Podcast Summary: We Can Do Hard Things - "Ways to Be More Present: Indigenous Wisdom from Kaitlin Curtice (Best Of)"
Introduction
In the episode titled "Ways to Be More Present: Indigenous Wisdom from Kaitlin Curtice (Best Of)," hosts Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle engage in a profound conversation with Caitlin Curtis, an award-winning author, poet, storyteller, and public speaker from the Potawatomi Nation. The discussion delves into the complexities of trauma, disembodiment, and the path toward healing through indigenous wisdom and embodiment practices.
Caitlin's Personal Journey and Childhood
Caitlin Curtis opens up about her challenging childhood marked by frequent relocations, poverty, and her parents' divorce when she was nine years old. Born in Oklahoma, she moved between Oklahoma and New Mexico before settling in a small, conservative town in Missouri. Despite the hardships, her family found solace in music, movies, and creativity, which became her early forms of coping.
Caitlin Curtis [03:27]: "When I was young, I learned how to balance a checkbook, but I never learned how to listen to my own body. I never learned how to engage with Mother Earth."
Impact of Trauma and Disembodiment
The conversation shifts to the concept of trauma and its effect on the body and identity. Caitlin describes how traumatic experiences, such as her parents' divorce, led to a sense of disembodiment—feeling disconnected from her own body and emotions. This disconnection is compounded by societal expectations and the pressures of assimilation, particularly within evangelical church environments.
Caitlin Curtis [06:54]: "My parents divorced. My dad moved to Oklahoma... It was like continual suffering and then severing and grasping at the same time."
Purity Culture and Its Effects
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on purity culture, its origins, and its lasting impact on individuals, especially indigenous women. Caitlin shares her personal experience with purity rings and the intense pressure to remain "pure," which led to further trauma and disconnection from her body.
Caitlin Curtis [10:46]: "Memorial hall in our town was the big building where our true love waits... I will not kiss anyone until I am ready to marry them."
Doctrine of Discovery and Colonization
Caitlin explains the historical framework of the Doctrine of Discovery—a papal decree that permitted European colonizers to seize indigenous lands under the guise of religious mission. This doctrine not only facilitated land theft but also enforced a harmful relationship with Mother Earth, leading to ongoing colonization and trauma.
Caitlin Curtis [15:14]: "The Doctrine of Discovery gave permission in the name of God to cut up the land, to separate the people from the land."
Embodiment and Healing
Embodiment emerges as a central theme in the conversation, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with one's body to achieve wholeness. Caitlin discusses her journey toward embodiment through practices like rock climbing, writing, and physical activities that ground her in the present moment.
Caitlin Curtis [43:50]: "Dealing with anxiety, struggling with that, struggling with all of these things, loving my child self... but to know, like, inside, at the core, at the root, we're still who we've always been."
Reconnecting with Mother Earth
The dialogue highlights the necessity of redefining our relationship with Mother Earth. Caitlin advocates for viewing the Earth as a living, breathing entity deserving of respect and reciprocity, rather than a commodity to be exploited.
Caitlin Curtis [18:11]: "What if you filled up a whole journal of letters to Mother Earth... it would change a lot in us."
Practical Tools and Strategies
Caitlin offers tangible methods to foster embodiment and presence, such as:
- Researching Colonization: Understanding historical injustices to inform healing processes.
- Connecting with Nature: Engaging in activities like bird watching, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors.
- Journaling: Writing letters to Mother Earth to cultivate a reciprocal relationship.
- Physical Activities: Utilizing exercise and hobbies that require full bodily engagement to ground oneself.
Caitlin Curtis [20:26]: "Any way of connection is connection. And it is a point of healing."
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a reflection on the interconnectedness of personal healing and broader societal changes. Caitlin emphasizes that healing is both a micro and macro process, requiring individual practices and systemic transformations. The hosts commend Caitlin for her insightful contributions and encourage listeners to engage with her work, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day.
Caitlin Curtis [56:54]: "This is lifelong work. You're not going to be healed in a week... keep doing the things. Because the best thing we can give the generations after us is that we understood that it doesn't end with us."
Notable Quotes
- Caitlin Curtis [06:54]: "When trauma enters, we exit our bodies, and that's disembodiment."
- Abby Wambach [09:57]: "The medicine becomes the disease."
- Caitlin Curtis [15:14]: "The Doctrine of Discovery gave permission in the name of God to cut up the land."
- Caitlin Curtis [43:50]: "Embodying is regaining what was lost so we can learn to be present again."
Key Takeaways
- Understanding Trauma: Trauma leads to disembodiment and a disconnection from self and environment.
- Purity Culture's Legacy: The pressures of purity culture contribute to long-term emotional and physical trauma.
- Historical Context: The Doctrine of Discovery is pivotal in understanding ongoing colonization and its impacts.
- Embodiment Practices: Engaging in physical activities and reconnecting with nature are essential for healing.
- Intergenerational Healing: Healing personal trauma contributes to broader societal transformation and benefits future generations.
This episode offers a deep exploration of how indigenous wisdom and the practice of embodiment can lead to a more present and connected life, despite the myriad of challenges faced.