Weaving a Bridge

THE PARADOX OF SOMATIC ANATOMY

Living root bridge in Nongbareh, India. These bridges have been built for centuries by the indigenous people of the land (Khasis and the Jaintias) to cross the overflowing rivers during the monsoon season.

Somatic anatomy is an oxymoron.  

The root of the word somatics comes from the Greek word “soma” which means body; but in the context of the living body and its wholeness, the totality of being.

The root of the word anatomy is derived from the Greek words “ana” meaning apart and “temno” which translates to cut or incise, creating “anatome” or cutting up / dissection.

I love this paradox, this place in the middle, the possibility that lies within looking right and looking left; soaking in the tense anticipation and breathless curiosity that is generated within such a potent space.

Let’s wander these roads together and consider what lies beyond, within. 

To our right is anatomy.  In this place we look beyond the curtain, we disassemble and examine so that we may name and honour what lies within.  These bits and bobs, these highly specialised parts - in and of themselves a marvel.  Walking the path of anatomy, we have the opportunity to learn the names of landmarks, demystify purpose and function, map the course and define the borders.

To our left is soma.  The sum of the anatomical parts that somehow transcends a mere conglomeration of bits and bobs into something transcendent.  A scalable system, a vital organism, be it on the human level or expanded to encompass the enormity of our living, breathing Earth. Floating in the river of somatics, we immerse ourselves in salty water. Expansive and seeping into hidden depths, crevices and the in-between spots, we sink into presence through patient attention.  Never the same river twice, as they say, this is a life long exploration of the whole.  

And so here we are.  (Somatomy?) At the threshold of discovery no matter which way we turn. I invite you to join me on this circumambulation* of place:

Let's forest bathe in this wild and wonderful world - the cellular world within you, the earthly world in which you roam and the grander universal body in which we exist. 

Until now, this blog has focused primarily on forest bathing. The time now feels right to expand, to weave a bridge between worlds; inner, outer and imaginary. Through these reflections I hope to open a portal to places previously unknown, or perhaps known and forgotten; fleeting, shy but just as curious about you ;)

*circumambulation: the ritual act of walking in a circle around a sacred object or place, representing devotion, meditation, and the symbolic journey of life or the cosmos.