Consequence Equals Consciousness

And how ignorance is in fact not bliss.

Today I write to you about the consequences of yesterday’s dietary choice.

Bloatedness, cramping, weakness of the limbs, brain fog, flu-like malaise…

An unpleasant clamour from within.

When I opted for the gluten-free pasta yesterday evening, I genuinely did so with my body’s well-being in mind, hoping it would be kinder to my system.

But alas, gluten-free doesn’t always mean consequence-free. I’m discovering that the hard way.

Still, there is a blessing in all of this, I muse.

Whilst most people can enjoy a seemingly innocuous meal and carry on with their day without another thought of it, I get a detailed play-by-play of the chain reactions resulting from mine:

Announcer 1:
“And here we go! The meal has just hit the digestive tract, and we’re off to an explosive start!”

Announcer 2:
“That’s right, Bill—would ya look at that immune system ramping up! The enzymes are scrambling, desperately trying to break down that rogue pasta. But it’s not looking good…”

Announcer 1:
“Oh, and here come the cramps! We’ve got twisting, we’ve got clenching—this belly is not happy. It’s calling for backup!”

---

"I have a body that speaks to me, that tells me, in its booming voice, ‘Hey, I don’t like this. Change things up, please.’"

---

Interoception is the name of the game, and it’s a noisy one that I’m learning to watch with enthusiasm.

What a blessing, though, that my body is talking to me, relaying its dislikes and likes, wants and needs. That I can hear it.

I have a body that speaks to me, that tells me, in its booming voice, “Hey, I don’t like this. Change things up, please.”

I am vindicated by the acceptance of this truth and the intention to continue honouring my body’s wishes. Even if I make mistakes along the way.

Intriguingly, the more I tune into the messages from my physical self, the more audible my un-physical self becomes, its muted messages inching to the foreground of my awareness.

—The plans you made for this weekend? I’m so not down with them.

—That article you’re composing about hustle culture? It’s not the angle I want to write from.

—Your sulphate-free, paraben-free, dye-free shampoo and conditioner you just stocked up on? Not as great as you think…look into it.

These clandestine whispers offer an opportunity to see that a deeper narrative is playing out behind the scenes— one that I might be inclined to miss when all is going perfectly well and I’m temporarily blind to the truth of my deteriorating condition (I call them my good days—when remission feels like remission.)

Distinctive desires and aspirations arise in line with this narrative. A grander sense of being emerges with it.

Physical consequences are my training ground, prepping me for going deeper. Feeling my pain is my gain. It keeps me perpetually tied to Spirit, witnessing life from the inside out.

I see how my choices affect me, which makes me choose better things. Consequences have only made me more Conscious. And I’m so grateful for it.