What inspired Lois P. Liggett to write Bone (& Body) Lessons: Culture, Measurement, and Language?
People seek connections between past, present, and future. I was inspired to write this book to make those connections. The subject of bones is a hot topic for several reasons. Climate change is exposing the bones of our ancient relatives and advancing the science of DNA research. Jars, caskets, and bags of body parts of indigenous peoples and parts deviating from the norm, still remain on the shelves of museums and universities with demands the body parts be returned to rightful heirs out of respect and religious beliefs.
Bones contain the elements of clay. Clay can be molded by the potter and thus be turned into another structure or form. The potter as a creative force can be characterized as God. Bones can be a symbol of resurrection of the dead. People have the ability to influence or mold the body, hence the “body builder”, to be ultimately remade into the image of the Creator. Much of our health statistics is based on measurement of bone.
The names of bones reflect form, function, and the way in which bones are regarded in various cultures. Understanding the function and design of the human body with the interface of language, mythology, religion, and spirituality, inspired Lois to write this book.
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One way to understand self is through the skeletal frame. Skeletal bones hold many secrets which can be unlocked to tell stories of humankind; they become lessons for life. This book provides four perspectives on bone: culture, measurement of bones and body postures, grammar, and bone names. Word roots and definitions related to bone vocabulary allow the reader to gain insight. A major theme is to know oneself-to develop self-awareness. What can a person learn about self from bones? This book accompanies each person on their quest to know themselves, whether or not on a conscious or subconscious level. The current popularity of DNA kits that are being sold today-as well as the many websites offering assistance to people delving into their ancestry-validate this. Whether it is to delve into possible hereditary health conditions or to locate relatives and forge a connectedness to others in the world around them, people want to learn more about themselves. Bones provide such framework, for body and self.
