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than spacetime.” As a Christian, it is fairly easy Embodied Love
to understand that it is not only our individu- Somatic Psychotherapy is based on principles
al selves, but all of creation, the entire known arising from wisdom that was deeply under-
world, is simultaneously a manifestation of God stood by ancient systems of healing and by my-
and continuously arising from God, where we stics: namely, we are one integrated and inter-
‘live and breathe and have our being.’ related body. In the recent past, our scientific
advances have been able to validate this long-
Syncing held truth.
Another example of how interconnected we One of Jesus’ principle injunctions, according to
are is found in syncing. The natural law of cou- his disciples, was telling us to ‘Fear Not.’ In my
pled oscillators holds that when two or more understanding, this deeply aligns to my work as
rhythms meet, they will become coordinated— a somatic psychotherapist. Supporting clients’
a phenomenon seen across the natural world, transformation of patterns rooted in fear allows
from fireflies matching their flashes, to women’s a space where hope can grow. This spaciousness
menstrual periods harmonizing when they live means that clients can literally breathe more ea-
together, to the scattered clapping in a crowd sily, allowing for more life. As they experience
spontaneously falling into the same pattern. healing, clients will often use language that
In somatic psychotherapy this natural syncing points to their increased capacity to embody
or resonance is used to facilitate a client’s dee- love. Phrases such as, ‘I feel more clarity’’ My
pening awareness and healing. Earlier I mentio- chest feels more open’, ‘My body feels lighter,
ned how my body attunes to my client’s through less burdened’ all indicate how this journey to
my own physical sensations. I liken this to when an embodied place of wholeness and health is
a still tuning fork begins to vibrate (if it has the holy work. And one I believe, that contributes
same natural frequency) next to a second tu- to bringing God’s realm here on earth.
ning fork that is struck. My journey in somatic psychotherapy has re-
This syncing is of course reciprocal and can be sulted in my body being a much more com-
used to support clients. For instance, if a client fortable place in middle age than when I was
is in a state of despair or hopelessness, as a the- in my twenties. Understanding that I am one
rapist I will hold the place of hope or possibi- unified being, not an aggregated sum of body,
lity for their healing until the client can begin mind, and spirit, leads me to embrace all of my-
to connect to that place inside themselves. As self and all of my client’s self. As Agnes Sanford
Christians, this notion is one that is naturally emphasized, God took great pains to become
associated with prayer. As a Quaker, when I incarnate. Incorporating the body is essential in
pray, I focus on ‘holding someone in the Light’. the holy work of releasing the hold of fear, lear-
In doing so, I can imagine that the resonance ning to embody and enact love, and saying yes
of that which participates in God within them, to God’s promise found in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
is being amplified by the resonance of the light “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ
from which we both arise. has become a new person. The old life is gone; a
“God is light and joy and peace, and [when we new life has begun!” (New Living Translation)
are ill] we are …in darkness and sorrow and
discomfort.” “Let us not be ashamed to accept References
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