It didn't work. The psyche is a body psyche. As we listen to our bodies we grow to be in touch with self and others. We listen to soul in a sensitive and meaningful manner that optimizes health, well being, and the potential to live a life based on listening not overriding our body/psyche.