"To be truly liberated, we must confront the parts of ourselves that are in a hidden alliance with the systems that seek to destroy us." - Cole Arthur Riley

For centuries, Western culture has been shaped by a theory that has deeply affected how we view ourselves, our bodies and our capacity for sovereignty. This theory is rooted in the 17th-century philosophy of René Descartes, a French philosopher whose ideas about the separation of mind and body have had a lasting - and problematic - impact on the way we understand our own embodiment.

As womxn on a journey of somatic sovereignty, it’s important to understand the historical forces that have contributed to the disconnection many of us feel between mind and body. Descartes' theory is one such force, and unpacking its influence is a critical step in reclaiming the sacred interconnectedness that has always been ours.

Descartes and the Mind-Body Split

René Descartes is perhaps best known for his famous declaration, "Cogito, ergo sum"—"I think, therefore I am". This statement encapsulates Descartes' belief that the mind, the seat of rational thought, is the essence of human identity. In his philosophy, the body was regarded as a separate, inferior entity—a mere machine that could be studied, manipulated and controlled, but which had little to do with our true nature.

This stark division between mind and body—often called Cartesian Dualism—set the stage for a worldview in which reason and intellect were elevated, while the body and its sensations were seen as untrustworthy, base or even sinful. In this framework, the mind was associated with the masculine principles (also known as 'yang' or 'shiva') of logic, action, linear, structure and directness, while the body was linked to the feminine principles (also known as 'yin', or 'shakti') of emotion, wholism, creativity, intuition, metaphor and receptivity.

The Patriarchal Roots of the Mind-Body Split

It’s no coincidence that Descartes’ philosophy emerged within a patriarchal society. His ideas fit neatly into a system that already valued male-coded traits like reason, discipline and authority, while devaluing female-coded traits like intuition, emotion and bodily wisdom.

Historically, womxn’s bodies were seen as something to be controlled, both by men and by societal norms. Womxn's reproductive systems were often framed as unstable, their emotions as excessive and their wisdom as suspect. Descartes’ theory gave philosophical backing to this patriarchal view, reinforcing the idea that our bodies - and by extension, womxn - were something to be mastered and subdued.

This division has contributed to a long-standing cultural distrust of the body, particularly in womxn. It has fueled narratives that prioritize intellectual achievement over embodied experience, that teach us to disconnect from our physical sensations and that frame our emotions as irrational or dangerous.

The Consequences of the Cartesian Legacy

The consequences of this mind-body split are profound, especially for womxn. Many of us have been conditioned to value mental productivity over bodily presence, to suppress our emotions in favour of rationality and to mistrust the natural wisdom of our bodies. In a world that prizes control, we are often taught to see our bodies as obstacles to overcome, rather than sacred sources of wisdom.

This disconnection manifests in various ways, including:
- Body Dissociation: Feeling detached from your own physical self, as if your mind is disconnected from your body’s sensations.
- Burnout and Overwork: Pushing the body beyond its limits, believing that productivity and mental achievement are more valuable than rest and self-care.
- Emotional Suppression: Silencing or dismissing your emotions in favour of appearing “logical” or “reasonable,” especially in male-dominated spaces.

For many womxn, the Cartesian mindset has led to a deep sense of alienation from the body — a sense that the body is a burden or an enemy, rather than a trusted ally.

Reclaiming Somatic Sovereignty: The Mind-Body Reconnection

In the somatic sovereignty journey, we seek to undo the harm caused by this patriarchal, Cartesian worldview. We understand that mind and body are not separate, but deeply intertwined. Our bodies carry intelligence, wisdom and power. They are the vessels through which we experience life and connect with others and they hold the key to our sovereignty.

Science is now catching up with what many ancient and indigenous cultures have always known: the mind and body are in constant dialogue, with each influencing the other. Our nervous systems, emotions and physical sensations are inseparable from our thoughts, beliefs and experiences. This is the very foundation of somatic practices that help us re-establish the mind-body connection.

Moving Beyond Descartes: A Somatic Approach

One of the ways we reclaim our sovereignty is by consciously re-embodying ourselves — learning to trust and listen to our bodies once again. By engaging in somatic practices, we can dismantle the harmful legacies of Cartesian dualism and restore the natural interconnectedness of mind and body.

Here are a few ways to begin this process:
- Body Awareness: Spend time each day simply noticing the sensations in your body. How does your body feel right now? Where are there areas of tension or ease? Developing this awareness helps you attune to the messages your body is constantly sending you.

- Emotional Integration: Rather than dismissing or rationalizing your emotions, explore how they show up in your body. What does anger feel like in your body? Sadness? Joy? Allowing yourself to feel your emotions in a somatic way reconnects you with your body’s wisdom.

- Somatic Practices: Engage in body-centered practices like yoga, NeuroAffective Touch®️, Somatic Experiencing®️, Sandplay Therapy or Lomilomi Massage, which invite the body and mind to heal in unison. In these modalities, you are not asked to silence your body’s sensations or emotions; instead, you are encouraged to listen deeply to what your body is communicating.

Through these practices, we can begin to unravel the harmful effects of the mind-body split and reestablish a more holistic, embodied way of being.

Reclaiming Our Sovereignty

René Descartes’ mind-body split has had far-reaching effects on how we understand ourselves and our relationship to the world. But as womxn reclaiming our somatic sovereignty, we have the power to challenge this outdated, patriarchal view and embrace the truth of our interconnectedness.

Your body is not something to be mastered or controlled. It is a sacred partner in your journey — a source of wisdom, intuition and power. By reconnecting with your body, you are reclaiming a piece of your sovereignty that has long been denied. Let us continue to undo the legacy of Cartesian dualism and embrace the fullness of our embodied, interconnected selves.

In sisterhood and sovereignty,