Society places a lot of attention on bodies. Some we label "too big" while others we see as "too small." This body is attractive and that one is not. But on the outside, bodies do not consist of much, and it can be useful to contemplate the body in terms of its visible components, such as head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, and skin. When we break down the body into these elements, we become less attached to it. We realize that these parts are impermanent and ownerless. This practice allows us to shift our attention from appearance to more important matters. For more on this technique, see the Digha Nikaya 22.

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