Relação entre cenestesia e percepção de Si mesmo a partir da fenomenologia: narrativas da corporeidade humana

Abstract

This study has focused on understanding the relation between cenesthesia and perception of oneself starting from the principle of phenomenology, through the integrative experience of Biodanza carried out with scholars at the Public University of Rio de Janeiro. Cenesthesia is a human corporeity phenomenon, actually there are few limited scientific studies throughout the hermeneutics of the body, a concept undeniably inherent to medicine. Thus, this phenomenonis characterized by an overall internal feeling, in other words, an organic inner-body sensation reflecting an endogenous state of well- being or distress. To a greater extend, this concept represents a link for a body-soul relation, an evidence of existence, furthermore, perception of existence itself. At the other end of this relationship we find sense of self perception , destination of this journey through human corporeity where oneself is understood as a personal construct of interaction with others ,with culture and as product of narrative. In this regard, this research provided legitimate relevance to this phenomenon, revealing a semanticunrest between cenesthesia and two other homophonous words, kinesthesia and synesthesia, endorsing a more in-depth study, essential for its understanding within the philosophical and psychological context. Contributed to the research, five scholars over 18 years of age attending different programs engaged in Biodanza workshops. Among the participants, three college students declared certain physical disabilities: one with cochlear implant due to hearing loss and two others with visual impairment (one with low vision). Supported by methodological triangulation, we worked with the participant`s personal statement, direct and external observation for data collection and a narrative analysis for a better understanding. Based on a corporeity experience through Biodanza, a phenomenological approach proved to be the appropriate methodology to study this phenomenon. Data analysis was carried out in the following categories: 1) Cenesthesia within perception of its very existence; 2) Own body: pathway to corporeity and cenesthesia; 3) Narratives focusing on cenesthesia and self perception. The first category attempted to identify, among the narratives, feelings and emotions attributed to cenesthesia, as well as pointing out this phenomenon as an element of corporeity. The second category compiled narratives and knowledge concerning dissociation body-man-world and its relationship with body self-perception. The third category brought together narratives that identified introspective experience as a gateway to the cenesthesia phenomenon and to the sense of oneself, that might be stimulated by external and internal factors. Analysis of data by phenomenological means found that relationship between cenesthesia and self-perception emerged with narratives expressed throughout the dynamics of Biodanza enabling us to conclude that cenesthesia is a subjective corporeal experience conceived as an internal process stimulating person perception, of the world and of oneself.