My magic castle

My magic castle

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Somatic Magic

Sometimes we may see a movie or read a story about the use of magic and the magician accomplishes wonders simply by waving a wand and using words. But in the very popular books and movies about Harry Potter the wizards are taught the importance of awareness. They are taught how to concentrate. The point I am trying to get to here is that words can be empty and useless if they are not linked to experience. We do think with words but those words have to stand for something. The sensations of the body are a kind of language from our magical self, our right brain. There are many therapists, such as Peter Levine, Pat Ogden, Allan N. Schore and Ale Duarte that treat PTSD by helping people release the excess energy that developed at the time of the trauma and has become locked in the body. Instead of being frozen in paralysis, or suffering other symptoms the children or other patients learn to accept the sensations of their body bit by bit and heal. Healing by listening to the body is one powerful magical result. But we can also learn to listen to the body to judge situations, to make decisions, to change our behavior. Sometimes we will be bombarded with hyperbole. Especially from salesmen or politicians. Our body will give us warmth around our heart, tighten our gut, clench our jay, turn up the corners of our mouth, widen our eyes to help us judge how to react to all those words. We are often told to watch the body language of other people to truly understand what they are communicating. That can be useful. But I am suggesting to all wise magicians that they learn to listen to the language of their own body. Sometimes this will come as a little song, a picture, or some words. But there will also be many other sensations. It is good to be connected to our body. As we give it love it will become healthier. The first step in giving love is to listen. Love your body and you life will have more magic in it. May the spark be with you.

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