Body of a Woman -A Shrine
Diana Shatish
In a world, increasingly obsessed with the physical appearance of a woman’s body, it’s easy to lose sight of the deeper connection between our bodies and our souls. While it’s essential to care for our physical health, it’s equally important to nourish our spiritual well-being. This article explores the delicate balance between a woman’s body and soul, emphasizing that the physical form needs to be treated with reverence and respect like a shrine and to not be its ultimate destination. Some cultures suggest that the metaphor of a shrine emphasizes the importance of self-care, bodily autonomy, and healthy boundaries.
The Body as a Temple
Many spiritual traditions view the human body as a sacred temple. It is said in the bible that “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” It is a complex and intricate mechanism, capable of extraordinary feats. From the miraculous process of digestion to the intricate network of nerves, the body is a marvel of God’s creation.
It’s crucial to remember that our bodies are not simply physical entities. They are intertwined with our minds and spirits. Neglecting one aspect can adversely affect the others. For instance, excessive focus on physical appearance can lead to low self-esteem, impacting mental and spiritual well-being.
Let’s go back in time and see what our ancient world says or have seen a woman’s body to be. There were many superstitions about a woman’s body in the ancient times and it’s quite shocking to hear that some of those beliefs are still in practice .
Menstruation has been shrouded in mystery and taboo for centuries. These taboos often stemmed from a lack of scientific understanding and were deeply ingrained in cultural and religious beliefs.
Many cultures still consider this natural cycle as uncleanliness ,impurity and even contamination . The women are isolated in the menstrual huts or separate rooms and are strictly prohibited from ceremonies, rituals, entering sacred places or even touching certain objects .
A strong emphasis on fertility, where women were often evaluated based on their ability to bear children .Childlessness was often stigmatized. It is believed that the shape of a woman’s body, especially her hips and breasts, was often linked to her fertility. Wide hips and full breasts meant fertility and desirability.
Childbirth on the other hand was often viewed as a perilous process, and women were considered vulnerable to supernatural forces during and after delivery. Many rituals and taboos surrounded childbirth to protect mother and child.
While some of these practices might seem strange or even harmful in the light of modern medical knowledge, it’s essential to understand the cultural and historical context in which they emerged. They were often born out of a desire to protect vulnerable women and infants from perceived dangers, both physical and spiritual.
A woman’s specific features such as long hair is considered as a source of power. Cutting hair could be seen as a loss of strength, could have emerged from the Biblical times and compels me to think of Samson from the bible who loses his strength and power when his hair gets cut.
Different cultures have varying beauty standards, but often, pale skin, large eyes, and long hair were considered attractive especially in India. Thankfully, there is a paradigm shift due to the Increasingly educated and exposed population, questioning the fairness obsession in contemporary times. People are prioritizing the aspects of beauty and personality over mere skin color.
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples, and the specific superstitions varied widely between cultures.These beliefs often had a significant impact on women’s lives, limiting their roles and opportunities. As our understanding of human biology and reproductive processes has grown, many of these superstitions have been discarded. However,some remnants of these old beliefs can still be found in certain cultures today.
The Soul’s Journey
While the human body is our earthly abode, the soul is our eternal essence. It is the part of us that seeks meaning, purpose, and connection. Spirituality provides a framework for understanding our place in the universe and cultivating inner peace. Finding balance between the body and the soul is crucial.. This means caring for the woman’s body without being obsessed with it and focussing on spiritual growth without neglecting the practicality involved in this earthly life.
The Simple Laws
Embrace your body, ignore social expectations, see the body as a tool of empowerment , foster mindful consumptions , tailor your very own body care routines, and learn a holistic approach to beauty because a woman’s body is a vessel for the soul that deserves love and attention. It is a SHRINE !
Some visuals to present these actualities
Cheriyal art is a traditional folk art form that originated in the Cheriyal village of Telangana and is known for its vibrant colors and intricate details. The colors used here are natural clay colors and stone colors. Cheriyal paintings are known for their narrative style, depicting stories from mythology, epics, and folk tales.
Here stories about women, their chores, and the power of woman are depicted to stabilize the society, and embracing their beauty in their own way.
The paintings are characterized by intricate details, including intricate borders and ornate designs. Cheriyal paintings are traditionally created on scrolls made of cloth or paper. These paintings are done on handmade paper with natural colors mixed with tamarind tree Gum and triple zero natural hair brushes
Ms. Diana is probably the only female Artist outside the Nakashi community to be practicing this Art with full commitment.
Diana Shatish is passionate educator, writer, Art therapist and Cheriyal Folk artist, with 24 years of experience in in the Field of Art Education. She currently works at KIDS central high Cambridge international school.
