User:Jondel/How to Heal Traumas

Waking the Tiger is a self-help book by Peter A. Levine which presents therapeutic advice for healing past traumas. The therapy presented in the book is based on the idea that the suffering we experience after trauma is primarily the overreactions of the nervous system. Levine's therapy uses classical mythology to illustrate how one deals with trauma without being overwhelmed by facing head-on, not the trauma, but its "reflection" in our nervous system.

Medusa

In Greek mythology, Medusa was the only mortal child of the three Gorgon sisters. The Gorgons were vicious female monsters with brass hands, sharp fangs and hair composed of living, venomous serpents. Medusa's cheeks puffed out and her tongue rolled between her fangs like the blood-thirsty goddess whom she represented. She was literally petrifying to look upon: every creature who ever saw her was turned to a stone of the earth. From Medusa's blood sprang two children by Poseidon: Pegasus and Chrysaor.

From the book, "Waking the Tiger" :

Perseus was instructed by Athena not to look at the Gorgon (Medusa), but to look at the reflections ( psychological reaction based on biology ) in the shield, And cut off the head with the sword (truth).

Examine Your Reactions

In the same way, trauma, phobias, negativity, addictions - any sort of "evil" can be dealt with, not by directly paying attention to it which will simply repeat the vicious cycle, but by studying our reaction to it, which is biologically based. All untoward reactions are nothing more than reinforced impressions.

Biological Basis

Our body is trained to be paralyzed when we are confronted with a ferocious animal and are with no hope of escape. This allows us to play possum convincingly, feigning death. This also conserves energy, maintains a high level of adrenalin, reduces pain and readies us just in case a window of opportunity for escape presents itself.

Watch the Mirror/Shield, Not the Source

In the case of fear of heights, for example, the paralyzation reaction is present. The way to overcome this is to "look at the mirror", experience the feelings completely, analyze and examine the paralyzation, and fear as a neutral third person overcoming it with truths: "Nothing can harm me unless I allow it", etc. All untoward reactions are nothing more than reinforced impressions. Create and reinforce the opposite impression.

Reinforce the Opposite Impression

Pegasus embodies truth. The wings symbolize noble thoughts and ideals.

The same can be applied to addictions, defeatism, etc. All untoward reactions are nothing more than reinforced impressions. Chronic alcoholics, sinners in a church, etc., maintain the same behaviour because too much attention is focused on the wrong (Medusa) or is misplaced.

[Category:Self help books]