If we pay close attention to our body we can easily notice how much we don’t notice. If we take notice of how our legs are working as we walk, we will find there is a great deal we do not pay attention to.
On the one hand, it is terrific that we can walk without thinking about it – we can pay attention to all manner of other, interesting qualia. If we pay attention to our walking with a view to breaking unhealthy habits (walking on the outside of the foot, constricting our shoulders, listing to one side, breathing out of rhythm, etc.), then we may protect ourselves from problems down the road.
Separating ourselves from the routine is an experiment. Habits of movement, exercise, diet, hygiene – each is an opportunity for conscious ritualing. Conscious ritualing makes us receptive to the appearance of new qualia.
It is necessary to pay close attention to what our body is telling us when we make changes. We fail in our body rituals because we don’t pay close attention. We notice one positive or negative thing (e.i., I lost a pound, or it made me feel sick), we draw a conclusion, and we stop paying attention.
But our conclusion is usually wrong. No scientist would end an experiment with so few results. We fail for the simple reason that it takes practice to hold qualia in the mind. When we start paying attention, however, we get lots of results. These gifts can fill our thoughts, and they are easy to forget – and that is why we write them down instead. Keep a journal.