Our body/mind is the instrument with which we relate…to each other, to our environment, to our very self and to Life. Our instrument is precious, and it is ours to care for, to ‘tune’. To attune to yourself is to have an inner world focused attention, even as you carry on with your day and relate to others. Inner attention to not just your thinking, but your body – your feeling and sensing capacities. ‘Tuning in’ to your own inner being cultivates presence, authenticity and right action. Attunement creates harmony, from the inside, out, and helps us navigate boundaries, communication, and the other relational challenges that may arise in our day.
When you attune to yourself, you tune your nervous system, and in turn, you can co-regulate with others.This is one way to understand coherence – attunement of thinking, feeling and sensing that brings the brain/heart/body into alignment. Attunement is listening to the song of your heart, and being in step with your inner rhythm, which leads to more clarity and better health. When you are in step with yourself, you can better tune into the rhythm of the moment and that of other people around you, which engenders authentic relating, collaboration, creativity and healing. And it just feels better !
So how can we make attunement a foundational part of living? Practice ! 🙂 Having the intention to care for and tune your instrument is the first step. Turning towards yourself with compassion and curiosity will help you better listen and attend to the needs of your body, mind and heart. Befriending your self and your nervous system will make it easier to pause regularly through the day to tune in and notice if you have disconnected, gone on automatic or are stuck in your head. In that moment of self-awareness, you can gently return to yourself with a conscious breath or simple grounding/sensing practice. The more you practice, the more it will become your default to stay attuned to yourself with a higher resolution of attention.
A regular practice of meditation is so helpful to support your attunement and presence with yourself and others. It isn’t necessary to sit for long periods of time, even 10 minutes to start your day is great. A simple meditation of anchoring in your body and breath can make a difference in your day, and make it easier to remember to pause. Regular pauses through the day, 5 minutes to return to your breath, to feel your feet and release tension that you may be holding is so helpful, and can help us stay attuned to our own inner harmony.
There are lots of practices in the free e-book on this site that might inspire you and a meditation offering you can try, as well. Check them out – I hope you find them helpful !