The body knows: trauma and the body

I’ve posted several times now about Bessel van der Kolk’s work. Below are some quotes from his book ” The Body Keeps the Score,” that Laura K. Kerr selected. She is currently reading the book. I look forward to her writing on her thoughts about the book when she completes it. She writes wonderful posts on… Continue Reading →

My body is my meditation practice

There is a freedom, vast and beautiful, when one comes to know how insignificant ones importance in the world is. This while also deeply appreciating the great value that we all hold as well. *** If your heart is not open to yourself then your heart is not open. *** When we are resonant with… Continue Reading →

empathy, awareness of the body, SNRI withdrawal and self-inquiry…(collected brief thoughts on various things)

sometimes I feel as powerful as I feel helpless other times. I felt somewhat helpless when I first mused about the ridiculousness of academics and scientists thinking they’re onto something brand new when we’ve known some of this stuff for many years. Today I feel powerful BECAUSE I’ve known this stuff for so many years and I continue to heal. As I continue to heal what I know becomes embodied. …

Trauma and the body

Trauma that is held in the body over time freezes…the healing process requires defrosting…it can be painful…physically and emotionally. Their is no separation between body and mind. The body is mind, the mind is body. So what is done to the body is done to the mind and what is done to the mind is done to the body. It’s a vibrant, synergistic relationship of oneness.

The brain (body/mind) that heals itself

What happened to my brain and nervous system as a result of long-time psych drug use was that it’s capacity to feel shrunk –literally. I’m now growing new capacities…encouraging new neuropathways and pruning less than ideal ones. I can feel this happening. Really. Anyone can do this given the right circumstances…support and resources are needed. This is why I do the work I do. We are hurting people with neurotoxic drugs that impede growth and healing. At best all they do is suppress and control. …

Detoxification (which is really about balancing the internal ecosystem): healthy living for body/mind/spirit

We are, in large part, and among many other things, an expression of the ecosystem of our bodies which include bacteria, virus, fungi and other parasites. Successful “detoxification” is really largely about bringing these microorganisms and the rest of our being into balance since most of them cannot be gotten rid of entirely in any case. In many instances we don’t want to get rid of them as in the right amount they serve a good function. We are all made up of these things in different ratios by design, really.

Healing isn’t a choice for me — it’s an imperative; my body is in charge

Healing is not always curing. People need to understand that. In the end these bodies die. So don’t misunderstand when I say they know how to heal everything. Healing is not the same as curing. What is nice about profound healing, however, is that transformation of body/mind and spirit is possible in ways that most western modern human beings aren’t even aware is possible. …

Trust your body: learning to heal

“The important thing for you is to never give up and trust your body: your body knows what it needs at any moment. You need to develop a real connection with your body, to learn to listen to it and have a deep love and respect for it. Because it is your body that is doing the healing, not the diet or supplements or anything else!” …

Trauma can potentially impact the body and mind for life

Van der Kolk draws on 30 years of experience to argue powerfully that trauma is one of the West’s most urgent public health issues. The list of its effects is long: on mental and physical health, employment, education, crime, relationships, domestic or family abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction. “We all want to live in a world that is safe, manageable… predictable, and victims remind us that this is not always the case,” says van der Kolk. When no one wants to hear about a person’s trauma, it finds a way to manifest in their body. … [click on title to read and view more]

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑