Embryo As Person: As in the Womb, So in the World
Findings in the field of pre- and perinatal psychology reveal that, even as little embryos, we are having experiences, and that the nature of these experiences profoundly affects how we live our lives. Our earliest days establish lifelong tendencies influencing how we
connect with ourselves, each other, and our planet.
This paper presentation examines the intersection of embryo and psyche, how development of one relates to the development of the other. Evidence of cellular intelligence, memory and learning is offered as a foundation for understanding the profound effects of very early experience. Specific developmental milestones of conception, implantation, and discovery will be considered in relation to their psychological effects, underlining the importance of treating the embryo as a sentient, sensitive human being.
It is proposed that supporting new parents from the time of pre-conception on, providing a welcoming, safe, loving environment for their baby contributes to a world characterized by these qualities.
THE KEY MESSAGES
• We are human, persons, from the time of conception on.
• This includes being sentient, responsive beings.
• We can understand very early intelligence, memory, and learning if we consider cells’ responsiveness to their environment.
• Embryos pass through several important developmental milestones generating lifelong tendencies for body and psyche, and influence all our relationships, including with ourselves, each other, and the planet.
• Based on this understanding, we can heal our own early traumas and treat those beings coming into life in ways that support embodying their full human potential for loving, peaceful, harmonious living.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE SPEAKER
NAME: CHERIONNA MENZAM-SILLS
AFFILIATION: BIRTHING YOUR LIFE, UK
Cherionna Menzam-Sills has been a somatic psychotherapist and prenatal and birth therapist since the 90s. She is also a Biodynamic Craniosacral therapist and teacher and has her PhD in Pre- and Perinatal Psychology.
She has studied and worked extensively with pioneering leaders in the field, Drs. William Emerson and Ray Castellino, and has taught graduate students in Somatic Psychology and Prenatal and Birth Psychology at Naropa University and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute in the USA, as well being senior tutor at Karuna Institute in the UK.
She is also informed by additional training and experience in occupational therapy, Body-Mind Psychotherapy, authentic movement, Vipassana mediation and many forms of bodywork and massage. Authorised by founder Emilie Conrad in 2007 to teach Continuum, she teaches this mindful movement practice, which facilitates moving beyond conditioned form by accessing deeper embryological potential and fluidity.
She has authored two books, Spirit into Form: Exploring Embryological Potential and Prenatal Psychology, and The Breath of Life: An Introduction to Craniosacral Biodynamics, as well contributing chapters to Womb to Thrive: The Missing Keys to Heal
Yourself, Your Family and the Planet.