Healing the Spirit: an autoethnographic research of survival through transmutation

Healing the Spirit: an autoethnographic research of survival through transmutation

Healing the Spirit an autoethnographic research of transformation and survival Liberation is the act of setting free from internal and social oppression (Afuape, 2011). In 2019, it was the Liberation Trail fire that raged through our place, turning the living essence of our livelihood, and belonging to dust. The dust had barely settled when the torrential rains drenched the remains, weeping over the ashes. These ashes were not just of things, houses, furniture, but also trees, ferns, and animals of all sizes. Next, it was isolation and fear that arose from the ashes in the form of Coronavirus (COVID-19 virus). Isolating people from the natural environment and each other.

Through these transmutations, we relied upon the resilient nature of the human spirit to survive. This autoethnographic story explores human resilience in the face of personal and global loss. The power of storytelling is an ancient tradition, stemming from a human need to make meaning of the lived experience. Each person who tells a story speaks from their ‘biographical position’ and is unique as the storyteller (Denzin, 2014). Stories, or narratives, assisted in the survival of cultures by retelling warnings of potential threats. They are intrinsic to all cultures, whether they are written or verbal. The act of storytelling can impart a metaphysical presence that can provide a sense of spirituality in the communication process (Snyder & Lindquist, 2006; Uys, 2014). Storytelling has been described as an expression of human consciousness and, as such, can guide the person towards healing the spirit and liberating from trauma (Carter, 2019).

Virtual conference.