On Compassion for the Body

In a Mindfulness course, I heard of self-compassion. Everyone suffers. Our own suffering is also worthy of compassion. Mistakes, emotions, confusions can be viewed objectively, with kindness, not subjectively with fear or a need to win.

            Compassion for thoughts and feelings, even for actions can be understood, but what about compassion for the body? St. Francis called his body ‘Brother Donkey,’ mistreating it for many years. St. Paul thought the body should be disciplined to win the race. What about those of us whose bodies cannot win?

            The body is the brain’s field of play. Movement in distant nerves, chemical exchanges, hormonal flows, relaxation states, desires, excitements, breathing, growth and aging: the brain at play. Gentleness with the body is gentleness with the brain.

            Moderation, taking care, providing safety, avoiding haste or violence are gentle behaviours. Can we show this gentleness to our suffering body? Would it make the body itself gentler, easier to manage, feeling understood and so understanding?

            Gentleness refers too to the quality of being well-born, of honourable lineage. The body has this quality: God’s image in human form. Does such a body deserve harsh treatment, impatience, or neglect? Or should a Spirit of kindness, graciousness and good temper rule our dealings with our bodies, the site of so much suffering and compassion?