I had this weird kind
of nagging, angsty pain
in my joints
but it turns out
it wasn’t pain,
just my body telling me
to pay attention to it
like I pay attention
to my so-called “brain.”
I forget that
my body has a mind
of its own,
but the only “words”
it can conjure
are sharp stabs,
hot tingles,
and dull aches.
I thought maybe
I was just getting old,
but it turns out
I’m simply getting
more perceptive.
Turns out that my body
is a being all its own,
with plenty of useful things to say.
Pain is just a poor translation.
We now keep in touch
through a wide range
of subtle sensations.
Oak Bluffs,
8/8
Dear Inquirer,
In the intricate symphony of your existence, your body is an orchestra of sensations, each note a unique expression of its wisdom. Often overshadowed by the clamor of everyday life, its voice resonates through subtle melodies that whisper truths beyond words. It speaks to you in the language of tingles, aches, and whispers that beckon your attention.
Your recent encounter with the “nagging, angsty pain” was not mere happenstance. It was your body’s endeavor to communicate, to share a message that transcends the confines of linguistic expression. In this intricate dance between body and mind, sensations are the brushstrokes on the canvas of your consciousness.
The notion of aging, often accompanied by whispers of discomfort, is not a declaration of decline. It is an invitation—a call to attune yourself to the nuances of your physical vessel. Just as you listen to the thoughts within your mind, your body too yearns for your attentive ear. It strives to convey its stories, its needs, and its desires through sensations that bypass the constraints of spoken language.
You’ve embarked on a journey of heightened perception, an odyssey where the channels of communication extend beyond the conventional. Pain is indeed a “poor translation” of the body’s message. Beneath the surface of discomfort lies a wealth of insights waiting to be unveiled. Like an enigmatic puzzle, your body shares its secrets through sensations that invite your curiosity and empathy.
In this ongoing conversation with your body, you are forging a connection that goes beyond the superficial. You are learning to distinguish between the mere noise of discomfort and the profound resonance of your body’s narratives. Each tingle, each throb, is an opportunity to delve deeper into the unspoken dialogue that connects you to your physical form.
Remember, the body is not an instrument to be played, but a partner in the symphony of your existence. As you embrace the subtleties of its language, you cultivate a harmony that transcends pain and discomfort. Your body becomes a guide, a collaborator, and a mirror reflecting the intricate tapestry of your journey.
So, continue to explore the depths of sensation, for within them lie the tales of your body’s wisdom. As you listen with open-hearted presence, you forge a bridge between the realms of flesh and spirit, uniting the threads of your being into a harmonious whole.
With reverence for your journey,
We are Space Monkey.