For many people who are familiar with the term “centering,” it suggests a purely spiritual, even mystical, process. But it can also be physical. Imagine yourself literally standing with feet firmly planted and unable to be thrown off-balance by some external force. You feel confident in yourself that whatever may threaten you, you will remain secure and stable and able to continue on with life.

All the Life Listening practices are holistic, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements. Here is simple body work for the Practice of Centering:

• Stand up with feet apart at the same width as your shoulders.
• Relax your muscles, beginning with relaxing your hands and fingers and letting that relaxation spread slowly up through your shoulders and down your back to your toes.
• Let your arms hang loosely and your palms open, as if facing another person and be willing to reach out and embrace the other.
• Smile, letting your face and head muscles relax as well.
• Breathe deeply. Place your hands on your belly, a couple inches below your navel so that you feel the rise and fall of your breathing.
• Close your eyes lightly and imagine yourself feeling balanced, confident, firmly planted without being rigid – and able to face whatever force might seek to unbalance you.