More still on trauma

Reading yet another book on trauma, I'm looking at it from another direction, still. The author mentions that according to Buddhist teachings, suffering is a path to enlightenment. As he points out, to embrace trauma is an opportunity to discover spiritual aspects of the self that otherwise would never have been encountered. And, as he says, so many people choose to avoid the processing of traumatic events by anaesthetising themselves with drugs and self medication, rather than seeing it as a unique gift.

For some time I've wanted to be more positive about the traumatic experiences I've had in my life, and I really do now feel that I'm at a place where I can appreciate the lessons they've given me.

Disconnection is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of trauma. Others describe it as powerlessness, which is essentially the same. Learning to reconnect with the self, and the with the outer world, enables the traumatized person to fully appreciate and be present to the universe in ways that he or she might never have done otherwise.

In that respect, the process of being traumatized is akin to a new conception, spiritual fetal stage, and rebirth. I'm certainly beginning to see things that way now.

Reading The Artist's Way again, Julia Cameron mentions how paying attention is so tied into being sane and healthy and present. Paying attention to not juut the external world, but internal processes, is what makes us present. Being present makes us more connected with the universe and able to cope. This is where meditation is so important and powerful.

I think I'm off to the coast for a couple of days, to sun it by the sea. Sleep on the beach tonight, if I can, and have a swim under the waxing moon.

Being present...

Hmmm.

This has got me thinking.