Spacious Body: Explorations in Somatic Ontology
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Jeffrey Maitland constructs a radical framework for understanding the living body, weaving together Buddhism, phenomenology, alchemy, and psychoanalysis with his deep expertise in Rolfing. He argues that true embodiment requires moving beyond intellectual abstraction to inhabit the flesh directly. By integrating somatic practice with philosophical inquiry, he offers a path to experiential knowledge that transcends dualistic thinking. This work is not merely theoretical; it is an invitation to feel the expansive nature of consciousness through physical awareness, challenging readers to discover a more authentic, grounded existence through the tangible reality of the flesh.
📝 Description: Spacious Body: Explorations in Somatic Ontology
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers seeking to transcend the rigid boundaries of dualistic thinking will find profound liberation in Maitland’s synthesis. Those engaged in deep somatic work, particularly Rolfing, or those exploring the esoteric roots of alchemy and Buddhism will appreciate his unique approach to embodiment. This book is ideal for philosophers and spiritual seekers who feel that intellectual abstraction has left them disconnected from their physical reality. It offers a vital pathway to experiential knowledge, inviting you to inhabit your flesh directly. If you are tired of theoretical detachment and crave a grounded, authentic existence through tangible awareness, this text provides the necessary framework to feel the expansive nature of consciousness within the body.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Maitland presents a radical, dense tapestry weaving alchemy, phenomenology, and Rolfing into a coherent argument for the 'spacious self.' While intellectually stimulating, it demands significant patience from readers accustomed to linear narratives or purely empirical science. It is not suited for those seeking quick fixes, light reading, or strictly materialist psychological models. The integration of esoteric alchemy with rigorous phenomenology may alienate secular audiences or those uncomfortable with metaphysical claims about the body. However, for the dedicated practitioner willing to engage deeply with its complex arguments, it offers a transformative perspective on embodiment that challenges conventional boundaries between mind and flesh.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Seekers of somatic philosophy, Rolfing practitioners, and those weary of Cartesian dualism who wish to bridge the gap between intellectual understanding and visceral, lived experience.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Somatic Ontology
Rolfing Integration
Phenomenological Embodiment
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Somatic Ontology
- Phenomenology
- Rolfing
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Where do you feel the boundary between your body and the external environment most sharply?
- How does your current understanding of 'self' change when viewed through the lens of alchemy?
- What assumptions about your physical form have been challenged by this reading?
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🏛 Books from this publisher North Atlantic Books
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