It was early in my MT training program that I took a brief test to see what my learning style was (one would hope it would be auditory since I am a therapist and listen to people for large blocks of time...). But ALAS!!! Was not the case. My primary modality for learning and processing information is Visual, then Kinesthetic, then Auditory. Oh boy. That explains a few things.....Like why grad school, which is mostly lecture, was such a challenge--why I dislike listening to teaching CDs/podcasts, and why I will find myself reading books anytime I sit down for more than 15minutes at a time--among other things.
But the thought that caught my attention this morning (and was related to a conversation I had with a classmate last night--thanks Veronica!) was regarding how personal healing/growth might occur within the various modalities--how a person might be open to receive healing and be a channel of healing for others given their own preferred modality. It would be my guess that we can give and receive through each of the modalities--but we may have a "preferred modality."
For example: perhaps an individual who is more auditory, would find healing occurring as they listen to teachings, repeat prayers, or speak out loud positive affirmations. Likewise, others might receive healing from them when these individuals speak/are heard or focus their intention in a phrase in their mind. Maybe people who process kinestheticly may find their actions to be prayer--finding that their "doing for others" is a channel of healing. Similarly, if my own preferred method of processing is primarily visual....then most likely I would most easily receive healing, and be a channel of healing to others through......Visualization!!! (some may prefer the term imagination).
For some reason, up until now, I have experienced a general fear of visualization--especially in the area of faith (which is also where my understanding of healing comes from). This would be rather ironic, and put great constraints on me given that visualizing is my natural way of processing the world. So. Where does this leave me and bodywork? Not quite sure, except that I have some exploring to do. :)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
"With my body, I thee worship..." Part I
"With my body I thee worship..." These words used to be included in marriage vows--what a groom would promise to his bride.* What powerful words. I remember being perplexed by this phrase as a child, because I was taught that you were never to worship ANYTHING but God. But my little brain reasoned, if the Church had sanctioned these words (and the Church was all about worshiping God), the words must have meant something different that what I thought they meant. But I had no clue as to what that was.
Well, the last several years I have done some research, conversed with friends, experienced massage/bodywork, etc. and have come to think that in the above context, "worship" actually means "to serve/honor." Wow. What would that mean? What does it mean to serve and honor the body of another?
I think it means to honor the sacredness of each body....instead of the body being an object to be used. How are bodies viewed in our culture? As an object. Bodies are the objects (vs. subject) of other forces...objects of lust, retail sales, marketing campaigns, surgeon's scalpels, punishing regimens. The body is viewed as not being sacred in its own right--but that it needs to be enhanced, changed, punished, used for someone else's gratification.
But now, the words of Christ "This is my body, given for you / broken for you..." in the institution of the Eucharist/Communion become so powerful. Instead of him demanding the body of another--He gives his own body sacrificially for the wholeness and healing of the other.
As a massage therapist/bodyworker, I have the opportunity to honor and serve the body of the person with whom I work, with my own hands, with my own body--with my own person. Touch has the ability to be the somatic expression of serving another with my own body--not to have my needs met but to bless and honor them. I am grateful to have this new means to honor and serve others. To echo the words of Christ, I pray, "This is my body, given for you...."
*(I wonder if the words said by the bride to her groom "I will honor, cherish and obey" were removed at the same time?)
Well, the last several years I have done some research, conversed with friends, experienced massage/bodywork, etc. and have come to think that in the above context, "worship" actually means "to serve/honor." Wow. What would that mean? What does it mean to serve and honor the body of another?
I think it means to honor the sacredness of each body....instead of the body being an object to be used. How are bodies viewed in our culture? As an object. Bodies are the objects (vs. subject) of other forces...objects of lust, retail sales, marketing campaigns, surgeon's scalpels, punishing regimens. The body is viewed as not being sacred in its own right--but that it needs to be enhanced, changed, punished, used for someone else's gratification.
But now, the words of Christ "This is my body, given for you / broken for you..." in the institution of the Eucharist/Communion become so powerful. Instead of him demanding the body of another--He gives his own body sacrificially for the wholeness and healing of the other.
As a massage therapist/bodyworker, I have the opportunity to honor and serve the body of the person with whom I work, with my own hands, with my own body--with my own person. Touch has the ability to be the somatic expression of serving another with my own body--not to have my needs met but to bless and honor them. I am grateful to have this new means to honor and serve others. To echo the words of Christ, I pray, "This is my body, given for you...."
*(I wonder if the words said by the bride to her groom "I will honor, cherish and obey" were removed at the same time?)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)