A boilerplate Agreement to Mediate, Guidelines for Mediation, or other explanation of expectations handed out before a mediation session typically includes a statement such as, “Participants affirm that they have the capacity to make decisions for themselves.” Our ever-changing physical, mental and emotional states affect whether we are able to protect our own interests or carefully consider our options. By proceeding with mediation, we are confirming that we know we have the capacity to be an autonomous participant in decision-making and negotiation. How are we assessing whether we actual have the capacity we need at a certain moment in time?

Soma, which is the root of somatic, is a Greek word meaning “the body as perceived from within” or “the body living in its wholeness.” Somatic awareness is when we use our inner perception to observe the interoceptive communication of the soma. Interoceptive is defined as relating to stimuli produced within. That inner communication takes form as emotions, sensations, thoughts – all the stimuli that comes from within our Selves. If we notice the communication, then we can integrate the messages. Noticing the communication is body awareness.

When we have the capacity for mediation, we are at choice in rest-and-digest. If we are in fight-or-flight, then we are primed to protect against threats rather than advocate for our interests. Without body awareness we do not know whether we are in rest-and-digest or fight-or-flight.

I used to ignore messages sent throughout my body. I had asthma that was triggered by any illness that affected my respiratory system, such as a cold. I would start wheezing and that would be a prime indicator that I needed an asthma treatment, but I ignored my wheezing because I did not find the experience of a treatment to be pleasant. This deliberate disconnection can also occur when fight-or-flight is activated by a situation like mediation where the topic of conversation is usually unpleasant. If we disengage from our internal communication, then we cannot feel when we have the capacity needed for listening carefully in order to effectively consider our options.

Body awareness brings us back into communication with our inner stimuli. Bringing awareness to our senses and noticing the flow of emotions, needs, thoughts, and so on allows those messages to inform our decisions. If we are aware of which sensations, emotions, impulses, images, and thoughts are surfacing, then we can act in accordance with whatever state our bodies are in at that point in time. If we are disconnected or disengaged, then we are not in a state where we can assess our capacity. If our internal communication indicates fight-or-flight, then we are not at choice with low capacity for a mediation process. If our internal communication indicates rest-and-digest, then we are not focused on threats and have greater capacity to listen to our options and negotiate the best way forward.

Being aware of our body’s internal communication assists us in so many ways. Regulation becomes accessible. Consent becomes possible. Mediation becomes effective. Additionally, mediation is a voluntary process, and we have the right to end it at any time if we are uncomfortable or if we believe it is not in our best interest. There is a greater likelihood that we will exercise this right if we need to when body awareness is a practice.