Cultural Sensitivity, what is ours to practice?

Since I first studied and received a Closing the Bones Ceremony during my Innate Postpartum training with Rachelle Garcia of Innate Traditions (www.innatetraditions.com) in 2017, something awakened in me. I had never heard of this ritual prior to my training yet it made so much sense. I felt a resonance and familiarity with these traditional postpartum practices, and something felt right and true within me to practice this ritual that is used across the globe. Becoming exposed to Closing the Bones has encouraged me to delve deeper into my own ancestry as well-read more further.

Cultural sensitivity is a delicate topic during these times of global distribution of knowledge as well as widespread systemic oppression and racial injustice. I don’t call my cocooning ritual Closing the Bones anymore because I do not follow all of the specific traditions and steps that some may associate with the term Closing the Bones. Rather than claim something that it is not, I am making a distinction between my offering.

In offering this ritual, I honor the teachings passed on from my mentor Rachelle Garcia via Clara Alfaro Peña from Pachuca, Mexico. I make mention of Closing the Bones as one of the foundational pieces of Cocooning. I make it clear what aspects of my offerings are my personal unique touches distinct from the traditions from which I have learned. I always call in my teachers and acknowledge the people that have come before me. I invite my clients to honor their ancestors and lineages too.

Cross-Cultural Practices

I can do my best to honor the lineage from which I studied as well as illustrate that this ritual does not belong to one culture- see previous blog post. Many traditions throughout the world have and continue to practice similar binding processes post-birth. Combined with my understanding of the soothing aspects of deep pressure therapy (see blog post here), this medicine feels important to bring to at a time when people need to get out of their heads and more into their bodies. 

CREATING A CULTURE OF RECIPROCITY

Finally, as a person who carries some indigenous blood and also has benefitted from society by being born into a predominately European white body, I feel it is important to walk the balance of honoring the lineages from which I am taught, and also bring generosity and reparations to those in communities that have not been given as much privileges or advantages. By donating to Freedom Community Clinic-my work connects my clients to a form of reparations that I truly resonate with-offering free and low-cost healing to communities in need. I am open to feedback about how I can make my offerings feel as inclusive to all. If you are interested in donating to the generosity fund, please click here. 

Thank you for reading,

Maze