Listen to Your Body: The Only Friend Who Never Lies

 

We live in a world full of "miracle cures," new technologies, and well-meaning advice. People tell us what to eat, what patches to wear, and how to feel. But through my journey as a hypnotherapist and a student of the human mind, I have rediscovered a profound truth: Your body is the only friend who gives you an honest answer about your well-being.

The Language of the Body

Our bodies don’t speak in English or Czech. They speak in sensations.

• A tight throat.

• A calm breath.

• A sudden spasm.

• A wave of nausea.

These aren't "inconveniences" or "detox symptoms" to be pushed aside. They are high-speed messages from your nervous system. In my practice, I teach that the subconscious mind is the master of the body. When the body reacts strongly—as I experienced recently with a physical spasm—it is the subconscious mind shouting, "This is not for us!"

When "Good Advice" Goes Wrong

A friend might offer you a solution out of love. A company might show you "scientific" studies. But your biology is unique. What works for a thousand people might be a toxin for your specific nervous system.

Recently, I tried something new to help with my dystonia. I wanted it to work. I hoped it would work. But my body said "No" with nausea and facial spasms. I could have listened to the advice to "just push through it," but I chose to listen to my body instead.

The moment I took that patch off, I wasn't just removing a piece of plastic; I was honoring my own boundaries.

Returning to Homeostasis

As a hypnotherapist, I know that healing happens when the body feels safe. If we ignore our body's signals of distress, we are telling our nervous system that we don't trust it. This creates more anxiety and more tension.

When you listen—truly listen—to that "gut feeling" or that physical reaction, you are practicing the highest form of self-care. You are telling your subconscious, "I hear you, and I will protect you."

My Promise to Myself (and My Clients)

From now on, I am committed to being a "Body Listener."

• If it feels heavy, let it go.

• If it makes you feel sick, stop.

• If it brings peace, move toward it.

Your body is the most sophisticated diagnostic tool on the planet. Trust it. It is the only friend who knows your path to healing better than anyone else.

​Beyond the Noise: How to Find Your Inner Witness & (A 3-Minute Calibration)

​Beyond the Noise: How to Find Your Inner Witness (A 3-Minute Calibration)

​As a hypnotherapist, I often see people wrestling with the beautiful, yet disorienting, process of awakening. We talk about finding peace, coherence, and our "true self," but what does "looking inside" actually mean? What are we even looking FOR?

​Many spiritual teachings tell us we are not our name, our job, our achievements, or even our past. They say, "You have no life; you are life." This isn't just poetic; it's a profound truth that points to something deeper within you: The Witness.

​What is "The Witness"?

​Imagine you are watching a movie. You are not the characters, the plot, or the drama. You are the one observing it all from a place of stillness. The Witness is that observer within you. It is:

​The silent observer of your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.

​The space between your thoughts, a calm, still void behind all the mental chatter.

​The infinite being, endless and bigger than your body, your car, your achievements, your pain, or your joy.

​The essence of your awareness, watching consciousness itself, not confined to your brain but encompassing everything.

​When you are not processing the past or the future, when you detach from your body's sensations, your senses, and your mind's endless loops, you enter this space. It's like watching yourself from behind you, seeing everything but being none of it.

​Think of that moment of Awe when you gaze at a majestic sunset or the grandeur of nature. For that precious moment, you are speechless, thoughtless, in pure stillness. You don't label, judge, or narrate what you observe. In that instant, YOU ARE THE ONLY WITNESS.

​Why Finding the Witness Makes You Invincible

​People often say, "I have a life," or "my life is terrible/beautiful." But they don't have life—they are life. The Witness inside you is what allows you to be present in the moment of the Now.

​Once you learn to prolong these moments, stretching them into a sustained state of simply witnessing life as it is, a profound shift occurs:

​You disengage from life's drama.

​You observe the world, nature, and people without judgment, criticism, or labeling.

​You realize you don't need to worry or react.

​As I often say: 10% is what this "simulated reality" gives you; the remaining 90% is your response. But even better than a response is the conscious choice not to react at all. When someone is rude, or a "problem" (which is really just a situation) arises, the Witness in you allows you to observe without getting pulled into the storm. You become invincible because the world can only touch the "avatar" you play, never the true Witness.

​How to Find Your Witness: A 3-Minute Calibration

​This simple exercise is about shifting your "seat of consciousness" from the busy mind to the serene observer.

​(Before you begin, find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed for 3 minutes. You can set a gentle timer.)

​Minute 1: The External Scan (The 10%)

​"Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze. Just listen. Don't label the sounds as 'car' or 'bird' or 'wind.' Just hear them as raw vibrations, pure energy moving through space. Notice the temperature of the air on your skin. Feel the subtle energy around you. These are the Objects of your external world. Now, internally acknowledge: I am the one perceiving these vibrations, these sensations, therefore I am not these vibrations or sensations."

​Minute 2: The Internal Scan (The Avatar - The Body)

​"Now, turn your attention inward. Notice your body: the weight of your limbs, the gentle rhythm of your breath, the subtle pulse of your heart. Then observe your 'mental chatter'—the thoughts that pop up like pop-up ads on a screen. Don't engage with them, just watch them pass. Silently affirm: I am the one watching these thoughts, these feelings, these body sensations, therefore I am not the thoughts, feelings, or body sensations."

​Minute 3: The Space of Awe (The Witness)

​"Now, let go of the external sounds. Let go of the internal thoughts. Turn your attention 180 degrees back onto the Awareness itself—the one who has been doing all the watching. Don't look for a shape, a color, or a specific location. Just rest in that pure, silent stillness that remains. This is the 'Space of Awe' you feel at a sunset, but now, it’s within you. Stay in this void. This is the real You. This is the Witness. You are not a person having a spiritual experience; you are a vast field of Awareness having a 'you' experience."

​Your Journey to Wholeness

​This act of becoming the Witness takes time and conscious effort. It requires a willingness to control your mind, rather than letting your mind and ego control you. But with practice, you will make this "space between thoughts" longer and longer.

​You will become aware of your own awareness, simply witnessing life with compassion and love. This isn't detachment from life; it's a profound reattachment to your most authentic self. It is how you embody your freedom, how you create without collapsing, and how you love without fear. It is your ultimate path to Heart-Mind Coherence.

​

You are not breaking down; you are breaking open into the boundless space of the Witness within.

Breaking Open, Not Breaking Down: The Raw Truth of Awakening

义乂Awakening Metamorphosis ၍ 

​Many of us have been sold a version of "awakening" that looks like a light switch—a sudden flash of white light followed by eternal bliss and quietude. But as a hypnotherapist and someone who deeply loves the messy, beautiful reality of life, I have to tell you the truth: Awakening is not a destination; it is a rhythm. and often, that rhythm feels like a collapse.

​1. The Body Speaks First

​In our modern world, we’ve forgotten that the soul lives in the body. The first sign of awakening isn't usually a "vision"—it is your biology talking back to you. Things that were once "normal"—the food you ate, the people you spent time with, the job you held—suddenly feel distant, unknown, or "off."

​It feels as if you are wearing a costume that no longer fits. This isn't stagnation; it is your physical self rejecting the old, conditioned programming of your subconscious. Your body is the first to know that the old "you" is obsolete.

​2. The Sacred Threshold: 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM

​Do you find yourself wide awake in the stillness before dawn? Between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM, the "veil" between your ego and your soul is at its thinnest. This is a time of profound recalibration.

​If you feel sudden tears or a wave of unease during these hours, do not mistake it for weakness or drama. You are witnessing the metamorphosis of your soul. Your inner life force is flushing out the sediments of old fear to make room for a new frequency. In these hours, you aren't breaking down—you are breaking open.

​3. The Biological Upgrade (The Missing Piece)

​What we often fail to mention is that awakening is a physical upgrade. Think of it as trying to run 220V of electricity through a house wired for 110V. Your nervous system has to literally rewire itself to handle more "light" and higher awareness.

​If you feel the need to withdraw, to be still, or to sleep, do not call it laziness. This stillness is a sacred part of the process. Your system is "holding the peace" while it recalibrates. In this phase, rest is the work.

​4. Freedom is a Revolutionary Act

​Radical freedom feels strange at first. When the walls of your conditioning crumble, you are exposed. You might doubt every move, overthink every decision, or try to control the unpredictability of the "Chaos." The ego is terrified of the void, so it tries to confuse you.

​But true freedom is about identity. It exposes the true story of who you are, which can take even you off guard. It is the ability to:

• ​Create without collapsing.
• ​Love without the shadow of fear.
• ​Co-create with the Universe rather than forcing your path.

​5. The Achievement: Heart-Mind Coherence

​The ultimate goal of this painful, beautiful process is Coherence. This is the highest achievement of awakening: the state where your Heart and your Mind finally sing the same song.

​When you achieve coherence, you stop fighting the flow. You realize that you can relax and step back. You are no longer a victim of your subconscious programming; you are the conscious architect of your reality.

​A Note to My Fellow Travelers

​If you are in the midst of the "Dark Night," if your friends are falling away, or if you feel lost in the unfamiliarity of your own life: Trust the process. You are transmuting suffering into presence. You are learning to dance on the endless waters of your own being. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t always bliss—but it is the most honest way to be alive.

The Courage of Coherence and the effortless decision-making: Mastering When to Speak, and When to Be Silent

 

The Courage of Coherence and the Effortless Decision-Making: Mastering When to Speak, and When to Be Silent

In the age of endless self-help advice, we are constantly given two contradictory commands: "Guard your energy, reveal nothing until it’s done," and "Be radically vulnerable, express deep emotion."

This creates a silent, confusing war. Should you be the silent protector, or the expressive empath? The truth is, choosing either one absolutely leads to exhaustion.

The key to a fulfilled life isn't choosing silence or talking; it’s mastering the Coherence between the two.

The Two Voices in Conflict

We can understand this inner war through the lenses of the Heart-Mind Integrated Coherence Program (HMICP):

• The Mind (Atlantis): The Architect of Protection. The Mind values structure, strategy, and self-defense. Its job is to keep you safe and ensure goals are executed. Its default command is: Protect the Plan. It warns, "If you talk about your dreams too soon, they won't happen."

• The Heart (Lemuria): The Wellspring of Connection. The Heart values flow, intuition, and deep connection. Its job is to ensure emotional health and worthiness. Its default command is: Express the Truth. It whispers, "If you harden yourself, you will lose the love that sustains you."

When these two voices fight, you either become a burnt-out strategist ( all plans, without emotional fuel) or a vulnerable victim (all heart, without strategic boundaries).

The Danger of the Absolute

The Danger of Always Closing: Suppressing feelings, guarding your light, and constantly being secretive creates emotional stagnation. As we discuss in HMICP Session 2, this trapped energy leads to chronic anxiety, bitterness, and the feeling that you are "hardening yourself to the world." While your goals may be protected, your soul is starved.

The Danger of Always Opening: Being radically vulnerable with everyone—from strangers to colleagues—is a waste of precious emotional energy. It violates the sacred boundaries your Mind is trying to protect, often leading to disappointment, exploitation, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by external noise.

The Courage of Coherence: Strategic Vulnerability

The path forward is not closure or openness, but Conscious Coherence—using your Mind to strategically choose where and how your Heart expresses itself.

1. Protect Your Goals, Express Your Gratitude (Mind First): When it comes to business, financial, or personal goals, follow the Mind's rule: Keep it quiet until execution is underway. However, when it comes to feelings for those you love, follow the Heart's rule: Express with boldness. Telling your mother, your son, or your friend that they inspire you costs nothing and reinforces your own well-being.

2. Vulnerability as Fuel (Heart First): The beautiful truth is that expressing how special someone is to you reinforces the idea that you are worthy of having and generating those feelings. For the Heart (Lemuria), courage is found not in silence, but in vulnerability. This brave act of flow is the antidote to low self-esteem.

3. The Coherent Choice: Ask yourself: "Is this expression serving my connection (Heart) or is it compromising my goal (Mind)?" If it's deepening a relationship, express. If it's giving away a critical strategic advantage, be silent.

The real courage isn't found in keeping your heart locked away or leaving it completely exposed. Courage is found in the rhythmic, conscious choice to open up only to those who deserve the beautiful light you carry.

Mastering this distinction is how you end the inner war and achieve the effortless decision-making that is the hallmark of Coherent life.

The Five C's of Well-Being: The Core Blueprint for Lasting Happiness

 

The pursuit of a fulfilling life often feels like a quest for one big, elusive goal. In reality, deep satisfaction—both personally and in our relationships—is built on five fundamental pillars. These are often referred to as the Five C's of Well-Being: Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring.

These qualities serve as the foundation for mental resilience and are the essential building blocks for healthy, dynamic relationships.

1. Competence: The Ability to Do

What it is: The feeling of being skilled and capable in various areas of your life (work, hobbies, self-management). It's the knowledge that when a challenge arises, you possess the tools to navigate it. Competence is not about perfection; it’s about effort and mastery.

In Relationships: Competence allows you to show up as a reliable, resourceful partner or friend. It removes the need for codependency, as you are secure in your ability to manage your own life.

2. Confidence: The Belief in Yourself

What it is: The deep, unshakeable faith in your own worth and abilities. This is the inner conviction that you are valuable and capable, even when you make mistakes. Confidence is the internal echo of the Wise Sage—it is quiet, not loud.

In Relationships: Confidence eliminates the constant need for external validation. When you are confident, you trust your own judgment, communicate your boundaries clearly, and can celebrate the successes of others without feeling insecure (a powerful antidote to the kind of anxiety you mentioned Marnie experiencing).

3. Connection: The Bond with Others

What it is: The feeling of belonging, love, and mattering to others. Humans are wired for social connection, and feeling meaningfully attached to community, friends, or family is vital for emotional survival.

In Relationships: Connection is the lifeblood. It requires vulnerability, active listening, and the courage to show up authentically. Deep connection ensures that during times of stress, you are not alone—you have a support system to rely on, which buffers against anxiety and isolation.

4. Character: The Moral Compass

What it is: The commitment to integrity, honesty, and justice. Your character defines who you are when no one is looking. It is the alignment of your actions with your deepest values.

In Relationships: Strong character builds trust. Trust is the non-negotiable currency in any healthy relationship, whether with a partner, a friend, or a colleague. A person of high character is predictable, reliable, and safe.

5. Caring: The Capacity for Empathy and Compassion

What it is: The ability to feel and respond to the suffering or joy of others (empathy) and the ability to treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and self-compassion.

In Relationships, Caring is what makes a relationship nurturing. It allows you to offer support without judgment. Crucially, caring must begin with self-compassion. If you cannot care for yourself, you will quickly become depleted and resentful when caring for others.

Why The Five C's Are Your Foundation

These five qualities are not separate skills; they are deeply integrated. For example, your Competence fuels your Confidence. Your Confidence allows you to be vulnerable, which strengthens Connection. Your Character dictates how you use your Competence and Confidence.

By actively cultivating these five inner pillars, you ensure that your emotional and relational foundation is robust, resilient, and ready to support the full potential of your life.

How are you cultivating your Five C's today?

Iva Taylor CHt.