Season 1 Episode 7: (Re)Figuring Resurrection

In this episode, our guest lecturer, Dr. Victoria Houser, will invite us to think toward resurrection through writing the body. Be prepared to take moments to pause and write throughout this episode.

[01:17] You can find Dr. Houser’s slide deck here. The slides include the quotes she reads from Hélène Cixous, Melissa Febos, and others. 

[01:55] Writing Prompt #1: Do you see yourself as a writer? How do we embody this identity of writers?

[04:50] Reflect for yourself: How do we write about the pain we want to keep, the wounds that stay with our bodies, even in the process of healing? Is resurrection a healing event?

[06:00] Reflect for yourself: How do we write about the wounds that keep us tethered to our bodies, to our death and resurrection, to the joy that we experience when we are able to throw ourselves into the deep color of night that surround these wounds?

[19:34] Writing Prompt #2: First, close your eyes and take a few grounding breaths. Let yourself find calm for a few moments. Now, place your hand where you are most in your body (your shoulder, your knee, belly, head, heart, neck, and so on). Hold it here. What story or memory from your life are you holding here? Hold this image in mind. Imagine that something in this story or memory wants to be unburied now. It could be something heavy, it could be something light, too. Whatever it is, we are going to write it to the surface. 

[21:16] This music lasts for about 5 minutes, giving you as much time to write. Feel free to pause for more time or skip to [26:06] and come back when you are able to take time to write. 

(Music from Epidemic Sound)