The Fractal Effect
A reflection from my first year of grad school pulled from some of my course work. How we keep moving and holding hope during times that seem impending and uncertain.
Through research and participation in my first year of the Master’s program, I discovered a recurring theme that runs through my thoughts, and I imagine confounds many students and professors alike in the Mind-Body program:
Mind-body tools are simple and rooted in long-standing traditions,
but how do we shift at a national or even global level from the perpetuation of modern, pharma-reliant practices in an era of hyper-capitalistic and corporate systems?
While there has seemingly been a rise in holistic solutions to chronic problems, much of the culture is also entrenched in a patriotism that perpetuates systems of hyper-consumption and inaccessibility for lower-income communities. For example, the rise of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement is a badge of pride for the battle on food dyes. However, it neglects to advocate for food equity programs, lower costs for whole foods, or even a healthy relationship with life-saving technologies such as vaccines, which have been proven to improve collective health across the board.
I find myself often pondering what all this effort is for, as funding for research is stripped away, children are losing access to safe havens of health, and mind-body practices continue to be ousted by insurance companies and doctors alike.
However, there is always the glimmer that brings me back.
Hope for Mind Body Practices
In the book "The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self" (2021), Martha Beck describes living in integrity with oneself as creating a fractal of integrity. As one follows their integrity, living in honesty, transparency, and meaningful action, their energy exists as a fractal that radiates from this level of consciousness and action to those surrounding them.
As those surrounding them seek their path to integrity, they reflect on those around them.
Similar to the idea that a rising tide raises all ships.
This model of thinking is incredibly uplifting and meaningful as an aspiring mind-body-spirit practitioner. As I pursue, study, and encourage the integration of practices such as breathwork, yoga, and expressive writing within my own life, I begin to help those around me do the same, and it goes beyond just theory.
I have personally witnessed my letter-writing technique help other people through breakups and loss. I have had yoga students moved to tears of both joy and release in class. I have seen how a calming breath can change the tide and help a child build up the courage to keep going as they attempt to climb down the wall during a rock-climbing practice.
These tools have tenfold impacted my grounded and intentional presence. So, while the pain we feel as a collective and as the days move forward into more of the unknown, I return to being a fractal, a reflection. Coming back to class to learn, research, and explore, knowing that if I can leave just a handful of people with more resources than they started, it is all worth it.
Inspired by the work of Ginwright (2018), shifting focus from trauma to healing is critical for the next wave of care. To understand that it is not simply the absence of misery that makes meaningful change, but rather the combination of hope and purpose, people are inspired to continue moving forward (Ginwright, 2018).
Ginwright, S. (2018, May 31). The future of healing: Shifting from trauma-informed care to healing centered engagement. Medium. https://ginwright.medium.com/the-future-of-healing-shifting-from-trauma-informed-care-to-healing-centered-engagement-634f557ce69c
Beautiful read!