I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe that not only is trauma curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening--a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation.
The number one deterrent from the pursuit of self-awareness is hidden trauma. Instinctively, we avoid uncovering it and will do just about anything to leave it hidden. I’ve been learning and reading so much about trauma over the last two years.
The effects of trauma on our society have been enormous from an individual’s ability to thrive and achieve their goals to our communities being impacted by racial injustice, gender and sexuality violence, and the division we have experienced over the pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, our awareness of trauma is growing, as is our knowledge of how we can navigate it and heal from it. Below I have shared what I have been reading and hearing, as well as a meditation to help you explore your own emotions.
What I'm Reading on Trauma and Self Awareness...
I’ve said this many times and it continues to be true, our society doesn’t like emotions. We don’t make room for them in ourselves or for the people around us. This has resulted in us having a diminished vocabulary and as Brené Brown points out limited emotional expression.
Did you know that nostalgia was originally a diagnosis in the DSM? I didn’t know this. I also learned the true definition of jealousy, I’ve been using it wrong all this time. I’m not done with this book but can’t wait to learn more.
Atlas of the Heart is an exploration of the emotional human experience. Understanding what we are feeling helps us know how to care for ourselves and our people. But most importantly, it helps us live a fuller and more interesting life.
What I've Been Listening to on Trauma and Self Awareness...
Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic
Paul Conti — October 12, 2021
A great conversation about how trauma is commonly in the mix these days as we navigate our daily lives. People we interact with at work, driving home, our friends, so many places. I enjoyed the simple tools shared and the encouragement to look for trauma as we interact with our people.
Trauma doesn’t just affect our minds and emotions, it lives in our bodies making us feel unsafe and can lead to a variety of medical conditions. In fact, for so many of us, it is through medical issues that we begin to realize we have experienced something traumatic. The mind/body is made to accommodate us and keep us going but it has a limit to what it can process before the body and mind begins to break down.
And of course, as always there is the inherited trauma of our ancestors that is passed down through epigenetics and present in us. Ancestral trauma is confusing because we didn’t experience the original trauma, we don’t know where our anxiety and fear have come from. Explore this discussion of trauma.
What I'm Sharing on Trauma and Self Awareness...
Mind-Body Attunement Using the 5 Portals Meditation
This is a tool I use and offer to my clients for exploring their emotions. A guided body scan meditation created by Dr. Mario Martinez, intended to bring your mind and body into attunement. We often get disconnected from our bodies and our emotions spending too much time in the rational mind. This process brings awareness of the body and emotions to the conscious mind in a safe and manageable container.
