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It can be define as intelligence simply as "know-how." Intelligence is present everywhere in our bodies. Our own intelligence is far superior to any we can try to substitute from the outside. Intelligence is more important than the actual matter of the body, since without it, that matter would be undirected, formless, and chaotic. Almost all of the attention that women focus on their bodies is how we look from the outside, which is only one aspect of living in a body.

• is strongest?
• is most injury-prone?
• are you most comfortable with?
• are you least comfortable with?
• do people notice first?
• holds your tension?

Ninety-eight percent of the atoms in your body were not there a year ago. The skeleton that seems so solid was not there three months ago. The configuration of the bone cells remains somewhat constant, but atoms of all kinds pass freely back and forth through the cell walls, and by that means you acquire a new skeleton every three months.

Pretend you could move out of your body and someone new could move in. What tips would you give the new tenant about what it’s like to live here? Consider:

• Rest
• Feeding
• Watering
• Light/Outdoors
• Physical Activity
• Touching
• Soothing
• Stimulation
• Healing

The skin is new every month. You have a new stomach lining every four days, with the actual surface cells that contact food being renewed every five minutes. The cells in the liver turn over very slowly, but new atoms still flow through them, like water in a river course, making a new liver every six weeks. Even within the brain, the content of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and so on is totally different today from a year ago.

• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Seasonal

Even though the rates of change may differ, change is always there. What we calling "intelligence" takes on the role of guiding this change so that we do not collapse into a heap of bricks. That is one of the most obvious facts about the physiology, but intelligence is so changeable, so quick on the move–in other words, so alive–that medical textbooks devote almost no space at all to it.

What tips can you pass on about how to manage this body (keeping it functioning well; squeezing a little more energy from it when it’s tired; knowing when to stop exercising for that day, etc.)?

Another aspect of living in a body is our emotional intelligence:

Our bodies hear everything we think/say about ourselves. If your body could write you a letter about how you speak to yourself and others about it, how you treat it, etc., what would it say?

Dear ____________,

So much of the time we are either taking our bodies for granted or actively disparaging them. And yet they keep serving us, day after day. Take a few moments to think about how your body has been loyally functioning on your behalf, and write anything you'd like to share with others.

• Fought off an infection
• Taken you to the top of a hill
• Stayed awake so you could drive home safely
• Learned a new skill
• Rewarded you with the sight of a sunset
• Healed a bruise
• Given you a new sensual sensation
• Gotten stronger
• Kept working despite being in pain
• Expressed a strong emotion through your face and body language
• Made another human being
• Defended you from an attack, or healed from an attack
• Grown into its current form from a sperm and an egg
• Given you sexual pleasure
• Let you know through pain that something needs your attention
• Released you from pain
• Given you the sound of children laughing
• Rejuvenated during sleep
• Allowed you feel the exquisite touch of another person

"My body has recovered from anorexia, major depression and malnutrition. It has

grown breasts (an odd thing to suddenly acquire at 19 :) ) It has gone from hauling itself around like the walking dead, to having a life force. It has begun to strengthen and form muscle where there was a sudden onset of weight. It has redistributed itself and continues to battle on even though it would been so much simpler to just give in. My body is me. That's an odd statement to make, and it's only when I look at it as a separate entity that I realise how powerful my body, I, am. As my body rejuvenates, so does my mind."

If you have become aware of things you feel appreciation for, you might set aside some time each day to thank and appreciate your body.

A note on meditation: There is no "right" way to reflect. You might want to simply read through the following, and have someone read it to you, or you can make a tape of yourself reading the words. You can do a relaxation first, or not. You might want to have a journal ready to write down what you feel as you finish the meditation.

If you feel like you need to stop at any time, please do so. You may experience powerful feelings from doing meditation, or no feelings, or anything in between. If you have painful emotions emerge, please treat yourself gently. Doing an exercise that puts you in touch with your body may put you in touch with emotions you have "lived above the chin" to avoid. Treat yourself with compassion. You might like some comforting - a hug or a soothing bath or a talk with a trusted friend. Consider writing down what you are feeling.You can do this meditation more than once; in fact, it can be a regular practice to help you build up an appreciation for your body.

Close your eyes and let your awareness settle gradually on your breath, traveling in . . and out. You do not need to try to breathe, your breath just breathes itself effortlessly. Allow yourself to feel the support of the cushions beneath you and behind you, the floor beneath your feet. Notice any sensations in your body: places where you may feel an itch, or an ache, chill or warmth, or an emptiness, or a fullness . . . or even places that seem to have disappeared and feel numb. Just sit with this awareness of you body for a moment.

Imagine the path of your breath, traveling into and out of your body. As it comes in it warms your body, flowing through your nose, down your throat, into your lungs. You can imagine that it keeps flowing down, warming your stomach, your pelvis, radiating out into your limbs, all the way to the tips of your fingers and toes. Your breath travels through your body, and as you breath out, you take any tension that it finds out of your body. Like a warm ocean wave, your breath brings in relaxation, and takes away tension. Feel these waves for a few moments.

Now listen to all the ways that you may have experienced a gift from your body lately. As you listen, let your mind create pictures of the recent past, pictures that fade in and out, creating a kaleidescope of images.

Notice any feelings you are having as you let these images come and go. Perhaps you are feeling some positive feelings toward your body, and perhaps there are also some angry or frustrated feelings too. Let all of your feelings be present and just notice them.

Think of one thing in particular that you appreciate. It may be hard, but try to let a focus happen.

Let yourself feel the specialness of this gift from your body, the awe and wonder of it. What would you like to say to your "body self"? Create a phrase that expresses your appreciation. What phrase captures your sense of appreciation for this gift? Take some time to let this phrase form in your mind.

Now say your phrase to your body self. Notice how you feel saying it, and how you feel hearing it. Maybe this is something you could make time to say more often.

Think of a time during your day when you want to be aware of this body appreciation. It could be any time of your day, but pick a situation that usually happens as a matter of your daily routine already. Whatever this time and place is, it only needs to allow you a few moments of reflection.

What is happening at this time of day? Visualize the environment in as much detail as possible - sights, sounds, smells, sensations of touch, temperature, texture, etc. Now visualize yourself saying your body appreciation phrase. Imagine yourself having feelings about saying it, and hearing yourself say it.

Resolve to let this situation trigger the thought of your body appreciation phrase so that you can feel this appreciation for your body, sincerely and deeply, every day.Notice any thoughts or feelings you are having before you allow your awareness to return to your surroundings.

Now you may want to write about the feelings that came up for you during the meditation. Remember, you may have had powerful feelings or no feelings, or anything in between. There is no "right" set of feelings or images. Try to encourage an attitude of curiosity and respect for whatever your experience is.

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