Fruit of the Contemplative Life
Fruit of the contemplative life: => Spiritual Crisis => : KriyaYogi March 11, 2023, 07:18:31 AM
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What benefits have you all recieved from discussing personal traumas? What is the role in the healing process?
For me I personally don't know if its even possible to convey all the personal details of my experiences. I expect it is
similar for others with whatever their process is. That said, what is most healing to discuss, with whom should it be discussed? A peer group, or a personal counciler? Are there references in historical Buddhist or other literature that discuss counciling on the dark night?
-David
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What benefits have you all recieved from discussing personal traumas? What is the role in the healing process?
I find that sharing personal traumas has connected me with others who have similar experiences in life. I've worked in intense trauma therapy, spent over a year in a weekly men's group, talked with close friends and loved ones, and now the forum here. Widening my perspective in this way has been very healing, very grounding, very life-affirming. Connecting with others in a deep and safe way is a form of alchemy, in my opinion.
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Well said, Michael.
David, I really don't see discussing trauma as a vehicle for dealing with personal trauma present in any of the literature of mysticism, whether that is in the Pali Canon, or the writing of the other mystics, such as: Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross. And, when we examine western psychology which is all about talk therapy for dealing with trauma, we don't see any mysticism. And, Teresa of Avila's grandfather was burned at the stake for secretly practicing Jewish mysticism, and she was dumped into a convent to prove her family were good Catholics, so she surely had some trauma to deal with. Also, John of the Cross was a moor who grew up in an orphanage post reconquest, so you can bet he had some serious trauma to deal with. So, while I think some amount of recognition that many mystics were dealing with some serious trauma, as some of us here are, then that is a good thing, but the core principle here is by leading a rigorous, self-aware, contemplative life we can leave the trauma behind and refuge in this contemplative life from our respective experiences of trauma.
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the core principle here is by leading a rigorous, self-aware, contemplative life we can leave the trauma behind and refuge in this contemplative life from our respective experiences of trauma.
This.
With the Sangha being one of the Three Jewels, I'm reminded that it is fellowship with other seekers (contemplatives, monks, humans) that provides the mirror required to stay on course. Perhaps it's not true for everyone, but given my "station" along the path, it's true for me. Jeffrey and others keep my perspective clear and mutable.
Maintaining skillful daily practice is my responsibility, alone.
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What benefits have you all recieved from discussing personal traumas? What is the role
We all have trauma. Trauma is the vehicle. All you have to do is get in the car ;D