Cultivating physical self-concept through deliberate refusal of shame narratives—whether about illegitimacy, sexuality, intellectual ambition, or non-compliance with prescribed roles.
Sor Juana was born illegitimate in a society where this marked her body with inherited shame. She was a woman claiming intellectual authority in a male domain—shameful. She remained unmarried, refused childbearing, pursued ideas instead of domesticity—shameful. Yet her writings reveal a remarkable refusal to internalize these shame narratives as truth about herself. She acknowledged her circumstances without accepting their devaluation of her worth. This concept invites practitioners to identify which shame narratives they have accepted about their bodies—narratives tied to appearance, sexuality, ambition, identity, or non-conformity—and to practice deliberate refusal. Shame is a tool of control, often deployed against those who claim agency or refuse prescribed roles. Physical self-concept rooted in Sor Juana's example means your body is not shameful simply because others judge it; you retain the right to define its value and meaning.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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