Today we change our bodies in many ways as has been done throughout history, piercing, tattoos, hair colouring, hair straightening, cosmetic surgery etc. Is this a form of self-harming?
Most people would say no but if we then look to other cultures a different picture emerges. In Aboriginal cultures self-injury carries a very different symbolic meaning. Self-wounding at times of sorrow i.e. bereavement, was a way of releasing the pain of emotion from being trapped in the mind or body and brought it into the physical level. Wounding also allows spirit energy to enter the body and force out or replace inner darkness.
These wounds could be deep and the remaining scar a permanent physical expression in memory of the deceased. Is this so very different from what we consider self-harming, to be a way of coping with inner pain and anguish. A way of release. The difference in our cultures is that the Aborigines see their cuts as a display of inner strength and courage, in our culture it is treated with fear and misunderstanding and so often done secretly and kept hidden.
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