“Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere” Elie Wiesel, Night
Trauma affects all of us – individually, our systems, communities, and nations.. .
Concurrent with the viral pandemic, we are experiencing a trauma pandemic, according to Dr. Paul Conti. While the virus asks us to close down until we conquer the disease, trauma requires that we open up so we can heal.
It’s a paradox with two seeming opposites held together by the desire to reduce human suffering.
To heal trauma is to be transformed – not the person we were before the experience. To achieve that, we need to identify the trauma, let go of the lies it tells us, and rise to transform our life story.
I just finished reading Dr. Paul Conti’s book: trauma, the invisible epidemic – How Trauma Works and How We can Heal From it. It is informative, engaging, and full of practical tips.
Trauma is not only what happens to us, but it’s the negative things we decide about ourselves based on the experience. Trauma hijacks our limbic system and derails our thinking. Even years after the initial event, a trauma-related association can trigger a cascade of trauma-related thoughts.
Our thinking .can devolve into self-blame and a loop of self-disparaging thoughts. Those thoughts can become the soundtrack of our lives, unrecognizable as the voice of trauma and not our true selves.
But, healing is possible. We can identify our triggers, stop the loop of negative thoughts, and go home to our true selves..
According to Conti, “The part of the trauma story we too often ignore involves changes to our brain biology and psychology, and the reason we ignore these effects is because trauma itself prevents us from seeing these changes and how their consequences play out in our lives.” That makes it tricky. We end up acting in ways that do not support our own best interests.
I know something personally about healing from trauma. About fifteen years ago, motivated by both biological and psychological symptoms, I engaged in a healing journey including a systematic examination of my thoughts. When my efforts paid off, I had rewritten my life’s narrative, had a manuscript for my book, Unpacking Guilt, A Mother’s Journey to Freedom, and enough courage and confidence to open an early childhood center. I was transformed!
It takes humanity to identify trauma, rewire our thinking, and to heal. One of the methods I use when triggered, is to write, but if when happens in the middle of the night, I call upon my inner parent to soothe and comfort my inner child. It flips the narrative of inner conflict and negativity to one of cooperation, compassion, and care. I become the patient and the healer.
Recently, I was reminded that the body never lies. It carries the truth of our existence, our thoughts, memories, and feelings, known or unknown to us, even while trauma may be feeding us lies.
To address trauma, Conti speaks of the healing power of compassion, community, and humanity. We need to garner those resources. He suggests patience in the process and wisdom as the outcome. The reward of wisdom is worth waiting for.
According to Rudolf Steiner, “wisdom is crystallized suffering”.
Currently, I am experiencing symptoms of a rash and fatigue, not unlike the episode of fifteen years ago. Instead of pushing forward, I am listening to my inner voice telling me:
“Hold on. Take care. Release the trauma. Lighten your load. Free yourself.
Then you will have the power to do what you want to do and to show others how to do the same.
When you do the work of healing yourself, you will be ready.”
So now I am taking care of myself. I am reading, writing, and waiting. for healing and the golden nugget of wisdom that I know is on its way.
“Trauma affects all of us and its consequences are dramatic and real. I find it hard to imagine an enemy more dangerous than one that’s so damaging while also being so hard to see. Trauma makes us conflicted about who we are, what we deserve, and what we’re capable of achieving. By altering our brains, trauma changes the filters we use to perceive the world and makes it difficult to see ourselves and others with clarity. For all of these reasons and more, we must bring trauma to light. We can’t allow it to be invisible any longer.” – Conti
That’s why I am shining a light on trauma. We so need the wisdom that comes from healing. When enough individuals heal, society will heal, too..
And the pandemic of trauma will end.
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