PRAYING THROUGH EMBODIED DRAWING
How Tractio Divina may Transform Trauma
Tractio Divina may overcome the challenges of trauma and transform it in the following ways.
Establishes a Safe Connection to Body that Benefits Interoception
The practice of Tractio Divina – either on its own or combined with Lectio Divina – can empower those who are suffering with trauma to meet God in their traumatised body. Initially, this process takes place through lectio divina as the person immerses themselves within a scripture story and lives into it with their senses and imagination. It is expanded through the practice of tractio divina that allows us to draw out on paper gently and prayerfully the images and sensations that our body is holding. By engaging in this process, we can learn to safely connect with our body and God. We discover that we can tolerate and befriend the sensations in our body without being overwhelmed by them.
Facilitates 'Staying' in a Traumatised Body
Embodiment of trauma through somatic experiencing can be terrifying for survivors and is the reason why survivors can feel unsafe inside their body. Many survivors are unable to stay in their body without being overwhelmed by the senses it experiences and the emotional numbing that shuts down all experience. The practice of Tractio Divina may assist us to “stay” in our traumatised body instead of dissociating which involves disconnection from parts of my body or being almost absent. As we sense and imagine what is rising up within, take hold of crayons in hand (paint brush, pencils, pens, textas, chalks, etc) and begin to draw out on paper what we are experiencing within, we are empowered to stay in our body and prayerfully engage with our trauma.
Aids to Release the Frozen Energy of Trauma
Dr Peter Levine's research suggests that trauma is transformed and integrated when excess frozen trauma energy is released after a “freeze” response. This can happen when we return repeatedly to the bodily sensations and bit by bit touch on the stress-associated sensations. This process is referred to as titration and enables “biological completion” by unfreezing the instinctive survival energy that was not available at the time of the traumatic event. In turn, trauma is transformed.
Tractio divina has the potential to “unfreeze” the frozen energy of trauma through a dual process of physical and spiritual traction. Physical traction is created by the adhesive connection of one’s hand gripping the crayon and moving it on paper. As this physical traction occurs, we draw out “bit by bit” on paper what is in our traumatised body. Simultaneously, a spiritual traction occurs whereby God’s grace – through the Holy Spirit - moves within me shifting what is “stuck,” loosening what is bound, and lifting-up what is crushing/burdening me. Both traction processes occurring simultaneously lead to titration as stress-associated sensations are accessed. This enables the unfreezing of “frozen trauma energy” which lends to “biological completion” and transformation of trauma. The process is further enriched through the combination of grace that flows from God’s Word and the movement of a “backwards and forwards” dialogue with God. This leads to a deeper personal knowledge of God.
Assists Regulation of the CNS
Regulating the CNS means that it is normalised and returns to equilibriums and balance. This is an important factor to avoid traumatisation. Practicing Tractio Divina when trauma is activated can be deeply calming, soothing, and transformative. Consequently, tractio divina can return the CNS to equilibrium and balance.
Other ways that trauma may be transformed through Tractio Divina:
- Reactivation of our self-sensing system.
- Empowers us with a language enabling us to communicate our feelings and story, and assists us to understand internal processes
- Facilitates post-trauma witnessing
- Facilitates “Parts” work with trauma
- Facilitates post-traumatic growth and resilience
Useful resources for survivors of sexual abuse trauma that may be used with the practice of Tractio Divina.
Child, Arise! - The Courage to Stand
Come Forward! - Bold Enough to Heal
