Consciousness of the physical body is a powerful gateway to awakening. One of the triggers that all of us as human beings have is running towards that which causes us joy and running away from that which will cause us pain. Everyone wants to avoid illness and suffering at all costs. However, suffering is unavoidable. The nature of the body and that of things in the physical realm are to feel pain, to suffer, and eventually to pass away. We will lose this human body of ours. That is an unavoidable truth. Yet we tend to move about our existence as if it were permanent.
How can we use such seemingly negative aspects of reality as positive, beneficial tools? We can adopt the view that feeling physical pain, fear, or to suffer can be the most beautiful opportunities of the human life. Suffering can be a doorway to waking up. Instead of forcing us away from the present moment, away from the body, suffering can also be a hearkening to what is here now, as it is. Not dreaming of something else, not wishing for things to be different from how they are, but embracing and being with that which is here now, as it is. Seeing that which is here as sacred. Experience the holiness of this physical body, complete with its pains, illnesses, and sadness. Allow the mind to relax and soften so that it stops grasping for things to be different than from how they are. Mentally envision yourself taking on the suffering of others as you suffer. The Buddhist meditation practice of Tonglen can be a very powerful tool here.
Instead of saying things to yourself such as “Why me?” Try saying “Yes, me,” “Thank you,” “I will be here with this as it is, in its full, sacred splendor.” Begin with small pains like paper cuts. Then slowly open yourself up more and more to the pain of being a being in the physical world. No longer denying that which is already here. Then, you begin to crack your whole being open more and more, allowing more room for space, for love, and awakening to the realization that there truly is no self to cling to.