Traum(a)

The word trauma has its roots in the German word traum, which means dream. 

This would imply that trauma keeps us asleep, in a dream-state.

“Trauma is a loss of connection to oneself and to the present moment” according to Gabor Mate. This inner disconnect is the fundamental cause of our disconnection with other humans and Mother Nature, inner separation is projected outwards.

Not having a connection to oneself makes it difficult to empathise and connect with others as we can only mirror what we feel is within ourselves. It keeps us unconscious of our patterns and behaviours, moving through life in a dream-like state, often choosing to blame others for their behaviours rather than looking within.

Trauma compromises our ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connection with patterns of protection. We are biologically wired to connect, but we learn to disconnect to survive. 

Like with all dreams, we eventually must wake up. And like with all dreams, they seem so utterly real at the time. 

Bringing awareness and reconnecting with oneself, feeling into the body and emotions, being in the present moment is how we can heal trauma.

Healing leads us out of the dream as we become whole and more conscious in our behaviours. Such an experience is one of embodiment and amounts to a new insight that affects body and psyche; it resonates in the cells of the body, making the dreamer aware of being part of something much bigger than ego.

This life-force resides in the depths of our soul- in every cell of our matter- in the caves and caverns of our heart. This life-force called qi, electromagnetic energy or spirit, is always knocking on the door of our consciousness.

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.   

I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.   

I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?   

I hear my being dance from ear to ear.  

 I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?   

God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,  

 And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?   

The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;   

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do.   

To you and me; so take the lively air,  

 And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.   

What falls away is always. And is near.   

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.   

I learn by going where I have to go.

-Theodore Roethke