One of my favorite teachers, Stephen Levine, has such a helpful metaphor for accepting what is: The Soft Belly. After reading several of his books years ago, I realize I am still ever grateful for this instantaneous physical pull back into the moment, into acceptance and into softening, so counter-intuitive in our world of Hard Things!
excerpt from: Guided Meditations, Explorations and Healings, by Stephen Levine.
“The more one thinks that he or she is the body, the tighter the belly will be at times. There are so many levels of letting go into the enormity of being, but when there is a holding in of the belly the heart is not so available….
We are constantly auditioning for the people we want love from. Our parents, our children, our lovers, our co–workers, our mates. Hard Belly is always auditioning, posturing, angling for control. But this is it. You’ve got the job. You’ve taken incarnation. Now, deepen soft belly to make room in your life for your life.”
Seems We all have a Buddha Belly we can rub for good luck 🙂
And suddenly a beautiful linking connection through the eye of M.
Life as Improv 
What a great reminder. I don’t think Soft Belly has made an appearance in my life in months. Truthfully. Been holding on to everything so tightly….time for a nice deep, softening breath. Thank you for this post.
It is time. After posting this, I’ve been more aware minute to minute of my bracing and releasing, over and over…much more than I could have imagined. So nice to let go. Warmth and Peace (and ease) sent to you, tonight, bedraggled!
I love this. I need to refer back to this regularly.
Reminder for me too! Peace and ease to you!
You, as well, friend.
This is so true. I had never heard it described like this before. I seem to drift continually from a narrow to a broader awareness, and catch myself not appreciating the minute, thinking ahead or looking behind. Hard is a good word to describe that experience, which can only lead to worry and want. Thank you so much for these great observations.
Thank you for sharing your reflections. I “thought” when I posted this, I was softer in my flow than I am actually finding in reality, moment to moment. Enjoying the release! Peaceful night to you!
I find when I pay attention to my upper body, it is my chest that is tight and when I soften my belly then everything just – goes whoosh – down. I love the picture of the laughing Buddha too, can’t help but makes me smile 🙂 A good reminder for me to lighten up once in a while too! 🙂
I’ve been recognizing that whoosh today! Can’t hold anything once the belly goes. Smiling here too!
I love this! I am currently working on some “belly images” 🙂 perfect
I loved looking up belly images to pair with this post…lots of amazing angles to bellies 🙂
Rats. So much for my six pack. 🙂
aaaahahahaha! Thanks for the belly laugh, this morning!
Someone recently called me “soft” and I was so offended. Your post has helped me reframe this!
Your comment made me remember the very same experience, a while ago. I think I would experience as a compliment, haha. Sending you a soft, high five 😉
Thanks for this wonderful, reminding post. It gifted me spontaneous inspiration as I listened to music and myself today.
http://seeingm.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/composing-me-outside-in-today/
xM
I do hear it! Thank you for extending the remembering to my own incredible musician and choreographer within as well! After posting this last night, I actually recognized not only softening the belly moment to moment throughout the day, but I caught a habit I seem to have that I hadn’t recognized of actually withholding my breath at many moments. Renewed the loving flow of healing breath more mindfully! Humbled to be in the loop of sharing! xm
Reblogged this on seeingM.
Thank you, for the spirit of that familiarity. . . .
Thank you, Orion. So enjoying your art and words!
I love it! and the Laughing Buddha is perfect! Thanks for this great attunement – make room for Life! ☼ tomas ♥
Always coming back around to the soft belly 🙂 Love your inclusion of seeingm’s post – and seeing the linking flow between so many ! thank you for spreading the positive vibes!
…and I thank you! We just keep passing the positive vibes from hand to hand here on WP – I love it! ☼ tomas ♥