Thich Nhat Hanh On How Your Body Needs You
Jan 26, 2022“Go back and take care of yourself. Your body needs you...your feelings need you. The wounded child in you needs you. Your suffering needs you to acknowledge it. Go home and be there for all these things."
―
Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child
I was living in a rainy place, and on those polished floors my crutches would threaten to slide away from each other, a face plant just one millimeter away, like I was a newborn puppy learning how to walk for the first time. An uneven center of gravity from the shoulder bag FULL of heavy books, was no help.
I HATED my broken foot. HATED the big boot I had to wear. HATED how slow I was getting around, and how generally immobilized I felt.
My work-study job in college was to carry books around the library. I could barely do it, even with reasonable accommodations.
All because of my stupid broken foot.
My friend's mother was a meditation-focused psychotherapist, and had offered to talk to me in case she could be of any help as I struggled.
The first question she asked me was: "How do you feel about your broken foot?"
"I HATE it!" I replied emphatically. It seemed like a silly question. Obviously I hated it. What other feeling could there be?
"Yes, yes, I understand," she said.
The next thing she said, I will never forget.
She said, "Your foot is broken, and therefore it needs your love. It's healing, and if you send it love, it will have an easier time healing."
Mind blown.
It was the first time I had ever been exposed to this idea that tender things require tenderness.
I had grown up around tough love, no pain no gain, walk it off, don't let it slow you down kind environments.
And I had internalized that kind of attitude. Even towards myself.
My friend's mom asked if she could send me a book, and week later Thich Nhat Hanh's Peace Is Every Step arrived at my door.
It was my first introduction into mindfulness.
A kind and compassionate voice, Thich Nhat Hanh's words began to softly permeate my harsh self-talk, allowing space for love to travel down to the place that was hurting and healing.
A few days ago, a friend sent me the quote at the beginning of this post, from a different book. It brings me right back to the sweet and tender feelings from twenty years ago, when I first learned to send love and care to that place inside me that was broken.
The day after my friend sent the quote, Thich Nhat Hanh passed away. Though he is gone, his words will carry his legacy.
All the suffering parts of ourselves need us.
They need us to be there with them, to send them never ending, unconditional love and care. They need us to not criticize or abandon them.
It. Is. Hard. To. Do. Sometimes.
It really is. And it can be so helpful and reassuring to have some soft, sweet words of encouragement when the doubt creeps in. Or the harsh and critical voice. Or the exhaustion (which is so real).
So I wonder if Thich Nhat Hanh's words might affirm or support you right now.
