Resurrection After Rape Community Group
Discussion, question-and-answer, general social support, and journal processing for progress-oriented rape survivors. No crisis, no damaging or triggering conflicts--this is for individuals who want to contribute to collective, cooperative action toward the goal of making actual PROGRESS through rape trauma. Much of this work is based on the book "Resurrection After...
What are your favorite symbols that represent sacredness and/or healing? What do those symbols mean to you, and how did you come to choose them?
its a long story lol
A tree is connected to the Earth by the roots. These roots are very unassuming, hardly ever visible, but are so vital to the trees survival. These roots are like the work each of us does to heal. Our work is not usually visible, for most of it we have to do within ourselves. A shallow root system is often a sign that the tree has never had to reach deep within the Earth for water, never really working for this nutrient to sustain it. If we have a shallow root system, our healing will be shallow too, a "bandage" or a quick fix, never looking deep within ourselves, in the dark corners of our minds, never challenging old beliefs, just being content to quickly fix the problem at hand, never getting to the origin of it. We need a healthy set of roots, that run deep, that help anchor us in storms, that nurture us, and care for us.
The trunk of the tree is the main support of the tree. When a young sapling is tested by wind, or weather, it may bend, it may be buffeted on all sides, but it becomes stronger. If that sapling is supported, tied to stakes to make it grow straight, when it is tested by the winds, it will snap, it can not bend. Like the tree, if we are brought up to believe in only one way of thinking, we will snap, we will not be able to think of multiple solutions for lifes challenges. For a long time, I was that young tree that was not allowed to bend. My rapist said many things to me that night, I took them in, I believed them. I still do to some extent. It is only now, many years later am I able to see other solutions to these challenges. I am starting to allow myself to bend, to question what was said to me. I know I will be stronger in the end because of these challenges now.
The leaves are ever reaching, upwards towards the warm sun. There are hundreds if not more, on each tree, each one unique, all working towards a common goal. I think our support group of friends, family, and yes, even our therapists, are the leaves in our lives. Each member in our group offers us a unique perspective on life. Like the tree, we take what we need from each "leaf" , and let it nourish us. My support group offers me varying perspectives on my challenges. I listen to each, I take what will work for me, and I create a solution that is taken from the many ideas that were shared with me.
As the seasons change, so does the tree. The tree might be stationary, but it is never stagnant. As I work through my healing, I often will be challenged with a stuck point. I might work with this one point for weeks, or maybe even months. Just like the tree, I am always changing, always challenging myself, my beliefs and thoughts.
Happy flighing and take care all
Deb
http://www.birdsofcorpuschristi.com/albums/hawks/Harris_Hawk_Flying_Against.jpg
Is anyone here familiar with a "Mandala," or know what they mean?
Hawks, in Ojibway stories, are the bringers of medicine to injured warriors, and thus the "protector of survivors' spirits." They are also the creature that has the ability to find people who are living in a spiritual way and bless them. A good symbol.
As for a lotus...I believe the meaning there goes to ancient Asian cultures. I know that a lotus, at least the wild ones here (I have a photo of one from a lake nearby) have a really neat bit of factual info that can apply to healing. For instance, a lotus is an aquatic wildflower (my symbol for healing is actually coming up...and it is water). The fact that it is aquatic has it's own merit...water is imperitive for our lives, and for comfort, and for so many things. The plant itself is beautiful...and considered very hardy if the species in not a hybrid. (The hybrids tend to be weaker and die more easily). The base of the lotus is a tuber, and it grows in mud and muck on the water's bottom. The plants shoot up from the mud and find their way to the sunlight where, withing hours, the blooms will open. The leaves of the plant are often about 10" in diameter, unless the lotus is one of the realy grand varieties...can't think of the name right now, but there is one that has leaves a man can literally stand on, and they have edges that turn up all the way around the leaf. The plants mingle with one another and are very difficult to uproot...so, they are somewhat tenacious for having such tender roots. Often, the root will break before the plant can be dislodged from it's place in the mud. You cannot proliferate a lotus except that you have enough of the original tuber and stem....a piece will not do it. The flowers are very showy, but do not tend to be very fragrant, if at all. When a lotus is happy in it's surrounding, it will become quite invasive. It likes sunlight...lots of sunlight. It closes it's petals at night. As for how it is a symbol of healing, I can imagine alot of ties to healing, but am not sure of the original concept of it in regard to the lotus.
My idea of water being a symbol of healing has alot to do with medicine. Our bodies are made up of more water than anything else....like the earth...lots of water. Water is refreshing. It quenches us when we are parched, and is a life saving, life sustaining element. Water...at least all the bodies of water I live near has a grand beauty to it. Water commands respect. I like that one....it will take no less than our respect. I just like water...and the flow of it in the universal sense...how rivers run into seas....the ebb and flow of the tides...how the tides are in tune with the phases of the moon...water is centrally connected to life in every facet. Even trees need water. Yes, I suppose for me...water is my main symbol of healing.
In theory if you meditate with a focus on a specific chakra you can strengthen or heal. Example: 3rd Chakra is Manipura its located in the solar plexus and its element is fire. It is where will, self esteem and assertiveness are contained. If you are feeling you need to strengthen this chakra you can do specific yoga poses and meditations to create more confidence or to break inertia if you are feeling stagnated.
The symbol for manipura is complicated with lotus petals, triangles and colors each having a meaning....but I think you get the idea.