It is no wonder that modern human beings carry a legacy of 1)animalism; we evolved, after all, from the animal kingdom. And as we are positioned and situated at least one step further in the evolutionary ladder, human beings are possibly even more animalistic than the so-called animals.
现代人继承了兽性这一“遗产”,这不足为奇。我们毕竟是从动物进化而来的。而在进化阶梯上,当我们所处的级别至少高了一级时,人类或许甚至比被称作“动物”的动物更具兽性。
However, we tend to ignore our animalistic traits and live our lives in our heads. We’re either thinking about the past or the future. It begs the question: Are we really living or are we thinking about living? Rarely do we live in the present moment, truly aware of ourselves and others in time and space, conscious of our current surroundings. We’re such ‘head’ creatures that we utterly forget about our bodies and how they’re operating, as well as what is happening around us right now.
然而,我们往往会忽视我们身上的动物特征,而“活”在我们的脑子中。我们不是在回忆过去,就是在幻想未来,却回避了这一问题:我们真的在活着吗?还是说,我们不过是终日沉浸在思索中,以这种方式来过活?我们极少活在当下,极少真正搞懂处在时空中的自己和他人,极少感受我们眼下所处的环境。我们是一种“头脑”动物,由此我们全然忘记我们的身体,忘记它们是如何运作的,也忘记了此刻发生在我们周围的事。
Man is said to be the intelligent animal. That is why a man is always asked to 2)keep his instincts at bay and behave “humanly”. But the problem is: Are we ignoring that we are animal creatures? Our bodies are a window into how we’re feeling.
人类被称作高级动物,因而人们总被要求要压抑本性,行为举止要“像人一般”。但问题是:我们是不是在忽视自己本就是动物?我们的身体就像一扇窗,让我们得以了解自己的感受。
How many times have you said that a person is warm and likable, as opposed to cold and3)standoffish? In one recent study at Yale, researchers divided 41 college students into two groups and casually asked the members of Group A to hold a cup of hot coffee, while those in Group B held iced coffee. The students were then 4)ushered into a testing room and asked to evaluate the personality of an imaginary individual based on a packet of information.
有多少次你会评价某人说他/她热情且讨人喜欢,而非冷淡、不友善?在耶鲁大学最近所做的一次调查中,研究员将41名大学生分为两组,随机让A组的成员手持一杯热咖啡,而B组的成员则手持一杯冰咖啡。接着,这些学生被引入一间实验室,被要求根据一系列信息来评价某个虚构人物的个性。
Students who had recently been cradling the warm beverage were far likelier to judge the 5)fictitious character as warm and friendly than were those who had held the iced coffee.
方才捧起热饮的那些学生们用“热情而友善”来评价那一虚构角色的可能性远高于那些手持冷饮的学生们。
Or maybe you are feeling the chill wind of social 6)opprobrium. When researchers at the University of Toronto instructed a group of 65 students to remember a time when they had felt either socially accepted or socially 7)snubbed, those who 8)conjured up memories of a rejection judged the temperature of the room to be an average of five degrees colder than those who had been wrapped in warm and9)fuzzy thoughts of peer approval.
又或许,当面对社交耻辱时,你会感觉到一股寒意。当多伦多大学的研究员指示由65名学生组成的一组人回忆一个曾让他们在社交过程中感觉到被接纳或被冷落的情景时,回想起自己遭拒情景的学生对室内温度的判断,比回想起得到同龄人认同和接纳的那些温馨场面的学生所估计的平均要低5度。
The body 10)embodies abstractions the best way it knows how: physically. The importance of the body cannot be underestimated. Just like exercising, 11)opt for lighter weights when your body is speaking to you. Lower the incline when you need to. Run slower to your destination. Rest when your body needs it. When you are feeling great, go for it. When you are not, do what you can and be okay with that. Listen to your body. Your body is a hugely important instrument in helping you increase your confidence, 12)wellness, and success, but one that is not focused on enough. We read and read and read in order to improve ourselves, but it’s time to recognize your body in the development process. Any physical activity,—whether yoga, 13)martial arts, 14)breathing exercises, or dance—will help you become more aware of your body, your muscles, how your body moves in space, and how it feels when it’s tensed or relaxed. Increased body awareness also helps to bring you into the present moment. As you become more aware of your body, you can monitor your body to help you reach your personal goals. Increased body awareness also comes with a shift in attitude. How many times have you found yourself to have a stronger core and healthier 15)stance after physical activity? Breathing, weaving your hips, stretching your arms, and 16)clenching your fists, all of these physical activities are more than sweating. It’s about feeling your life. By listening to your body and responding to it with awareness, you 17)tap into the field of infinite possibility, where the natural experience is peace, harmony, and joy.
身体用其所知道的最好的方式将抽象的感受具体化:通过身体本身。你不能低估身体的重要性。就像做运动时,当你的身体指示你举轻一些的重量时,你就照办;需要的话就把跑步机的倾斜度调低一点;向着你的目的地跑慢一些;当你的身体需要休息时就休息;当你感觉棒极了,就全力以赴前进吧;当你感觉不好,就做你力所能及的事,接受现实。倾听你的身体。你的身体是你增加自信、变得更健康更成功的一个非常重要的工具,却没有得到你的足够重视。我们通过不断的阅读来改善自我,但,是认清你的身体在这一发展过程中的作用的时候了。任何体育运动——无论是瑜珈、武术、气功,还是舞蹈——都将帮助你更加了解你的身体和肌肉、你的身体如何在空间里运动,以及当你的身体处于紧张或放松状态时你的感受。提高对身体的认知也会帮助你活在当下。由于你越加清楚自己的身体,你就能指导它去帮助你达成个人目标。提高对身体的认知也会导致你转变态度。多少次在进行体育运动过后,你发现自己的内心更强大,而身心更健康?呼吸、摆臀、伸展手臂,还有握紧拳头,所有这些体育运动并不只是流汗这么简单。你是在感受你的生活。通过倾听你的身体,并有意识地对它做出回应,你就接通一个充满无限可能的领域,在那里,你能自然地感受到平静、和谐以及喜悦。
Yesterday is regrettable, tomorrow still 18)hypothetical. But you can always listen to your body, and seize today with both hands.
昨日让人懊悔,明日还只是假设。但你总能倾听自己的身体,用双手握住今日。
