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Submit Your Reflection about "The Body's Grace: Matthew Sanford's Story."

Left Wanting for an Answer (October 19, 2007)
Krista asks: "I want to ask you about something you wrote. 'I have never seen anyone truly become more aware of his or her body without also becoming more compassionate.' What's that about? Why is that?" Frankly, I was less than satisfied with his response. Might the notion of a correlation between body awareness and level of compassion actually be an exposition of the very real outcome of Jesus' teaching from Leviticus 19: to love your neighbor as yourself?

Larry Beasley
Holland Patent, NY (Listens to SOF Podcast)

Inspiring Story (December 6, 2006)
This Speaking of Faith makes me once again evaluate my life and give thanks. What a terrible tragedy that Matt went though as a young child and is still going through. In an instant his whole life changed. I found it interesting that because of this tragedy he became more aware of his body. You think you know your body without physical limitations but in reality you become more aware of it when something isn't working right.

Matthew Sanford made the point that our mind and body is always changing. How true. I think we get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to listen to everything that is going on in and around us. The point that he made about how you can hear silence and silence give texture is a deep thought. Listening to his voice and story was very soothing to me. I know that sounds weird, but I could feel his peacefulness with his accident. So many people could of let a tragedy likes this make them angry but he found peace with it. I loved when he spoke of his son needing a hug when he is crying. He needed a boundary for his sadness — he needed to know his pain is contained. I think sometimes we can almost let the pain overwhelm us and let it get out of control.

This was a very inspiring story. I am planning on reading his book after hearing this Speaking of Faith.

Janis Salo
Fridley, MN (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

Something Positive (December 1, 2006)
I thought Matthew Sanford's story was one of inspiration. He went through such a horrible and traumatic accident that happened very early on in his life and, instead of living in negativity, he turned it into something positive. I was very touched by this interview and look forward to reading his book.

Margaret Freund
Minneapolis, MN (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

As a Buddhist (November 3, 2006)
As a Buddhist, I feel there’s nothing more “spiritual” than realizing what keeps us from feeling and behaving compassionately. I appreciate Matthew Sanford’s contribution to the discussion of how essential the mind-body connection really is. Like many other listeners who have posted here, his story reminded me of the ways in which emotional trauma has been stored in my body. He reminds me that there is a way to work through these things unselfishly, with compassion as the motive.

Celeste Budwit-Hunter
Houston, TX (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

SOF Music Selections (October 23, 2006)
I wanted to extend a warm thank you for the superb music selections that accompany and segway your fine broadcast. When I heard Brian Eno's "Fleeting Smile," I thought — that's it — I have to write in. Little known tracks like that make all the difference between the mundane program and the extra slice of thought and genius.

Anthony Brandenburg
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

A Body Tied in Knots (October 20, 2006)
My own trauma was psychological, not physical, but listening to Matthew Sanford me realize how much I have fought the silences Matthew spoke of. I hasn't overcome my fear, and my body has taken that on in a knotted stomach and a shoulder injury. It was amazing to listen to Matthew speak because he has clearly found a space to make and experience peace, a place I've still not allowed myself to find.

Natalie Ford
Ft. Worth, TX (Listens to SOF Podcast)

My Body's Spirituality (October 12, 2006)
I was deeply touched by Matthew and his story on Sunday's Speaking of Faith. He put words on many thoughts and experiences I have had, but didn't know how to describe.

First, he helped me make sense out of my early trauma. When I was 13, I injured my knee doing gymnastics. That was back in 1958 when girls were not yet accepted as athletes. In one moment I went from a great athlete to a good one. I had no way to deal with either the pain or the relief. I remember when the surgeon talked about "the knee" and I wanted to scream, "It is my knee!" Four surgeries later my mother told me that if I wore long pants no one would ever see the scars. Until Sunday night the details of that time had faded away. Since then I have begun to look again at how much that experience has shaped my life.

Second, I was struck by how Matthew described his body. There was such reverence in his voice when he referred to his body. I am currently a professional massage therapist. I am amazed at how many people think of the body as a machine. When Matthew spoke it reminded me of Martin Buber talking about I-Thou relationships as opposed to I-it relationships. How often in our culture we refer to our bodies as "it." I have come to see that my relationship with my body is a covenant, much like my marriage. We are together "for better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death." It is my duty to love, honor, and cherish her. When it is time for me to say goodbye to her, I hope to express once again my gratitude for all of this world she helped me experience.

Kathy Callaghan
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

On Compassion (October 11, 2006)
I have spent my adult life seeking a relationship with my body, although most people would doubt my profound resonance with Matthew Sanford's story — my handicap being emotional. One of the bells that really rang for me was the question on why people become more compassionate with a deeper mind/body awareness? I believe it is simpler than the explanation given. I think it is a simple matter of what feels good in our body. When we are truly aware of the whole sensation, it simply doesn't feel good to judge, be angry, or fear others. That is why I do believe people developing mind/body awareness is our best hope in healing our world's "dis-ease."

Nancy Smith-Watson
Wauwatosa, WI (WUWM, 89.7 FM)

Faith Can Touch in Deeper Ways Than Words (October 8, 2006)
Jerry Lambeth wrote, "I failed to notice any reference to God's healing, comfort, or enablement during his crisis. It seemed to me as though he accomplished his recovery all on his own initiative. Neither did I note any time he offered prayer for recovery and solace. My conclusion was that he exercised faith in his own body and yoga. Apparently, God had nothing to do with his return to usefulness and productivity. How did faith 'speak' in this program?"

I think that not all faith is expressed in specific "God-language." I am a Catholic Christian, and I found the program very uplifting. It brings to mind Jesus incarnate, in his body and able to experience the body's joys and indignities, to feel the fullness of pain and joy, drink wine at a wedding and be tortured on a cross. And in his humanity, in his body, he could, as Matthew Sanford said, experience more compassion than people who see their bodies as something to be forgotten or manipulated by will alone.

Later on the same day that I heard the program, I was swimming in a local pool. In the lane next to mine, two women swam with incredible speed and grace, finishing about two laps to my one. I'm in my fifties and hurting from a knee injury. And although I did at one point think how wonderful it would be to swim as well as they did, I also found it wonderful simply to be swimming, to feel the water, see the rush of bubbles under the surface, play… I complimented one of the women when we both paused at the wall, and she returned my compliment. And as we kept going, I felt a kind of kinship with these women. We were all finding what we came for — even if at different speeds. It was an experience, I felt, of grace: there was no need for envy on my part, just a sense that we shared a watery space and a love for swimming, and the differences were simply aspects of us, not reasons to be divided.

Diane McManus
Upper Darby, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Compassionate Questioning (October 8, 2006)
Speaking of Faith comes on at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings here, and it's the only day I don't work. So I lie in bed, stirred to engage with new realms as I listen, before my eyes even open. Speaking of Faith is my favorite hour on the entire media spectrum. Your topics, questions, attunement, and tenderness with the guests, Krista, are so rare. It's a privilege to just listen to you interact with them, and to the mysteries and insights they bring you. I am a psychotherapist — much older than you; I engage with compassionate questioning all day long, and still I learn from you how to do it even more sensitively.

The two recent programs with Rachel Naomi Remen and Matthew Sanford were absolutely outstanding. I was so touched by this remarkable young man this morning, and by Dr. Remen two weeks ago. Two experiences of early loss, growth, personal healing, and remarkable shared wisdom. What a gift that you bring these people and topics to us! Thank you. I am clicking on "contribute" next.

Susie Symons
Farmington Hills, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)

Figuring Out How to Heal Myself (October 8, 2006)
I just want to thank you for your program. It really hits home with me. All of the people you have interviewed have been insightful, and even when I did not agree with them, I felt like I had insight into why they believe as they do, and that created a bridge in my understanding for which I am grateful.

Today you interviewed Matthew Sanford. Although he may never walk, he has healed himself in a profound way. I've had the need to heal several illnesses and the things he talked about were familiar to me. People are starting to ask me how I have healed myself and as I'm starting to develop a way to relate that information to them, this interview really helped me. Thank you for everything. I know I'm speaking for many people when I say this.

Linda MacKay
Colorado (KUNC, 91.5 FM)

Alternative to Negativity and Hate (October 8, 2006)
The interview this week with Matt was amazing. What an internal strength of will exemplified by his living and work. We are so lucky to have him on the planet and talking to all of us through your show. Keep showing us the alternative to negativity and hate. You do good work!

Lynn Underwood
San Diego, CA (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

Life Matters (October 8, 2006)
My father suffered a stroke that left him unable to move or speak. I cared for him in my home for 10 years. Although it was a huge burden for me, I did so for two reasons. First, I knew that skilled nursing facilities do not train their workers nearly well enough to care for a man in his condition. Second, I felt he was in contact with me and the world on a level that could not be dismissed or ignored.

Of course, these two reasons are part of one larger awareness — that life matters. The comments of Matthew Sanford put into words the understanding, compassion, and intuition that helped me stick with my father for so long. I submitted to something speaking within me and to me, regardless of the attitude of others, including medical professionals. I am glad I did this. I celebrate the complex gift of life when I hear someone like Mr. Sanford speak so freely and eloquently. I also celebrate my wonderful father who passed on to another level just last March. Thank you for this broadcast, it deeply affirmed something very important to me — that I was doing the best thing I possibly could for my father by not abandoning him and by just being still and quiet while holding his hand as long as he could hold mine. It wasn't easy, but it was right.

Rowena Bowman
Kiln, MS (WMPN, 91.3 FM)

Thoughts on a Changing Body (October 8, 2006)
I have a rare neurological disorder that mimics the effects of MS which is slowly taking away function on one side of my body. I have been an athlete (soccer, long distance biking, snow boarding) my entire life and the switch of thinking of using a crutch and wearing a foot brace has been quite difficult.

Listening to this program I heard many things that I can identify with, and I felt a breakthrough on a certain level when Matthew talked about wanting to fight and rage and push through no matter what, and being able to get to the place beyond the fight. I have met many people at a place called Courage Center who are trying to get me to that place, and I am so glad to hear that it is possible to get there. I struggle with doctors who don't know what to call the disorder, with the change in my function, and with the lurking fear that somehow I am doing this. Hearing this program after church today gave me peace, and maybe I will soon be able to quietly listen, hear, slow down, and accept.

Annie Hickman
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Spiritual Awareness and Inter-connectedness (October 8, 2006)
Matthew Sanford's story about his experience with the more subtle awarenesses that can be achieved simply by "listening" and taking the time to be "quiet" connect with many of my own direct experiences with this phenomena. Though I do not suffer from a physical disability to the extent that Matthew does, his observation that all of us have equal access to what he experiences is truth. All of us run into the "wall" of physical limitation at some level, even the most healthy and physically active among us.

This observation corresponds with my life story beginning with my earliest memories from growing up sheltered in a Mennonite family and community in Ohio, and my continuing search for intellectual and spiritual integrity in all aspects of life. Matthew's observations and insight expressed on the program make more sense to me than anything I have learned from organized religion. Spiritual awareness, as our physical bodies confirm, is a living organism, always listening and learning, provided that we allow ourselves to "see" it. Once any spiritual awareness becomes dogmatized into some sort of canon or creed, it can no longer adapt to the nuances we experience each day that are the source for our honest spiritual development.

Thanks Krista for another wonderful story of faith. And may Matthew reach many, many people with his message of living lives of interconnectedness so desperately needed in our "divide and conquer" based society. Healing experiences teach us over and over again that it is the communication between the various elements internally and externally that we rely upon for any sense of peace, individually and corporately. If only this type of thinking could be exercised in all of our great world religions, and the leadership of our countries and communities.

John Meyer
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)

Inner Silence (October 8, 2006)
This was an amazing interview. Thank you so much allowing me to hear Matthew's insight. What he describes as our inner "silence" so resonated with me — I knew at that inner depth that what he was sharing was true. As a 10-year yoga practitioner, I understand the space and silence he describes, but he took my understanding to a depth that will truly change my life. Thank you again for your continued efforts to bring such insightful, loving, compassionate people to our homes weekly!

Tammy Stevens
Indianapolis, IN (WFYI, 90.1 FM)

A Lack of the "Real" (October 8, 2006)
First of all, I would say that your program is better than most programs on "spirituality." That said, it has profound limitations based on what I perceive as a contrived persona on the program that makes the discussion sound "new age-y." You said on today's program (with the author of Waking) that language often makes what you say sound new age-y but it is more than language. I believe that even words like "faith" and "values" which are most predominant on your program have been ruined. Define "faith," define "values." We all have faith and values. Those words alone aren't descriptive of an attitude or awareness that has anything to do with reality — which, to me, all spirituality would need to be based.

In my view, most practiced spirituality comes in three categories (totally simplistic, I agree): toxic, benign, and real. Your program is not generally "real" although it occasionally has guests and discussion that are more reality oriented. Even Matthew Sanford today went into the broad generalities that makes most discussions of spirituality become new age-y (benign) and not real. An example was his statement that deepest body awareness (or something like that) brings compassion. This is one of those statements that drives me crazy and makes me think that the speaker's experience (or analysis of it) is contrived and not real. It is too general and "touchy-feely."

You could say that the problem is, again, about language. Not entirely. Even the mystics wrote, but one can intuitively determine (based on one's own grasp of realty) the reality of those writings. You should have a guest who presents the dark side of spirituality: not evil or anything like that, but dealing with things finding "God" not after going through darkness, but the darkness is "God." 99.99% of Americans are neurotic and most American religion and spirituality is a product of keeping neurotic fantasies intact. While your program is better than most, it still has a strong component of that "touchy-feely", new age-y element of neurotic spirituality and a lack of the "real."

Paul Anderson
Philadelphia, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

The Body's Story (October 7, 2006)
I listened to Matthew Sanford's story shortly after a meditation in which I found myself becoming deeply rooted in the earth — connected to the love, strength, energy, and acceptance available to us all. This connection has taken me nearly 30 years to find. In 1978, when I was 17, I lost my sister to suicide, after silently watching her attempts for more than three years. It was at that point that I disassociated nearly completely from my body and my emotions. But my body, in its infinite wisdom and grace, never gave up its attempts to reconnect and wake me up. After two autoimmune diseases and a heart valve replacement, I realized that my body was repeatedly telling me the story I was trying so hard to ignore. It was then that I began to pray, meditate, do yoga, and Rubenfeld Synergy, all of which allowed me to finally surrender into my body. Now I can feel my true emotions, my spirit, and my love. I am deeply thankful to people like Matthew Sanford who have the courage to tell about and live their own life stories.

Marian Buck-Murray
Maplewood, NJ (WNYC, 93.9 FM)

Deeply Moving (October 6, 2006)
While I listened to Mr. Sanford's story, I was deeply moved. I, too, am disabled, though my disability has been with me since birth. I have never been able to walk and my body image is different from Mr. Sanford's. However, I agree with his views that we need both our body and our mind as equals to have a meaningful understanding of ourselves. My body is a part of me and, even though it is not like other bodies around me, it is just as good, just as there, just as needed. Thank you for this meaningful programme.

Tessy Wieme
Ludwigshafen, Germany (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

How Did Faith Speak in Sanford's Story? (October 5, 2006)
Today, I listened to hear Matthew mention his journey of faith. Did I miss something? I failed to notice any reference to God's healing, comfort, or enablement during his crisis. It seemed to me as though he accomplished his recovery all on his own initiative. Neither did I note any time he offered prayer for recovery and solace. My conclusion was that he exercised faith in his own body and yoga. Apparently, God had nothing to do with his return to usefulness and productivity. How did faith "speak" in this program?

Jerry Lambeth
Harrisville, NY (WSLU, 89.5 FM)

Becoming Who You Are (October 5, 2006)
Matthew Sanford's journey into embracing the fullness of loss is deeply moving and engenders the "silence" within me. His visage itself radiates life, grace, and compassion. Thank you for this poignant glimpse into what one person found within him and beyond him.

Susan Vining
Cheshire, CT (WSLU, 89.5 FM)