Craving Hope: A Spiritual Companion to Weight Loss
published by ACTA publications 2008
Let me explain. To me (for those who would like to) there comes a time when we are invited to examine the layers of our lives in a new way. We can do this through all of our life experiences, sorrows and challenges as they happen---but sometimes if they accumulate without our paying attention, an opportunity presents itself through a need to lose weight.
(Before I expound, I want to clarify that this site and I, as an author celebrate all orientations, shapes and sizes, just as we are inclusionary of all faiths that love God. These are personal decisions and choices which we respect and honor.)
My work has always risen out of what I need to learn. When I became ill, I chose to learn about that. When our beloved son died by suicide, I chose to understand and become a voice for grief and awareness of the epidemic of suicide. When my marriage fell apart, I chose to learn what it means to be on one's own and to make the most of what life has dealt you. When my husband and I reunited, I studied how to make that transition. My whole adult life has been one of studying, seeking mentors and learning to be open to the messages of life---however wrenching that has sometimes been. What does life in the body really mean, I wondered? Does the reality of our life experiences---both the good and the bad---somehow imprint itself into the cellular structure that is the universe of our bodies? Are the mind, body and spirit connections so intimately ingrained that they affect each other in ways we only begin to comprehend?
It took me many, many years as a seeker to reach my personal conclusion, which is yes. I learned that we need have no shame for the condition, weight or state our bodies may be in, at any given age or season in our lives. Our bodies reflect our life in the spirit, our environment, relationships, what we are going through or processing, our heredity, hormonal and genetic makeup, unhealthy choices and habits and much, much more. Our intricate bodies are the coaches that carry and contain our tears, prayers, longings, pain, mistakes, regrets, joys, goals, dreams, accomplishments, inner dialogue and every memory.
My own story of my life in the body came alive the summer of 2006, when it became apparent that I needed to lose weight. Mindless eating and not paying attention that previous winter had allowed the weight to creep up until that spring, I had a huge wakeup call when all my clothes had become too small and none fit. I knew I needed to make a change and thus began a tremendous 90 day pilgrimage which became my book, Craving Hope: A Spiritual Companion to Weight Loss.
It was an invigorating albeit sometimes grueling journey, but as I studied over 30 books and interviewed therapists and specialists in the field, it was as if the eyes of my heart were opened to a whole new concept of what it means to be a spiritual being in a physical body. I discovered places where resistance blocked my ability to grow and thrive, places where I was carrying the weight of wounds from 30 years ago---or all the way to childhood. Places where grief swallowed the light and breath in my soul, suspending my ability to move forward and find the freedom and sense of well-being I sought.
We all, no matter who we are, have these layers in our lives that can be traced all the way back to our center, the core of who we are as the beloved of God. These layers, whether we are conscious of them or not, affect who we become, how we develop our faith and yes---they even affect the physical shape and health of our bodies. People can lose weight without doing the spiritual work by following a sound, secular health and fitness plan. That is certainly an important element we all need support and education in but when we do the inner work, we are entering a realm that can transform our very lives in a lasting, positive way.
I made that journey, did the work and lost the weight. It has not been a trivial pursuit, but rather, one of the most profound undertakings I have ever been involved in. I would even go so far as to describe it as a watershed breakthrough in my life that elevated my perspective to a whole new level of enlightenment.
For those who would like to make the pilgrimage as I did, I invite you to take the first step and begin. Dare to journey into the secrets within your own heart, discover what life in the body really means. Travel to your core beliefs and core identity. Learn what it means to let go of rigidity, to be in the flow and balance of equanimity in body, mind and soul. Learn the power of living in the now, truly taking care of yourself. Come into the fullness of understanding emptiness and what it means to be nourished by God, nurtured through faith and empowered by love.
May your journey be blessed. I send encouragement and care---and wish you courage, peace and strength every step of the way. - Joni
Foundation quote from the book:
Creating a body for our spirit is all about giving our spirit what it needs: relationship, nurturing, sleep, protection, comfort, meaningful challenges, hugs, movement, meditation, time off, forgiveness. That has nothing to do with willpower, but everything to do with self-discovery, mindfulness and permission for extreme self-love.
-Susan Zanin, psychologist and eating order specialist, reprinted by permission.
