Exploring
Somatic simply means listening to the body. It is a conscious way to pay attention to physical perceptions and experiences that are stored in our body that usually remain unconscious. Believing that, “our issues are in our tissues,” In a somatic prayer session we gently allow the hidden contractions and wounds to surface and then bring the Spirit’s healing power to this tender part of ourselves. The wounds could be the result of childhood trauma, neglect, abuse or ongoing anxiety or compulsive behavioral issues.
As James Finley reminds us, “Faith tells us that we are created by God and made in the image of God so we are infinitely precious in God’s eyes. So who God sees when God sees us is someone who is worth all that God is worth because we are by the generosity of God as precious as God is precious. We are put on the earth endowed with a human nature capable of recognizing that preciousness, capable of saying “yes” to it, and of treating others and self in loving ways. But through our life and all that happens to us the nature of our self finds itself in a wounded or compromised position which is the human condition.”
Because of our innate preciousness to God, God meets us with Love at these fragile, wounded parts of ourselves quicker anywhere else. “A bruised reed I will not snuff out.”
Somatic Prayer provides a space where our fragility surfaces along with God’s Infinite Love with the potential to experience that Love’s healing touch.