Movement

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the importance of movement.

I’ve been thinking mainly about the movement of our bodies, especially in the midst of sheltering in place. Personally, over the last two years, I’ve found weightlifting to be my favorite physical outlet. With gyms closed, and an aversion to running, I’ve had to think of different ways to engage body movement.

Adapting to this change has made me appreciate the connection between my body’s movement and my health – physical, mental, and spiritual. The more I move, the healthier I feel in every facet of my being.

But of course, there are different types of movement. Some are limited by social distancing orders (bodily movement), but others could be enhanced by our need to stay in place (spiritual and mental movement).

Movement of our bodies is not limited to physical exercise. I also think of how our bodies move through our world. Traveling to a different country. Embarking on a multi-state road trip. Walking through a different part of the city. Using a different means of transportation – the city bus or metro instead of driving. Strolling through a museum or art gallery. This is a cultural type of movement as we experience different parts of the human experience; different ways that people have created.

There’s also movement that helps us experience God’s creation. Hiking in a state or national park, or any park/reserve that’s close to you. Moving your body to a place where you can then sit still and enjoy nature’s movement, like watching waves crash against the shore, listening to a river in its continuous flow, or observing wildlife. It could be as simple as strolling through your neighborhood and allowing birdsong remind you that God’s creation is not limited to a preserve or untouched wilderness.

Of course, these movements are limited right now. We can’t (or at least, shouldn’t) hop on a plane. Many parks are closed. The need for rest stops makes a road trip risky.

But, when I think of movement, I also think of one that’s internal. A movement of mind and spirit. While this is important for all of us, it is also a type of movement that is accessible to most of us. If your ability to move your body is limited, spiritual and mental movement is still available.

One of my favorite spiritual disciplines is centering prayer. In this, your body is completely still, and your mind and spirit continually and intentionally move toward the center of God’s presence and love. When your mind wanders – unintentional movement – you gently return to center, perhaps through using a centering word like “peace” or “grace.” In centering prayer, your mind can move through God’s expansive presence while your body is comfortably sitting in your chair.

This type of movement is not only available to us during a shelter-in-place order, but we may also have more time to do this. Some of us have fewer social engagements and less travel time to work. A ten minute meditation can do wonders for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health when our ability to move through the world is limited. Even if time is limited – if, for example, you have children at home or you are an essential worker who is continuing to leave the home to serve us (thank you!) – the need for this kind of movement may not be as convenient, but it is as necessary as ever. It allows us to move from anxiety to peace, from restlessness to rest, from chaotic movement to stillness.

So, I encourage you to move today. Practice centering prayer. Do some air squats. Go on a walk. Meditate. Stretch. Breathe deeply. Move.