Meditation, Mindfulness, and Trauma

Incorporating Mindfulness Into Healing From Trauma

Mindfulness and meditation have many positive aspects which can improve the relationship with ourselves, others, and the world we live in. We can directly see these positive outcomes by the way people react to us or even how our body responds to the prolonged tranquil feelings we have developed.

But what about the negative aspects of meditation? Are there any?

Believe it or not there are some instances where a meditation practice may be more harmful than beneficial.

Take for instance someone who has experienced a traumatic event and now is dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Let us consider what a traumatic event is. A traumatic event is not necessarily the event a person experiences but how this person views and integrates this experience into their being. 

For example, a traumatic event is not only the soldier who comes home from a war situation and 'has bad dreams', or a child sexual abuse survivor, but it may also include a homicide detective who experiences countless humans who have been murdered a person who was robbed at gunpoint. 

A traumatic event could also be the daily racial profiling that goes on while shopping or driving, economic disparity, any form of government (even in the USA). 

Therefor it is vital that the traumatic event is defined by the individual who experiences a particular event not the specific event.   

Normally, meditation asks the practitioner to be aware of their thoughts, any current physical sensations, and feelings which is beneficial in establishing a connection with your surroundings. However, someone who has experienced a traumatic event may relive the experience as a current happening while in meditation and flooding their senses into a heightened state of stress or danger. 

Such experiences often cause more harm than good and inhibit the letting go that is necessary.

It is a common misconception that the traumatic event must be integrated and that the survivors mind is rejecting this integration. But in the mindfulness perspective it is the opposite. The survivor is actually holding on to the event and not letting go. Accepting the traumatic event as over, in the past and not capable of causing us harm, is the path towards the liberation of the event.

As will all emotions, fear, love, anger, jealously, joy, we recognize their existence as they enter our being, we let them sit for a time, but then let them go. This is the quality of impermanence that nothing is a permanent fixture and will cease to exist. Thoughts included. 

Mindfulness instructors want to help but some may not have the necessary experience in dealing with a practitioner who is a survivor of a traumatic experience. If you are seeking a mindfulness instructor with this expertise, just ask them. If they do not have the experience they will earnestly tell you and assist you in finding a qualified instructor.

Mindfulness meditation truly is for everyone, no matter where you may be. It is a path of warm embrace, compassion, empathy, and lovingkindness.

If you have been the victim of a traumatic event, there are resources out there, with me or your mindfulness instructor being only one of them.

Please feel free to comment below.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

What is Mindfulness?

A Modern Day Buzz Word Or Something Much More?

We often hear the term 'mindfulness' or 'be mindful' being used all throughout aspects of our lives, from personal relationships to business settings.  

But what truly is mindfulness? 

This a common question that does not have one particular, succinct definition. It could be described as a sense of being rather than doing. A quality and not a quantity. 

I would describe mindfulness as a sense of non-judgmental being of both us as well as our surroundings. It is a way of connecting with your being and the world around you. 

So where do you begin?

Beginning a mindfulness practice may seem overwhelming as there are many beautiful qualities of mindfulness to explore, but let's begin with the all embracing loving-kindness.

Let's start with a simple exercise:

As you end your day, before you go to bed, mindfully reflect and write down all of the positive actions that you did, no matter how minute you may feel they are. 

Some examples of these positive actions could be:

• making your bed before you left for work 
• a kind compliment to a stranger at the grocery store 
• letting someone merge in front of you on the highway 
• a smile you gave
• leaving a penny at the register for someone who is short  

Now, mindfully reflect and write all of the negative actions you did. Some examples could be:

• procrastinating
• not holding a door for someone
• not letting someone merge in front of you on the highway
• being rude
• being sarcastic

Next, what were some neutral actions you did (or not do)?

• You walked with your head down to avoid eye contact
• Felt a sense of mundane boredom at work
• Did any action with a sense of routine energy

Compare your positive actions, neutral action, and your negative actions. 

Which do you have more of and why do you think that is?

When we initiate a positive action, whether it's to someone we know or not, we are expressing mindfulness. Positively expressing self-love, or mindfulness, we are rewarding ourselves with the gratitude we deserve. 

Let's consider just the simple example of a smile. 

When you smile at someone you are giving them a piece of yourself. It doesn't matter if they smile back or not. It was the mindful acknowledgement of fellow human being. The reward is in the action itself.   

When we initiate a negative action, whether it's to someone we know or not, we are not expressing mindfulness. In fact we are taking something valuable away from yourself. 

Let us consider a rude comment we might have made. 

Was this comment something we initiated or a response to someone else's comment? 

Was your ego hurt? Did you feel disrespected? 

Either way it does not matter. What does matter is that mindfulness was applied. The next time something like this occurs, mindfully express to them that the comment was not appropriate. This demonstrates self-control and growth.

Neutral actions are inherently neither positive or negative but certainly do not promote joy. 

Mindfulness is a lifestyle change and changes like this won't happen overnight. You may falter on occasion and that's normal so don't quit.  The goal is to make positive improvements as best you can.

Try this exercise for a week or a month and see if there is an improvement. 

I'd be interested in hearing from you so feel free to post a comment.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Mindfulness and Meditation Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.