Get out of your head and into your body. I’m preaching to myself here. But maybe you can overhear.

Although I encourage people to think, I also encourage people to get into their bodies. When I go through really intense intellectual or spiritual transformations, I remember the words of my wise counselor to stay located. Be here now. Get in touch with my body and stay centered in it.

I read heavy material every day because this is how I exercise my intellect. I’m constantly challenging my categories and theological constructs so that I can break free of my cognitive boxes and grow. But I’ve begun to notice something: I have to get outside, into nature, for for my intellectual processes to trickle down into my spirit. My mind must percolate down into my actual physical life. This is my spiritual transformation. I can get lost in my head. Getting outside and relaxing in nature allows my thoughts to “cook”. The aroma of it then permeates my entire life.

When we go through intense intellectual, philosophical or theological transitions it is so easy to get lost in the labyrinth of our thoughts. But getting outside into the rain, fog, wind, stars, moon and sun unlocks the maze and shoots the mind into the rest of our being.

This is how my integration occurs. Maybe yours happens through meditation. Or some other means. But by any means, do it.

How about you? How do you notice your intellectual achievements get integrated into your whole life and makes you a fuller human being?