I’m a big believer in this. Many years ago I had crippling social anxiety and could barely leave my house for weeks on end.
What saved me was a six month program of individual and group exercises to overwrite the toxic and destructive lessons of my life which had created certain core beliefs which were destroying my ability to function.
This was not conventional psychotherapy. It was a structured program to rewrite and overwrite neural pathways in my brain, using language, physical behavior and written journaling.
It worked. I perform many of the therapeutic exercises to this day to preempt depression and anxiety.
The key to any successful program is Divine help. Surrender to the One who created you. This is how I have survived over the decades, knowing God had my back, if I let Him.
As individuals like yourself begin to share the hard-won insights that liberate, more souls will have the information to open up to higher living. I agree, Divine help is needed. Prayers and openness to the still small voice are the only ways I know. Thank you for sharing! Namaste
My brother and I are older identical twins ( 73 years old ) who received massive mental and emotional damage in our very early years as well as throughout our lives. About 12 years ago it became clear to us that in order for us to bring a real blessing into this world we needed to do something drastic to face what we were terrified to face. We found a wonderful Therapist, a woman of humility and compassion who walked with us down a very difficult path for two and a half years of deep profound emotional work. This was without a doubt the most profound Spiritiual experience, one which established a new precident for facing the shadows which remain. We no longer use our Therapist as our means of introspection, we moved on to take personal responsibility, and the work continues to this very day. We are forever grateful for the Gift from GOD which came into our lives to help us heal. If a person really desires healing a way will be provided. There is LIGHT at the end of the path. Thank you for providing a way through for so many others. You are a Beacon of Light in a very dark world. God Bless You.
Very good article. I have been working on this myself for years. I will do your system and see if it helps clear out more of the old tapes. Thank you for sharing this!
Very interesting read. Thank you for sharing your experience and the pathway that helped you, OC 🙏
“Every emotional trigger is a breadcrumb from the shadow”
What a great line, way of putting it!!
I understand “the shadow” to be the ego self, immersed in a world of duality.
A recent example from my life: A day of stress that I had hoped to untangle through conversation with a friend I am very close to ended up getting me further entangled and stressed because I realized my friend didn’t “get me”!!
Totally unfair on my part but I used the emotional triggers - that had nothing to do with my friend - to intensify an emotional state by adding blame to my friend for not “getting me”!
On the one hand, I recognized that my ego was totally running the show of programmed loops but I felt unwilling to surrender it - another tantrum I occasionally get into with God.
I woke up the next morning with clear insight into a sneaky trick my ego uses: ‘You just don’t get me’! Clearly a consciousness of pride. At that point of realization, I laughed. Holy cow! My ego, that I am on a spiritual journey of working to dissolve/release, on full display : “Me!”
And furthermore, I could “see” the challenge of how deep my own unwillingness to surrender can go.
There’s that saying: Would you rather be right or happy? Honestly? Many times I would very much rather be right!! An emotional trigger breadcrumb…
Emotional triggers are fascinating!!
On a path of devotion to untangling from the ego illusions of self…those “shadows” are amazing clues.
Thank you, FJ... truly... your reflection hit home in many ways...
That phrase “you just don’t get me” is such a brilliantly exposed loop... I’ve seen that one pop up in myself, too...
It’s wild how our ego can weaponize our need to be seen, especially in moments of vulnerability, and then flip it into a story of separation... pride-based consciousness, as you named, is slippery… it disguises itself as truth, when it’s really just an echo from a wound asking to be loved without condition...
I appreciate the honesty in how you held both awareness of the loop and the resistance to let it go...
that’s the real work... seeing it without bypassing it... the tantrum with God line made me smile… because yep, been there. Sometimes the greatest healing comes in those very human standoffs with the Divine... would be nice to win one of those... once in a while, lol...
We laugh, we cry, and we trace another breadcrumb... but the fact we trace it back... shows we are growing...
Honored to walk this path beside you... thank you for adding such depth to this conversation.
“It’s wild how our ego can weaponize our need to be seen, especially in moments of vulnerability, and then flip it into a story of separation... pride-based consciousness, as you named, is slippery… it disguises itself as truth, when it’s really just an echo from a wound asking to be loved without condition...” So well said 🙏
Our society has been the epitome of these emotional triggers for most of my life. The more we concentrate on our selves (no matter the guise), the more miserable we are…. God IS.🙏
Yes every trauma and disappointment is an opportunity to grow. To do so we must look within ourselves to do an analysis. But first people need to learn how to relax and be able to concentrate.
The Vagus nerve the largest nerve in the human body controls our entire parasympathetic system. Triggering the Vagus nerve will relax you. The Vagus nerve can be stimulated by a simple breathing technique explained in this article. Once relaxed create a body memory by pushing thumb onto index finger. By repetition you will be able to relax by simply taking a short breath and pressing your finger. https://vagusnerve.com/the-impact-of-breathing-on-the-vagus-nerve-a-comprehensive-guide/
I used Eckhart Tolle's method, from his book Power of Now many years back. I'm mostly peaceful, no more major triggers and if anything does come up, they are usually very subtle. Need to pay attention otherwise you may miss them. I agree, this is essential work!
Thank you for this. It’s a truth I have been learning to practice in my personal healing for years ❤️🩹 from trauma that was making sure PTSD would be my “norm.”
Takes a while to get there, it’s a journey.
Indeed a relationship with a Higher Power is a positive step on our journeys. The Sovereign
G-d Who is One. Getting to know the All Mighty Creator, Redeemer, Lover of our souls (He created) is a trip!
That is the most amazing realization I have experienced. And it’s not about “religion.”
It’s about the depth of our inner being called heart or soul, but religion can help as an introduction, if not used as a distraction onto magical thinking.
Changing takes some time. G-d will win - G-d does win!! We learn Faith and Trust in a higher truth is a choice. A choice to believe G-d and that choice does not depend on a warm fuzzy feel good emotion. That choice is where “the rubber meets the (healing) road” period. I love being a winner!
I have needed counseling or psychotherapy for many years, probably even since I was a kid, and never more so than over the last 5 years. But I've never gone to it because I've never known anyone who ever got better from doing that. Anyway, what are they going to do? Answer: Put me on drugs.
Surely this can do no harm, and surely it's better than Paxil. So I will try it.
I’m a big believer in this. Many years ago I had crippling social anxiety and could barely leave my house for weeks on end.
What saved me was a six month program of individual and group exercises to overwrite the toxic and destructive lessons of my life which had created certain core beliefs which were destroying my ability to function.
This was not conventional psychotherapy. It was a structured program to rewrite and overwrite neural pathways in my brain, using language, physical behavior and written journaling.
It worked. I perform many of the therapeutic exercises to this day to preempt depression and anxiety.
Pluribus, great reply... it is so good to see others doing the same basic type of inner work...
My post made it sound like "I am done" -- as we know, we are never really done... but it does get easier over time...
Yep. Once your brain has figured out how to behave like it’s your enemy, it’s very destructive.
This is reversible but then requires a lifetime of maintenance.
Learning that my brain is not necessarily always my friend was the start.
The key to any successful program is Divine help. Surrender to the One who created you. This is how I have survived over the decades, knowing God had my back, if I let Him.
Great article! Thank you!
Thank you Anna... God is the only way...
As individuals like yourself begin to share the hard-won insights that liberate, more souls will have the information to open up to higher living. I agree, Divine help is needed. Prayers and openness to the still small voice are the only ways I know. Thank you for sharing! Namaste
You're welcome, Tony... thank you...
Once again a wonderful message of Light.
My brother and I are older identical twins ( 73 years old ) who received massive mental and emotional damage in our very early years as well as throughout our lives. About 12 years ago it became clear to us that in order for us to bring a real blessing into this world we needed to do something drastic to face what we were terrified to face. We found a wonderful Therapist, a woman of humility and compassion who walked with us down a very difficult path for two and a half years of deep profound emotional work. This was without a doubt the most profound Spiritiual experience, one which established a new precident for facing the shadows which remain. We no longer use our Therapist as our means of introspection, we moved on to take personal responsibility, and the work continues to this very day. We are forever grateful for the Gift from GOD which came into our lives to help us heal. If a person really desires healing a way will be provided. There is LIGHT at the end of the path. Thank you for providing a way through for so many others. You are a Beacon of Light in a very dark world. God Bless You.
Very good article. I have been working on this myself for years. I will do your system and see if it helps clear out more of the old tapes. Thank you for sharing this!
You're welcome, ZA!
Very interesting read. Thank you for sharing your experience and the pathway that helped you, OC 🙏
“Every emotional trigger is a breadcrumb from the shadow”
What a great line, way of putting it!!
I understand “the shadow” to be the ego self, immersed in a world of duality.
A recent example from my life: A day of stress that I had hoped to untangle through conversation with a friend I am very close to ended up getting me further entangled and stressed because I realized my friend didn’t “get me”!!
Totally unfair on my part but I used the emotional triggers - that had nothing to do with my friend - to intensify an emotional state by adding blame to my friend for not “getting me”!
On the one hand, I recognized that my ego was totally running the show of programmed loops but I felt unwilling to surrender it - another tantrum I occasionally get into with God.
I woke up the next morning with clear insight into a sneaky trick my ego uses: ‘You just don’t get me’! Clearly a consciousness of pride. At that point of realization, I laughed. Holy cow! My ego, that I am on a spiritual journey of working to dissolve/release, on full display : “Me!”
And furthermore, I could “see” the challenge of how deep my own unwillingness to surrender can go.
There’s that saying: Would you rather be right or happy? Honestly? Many times I would very much rather be right!! An emotional trigger breadcrumb…
Emotional triggers are fascinating!!
On a path of devotion to untangling from the ego illusions of self…those “shadows” are amazing clues.
Blessings, OC 🙏❤️🕊
Thank you, FJ... truly... your reflection hit home in many ways...
That phrase “you just don’t get me” is such a brilliantly exposed loop... I’ve seen that one pop up in myself, too...
It’s wild how our ego can weaponize our need to be seen, especially in moments of vulnerability, and then flip it into a story of separation... pride-based consciousness, as you named, is slippery… it disguises itself as truth, when it’s really just an echo from a wound asking to be loved without condition...
I appreciate the honesty in how you held both awareness of the loop and the resistance to let it go...
that’s the real work... seeing it without bypassing it... the tantrum with God line made me smile… because yep, been there. Sometimes the greatest healing comes in those very human standoffs with the Divine... would be nice to win one of those... once in a while, lol...
We laugh, we cry, and we trace another breadcrumb... but the fact we trace it back... shows we are growing...
Honored to walk this path beside you... thank you for adding such depth to this conversation.
OC...
“Honored to walk this path beside you”
As I am with you, OC 🙏❤️
“It’s wild how our ego can weaponize our need to be seen, especially in moments of vulnerability, and then flip it into a story of separation... pride-based consciousness, as you named, is slippery… it disguises itself as truth, when it’s really just an echo from a wound asking to be loved without condition...” So well said 🙏
Thank you
You both are inspiring!🙏🕊️❤️
Our society has been the epitome of these emotional triggers for most of my life. The more we concentrate on our selves (no matter the guise), the more miserable we are…. God IS.🙏
Yes every trauma and disappointment is an opportunity to grow. To do so we must look within ourselves to do an analysis. But first people need to learn how to relax and be able to concentrate.
The Vagus nerve the largest nerve in the human body controls our entire parasympathetic system. Triggering the Vagus nerve will relax you. The Vagus nerve can be stimulated by a simple breathing technique explained in this article. Once relaxed create a body memory by pushing thumb onto index finger. By repetition you will be able to relax by simply taking a short breath and pressing your finger. https://vagusnerve.com/the-impact-of-breathing-on-the-vagus-nerve-a-comprehensive-guide/
I used Eckhart Tolle's method, from his book Power of Now many years back. I'm mostly peaceful, no more major triggers and if anything does come up, they are usually very subtle. Need to pay attention otherwise you may miss them. I agree, this is essential work!
Nicely written. Very well put together
Clear, succinct, compassionate and easy to follow.
I would suggest the only thing missing is some form of bodywork like Shiatsu...
I get triggered a lot… I’ll try focusing on the larger…after rereading and taking notes…there has been so much just these last few days😎👌
Thank you for this. It’s a truth I have been learning to practice in my personal healing for years ❤️🩹 from trauma that was making sure PTSD would be my “norm.”
Takes a while to get there, it’s a journey.
Indeed a relationship with a Higher Power is a positive step on our journeys. The Sovereign
G-d Who is One. Getting to know the All Mighty Creator, Redeemer, Lover of our souls (He created) is a trip!
That is the most amazing realization I have experienced. And it’s not about “religion.”
It’s about the depth of our inner being called heart or soul, but religion can help as an introduction, if not used as a distraction onto magical thinking.
Changing takes some time. G-d will win - G-d does win!! We learn Faith and Trust in a higher truth is a choice. A choice to believe G-d and that choice does not depend on a warm fuzzy feel good emotion. That choice is where “the rubber meets the (healing) road” period. I love being a winner!
What a time to be living! Thank you for sharing all of these tools to awaken and restore us. Blessings to you.
Good tools for trying times indeed🛶🦉
I have needed counseling or psychotherapy for many years, probably even since I was a kid, and never more so than over the last 5 years. But I've never gone to it because I've never known anyone who ever got better from doing that. Anyway, what are they going to do? Answer: Put me on drugs.
Surely this can do no harm, and surely it's better than Paxil. So I will try it.
Thank you so much! I journal but never thought of the voice recorder. I am going to definitely try that!
Surrender is key. Level-up with God. Invite him in. Believe it or not, he’s recruiting. No, not for what’s to come, but for what’s to come after.