Sacred or Sinful? Thoughts on the body and some resources

Growing up in the Southern Baptist Church in the 80s and 90s, I was surrounded by a good amount of doctrine that encouraged deep shame and judgement around my body. 

“The desires of the flesh” were sinful, wrong and bad, of course. Our community didn't openly discourage dancing, but it wasn't exactly encouraged either. Regardless, I got the message - and I didn't like it. 

And sometimes, it wasn't so much what was said, but what was left unsaid that created the most confusion and dissonance.

I was always drawn to the body. I was an active swimmer, dancer, and kinesthetic learner. I loved and craved movement and touch. It's no surprise I became a “bodyworker” and have since worked with hundreds of bodies- molding, squeezing and releasing flesh in my hands day after day, year after year.

And as I came to love the healing arts - this deep appreciation and wonder of the body emerged, along with more tension between what I had learned growing up and where I felt led. 

How could a body be wise, holy and sacred if it's also sinful, wrong and bad? 

How do we know which part we're listening to?  

What are the rules here? 

I don't blame my church family, my parents, or my pastor for the conditioning that led to a personal rebellion that harmed myself and others in my wake. They were simply teaching what they had been taught, attempting to guide all of us kids towards the light.

And I don't profess to know all of the answers, but I have discovered my truth- a truth I've been seeking ever since I started questioning the doctrine that we must "overcome our flesh"-

Our bodies are deeply wise, holy and sacred- no matter what.

These days, I choose to spend my time nourishing my connection to the divine through my connection to my body. Rather than attempt to ascend above, I go deeper within- into the wisdom of my body, my roots, my flesh, my bones, my heart, my womb. 

And whether through bodywork, sound healing, or my specialized approach to guiding women into sacred self-leadership and wisdom through the body- this is what I'm here to do and be in the world.

I've compiled some resources for you if you're on your own journey to relating to your body and life in a new, more sacred way. 

Check them out here →