We often only pay attention to our bodies when they are not behaving the way we want them to. However, a regular two-way communication with it is the key, says Dain Heer

I have a question for you: When was the last time you paid attention to your body? In a world fraught with judgment about how we should look, it might have been long when you last caught your reflection. Or maybe you noticed a particular pain somewhere like your knee, back, or shoulder.

Too often, we only pay attention to our bodies when they're not behaving how we want them to. There's more information available to us by way of a natural, symbiotic connection to our bodies, where two-way communication is the key.

Our bodies communicate in energy — and that's your first language. The issue is, many of us aren’t aware.

Why don't we listen to our bodies?

In essence, we're out of practice. Think about your childhood — who decided what and when you ate? Was it ever okay to skip vegetables and head straight for the desserts? And what about now? How often do you eat just because it's dinner time? How often do you not eat because you’re anxious about your weight?

The truth is, your body knows exactly what nourishment it requires and would enjoy at all times. It also knows what clothes it would like to wear and the activities it would like to do. In fact, it has awarenesses and a gentle insistence around everything that concerns it. In short, it has a point of view. Would you like to tune in to it?

Step 1: Recognise you're an infinite being. Your body is your vehicle for the lifetime while you, the being, are infinite. You each have your own awarenesses and points of view and you can exist together, in harmony.

Try this: Here's a quick exercise to help you get the distinction between your body (the vehicle) and you (the infinite being). Close your eyes, and expand your energy out into the room you're in. Reach the walls of the room, then go beyond them. Notice that if you choose to, you can go further. Expand 100 miles out in all directions. Notice how easy it is.  Understand that you can circle the planet if you choose to. It's not your physical body that's expanding, it's your being.

How infinite are you?

Another question — If a being can travel so far in an instant and be that big, could it ever fit inside of a physical body?

Step 2: Recognise your body is conscious. Every plant, person, structure on the planet has consciousness — and your body is no exception. Your relationship with your body is deepened by asking questions from an open and present place. And then, listening.

Try this: Start with food. At breakfast, instead of auto-piloting your way to granola ask, “Body, what would you like to eat?” Then, be open, be present, and listen.

What do you sense? What are you picking up? Start to ask your body about everything that concerns it — food, clothes, movement, even the people it gets intimate with. Be patient. Like an old friend you haven't spoken to in a while, sometimes it takes time to rebuild your connection; sometimes it happens in a beat. An idea to play with — your body is a psychic receiver. If you'll forgive the comparison, your body is like a sponge. Why? Because it has the capacity to absorb the energies, thoughts and judgments of everyone around it.

Furthermore, it has the capacity to try to heal the pain and suffering of everyone around it. This means when you experience pain, it might not be your pain. When you feel sad or angry or afraid, these may not be your feelings.

Now, this is a huge concept that goes beyond its scope, but I just want to invite you to play with it. Recognising that what you feel in your body may not be yours, paves the way for letting go of any solid energy that might be limiting you. For some people, this piece of information is world-shifting and comes as a huge relief, while also deepening their understanding of what a gift their body is.

Try this: For any pain you experience in the next three days, question, “Body, who does this belong to?” You're not looking for conclusive answers. Just being open to the notion that what you're experiencing may not be yours and being willing to let anything go that doesn't belong to you, is a wonderful start. Your body is such a gift. Be with your body with total presence and with zero judgment. Take care of it. Get to know it better and enjoy breathing life back into your natural connection.

 (The writer is the bestselling author of many self-help books.)