Meditation for PTSD
How often we wish we could get a fresh start in life. We
recognize that we've made some mistakes, and the past weighs heavily on our
mind. We wish we could take back some cruel words, spend more time with
someone, or be more forgiving this time.
Each day we try to start afresh but we get upset, and the
upset brings back all the negativity. We struggle with memories and emotions
and try harder, but we end up frustrated and making things worse by resenting
ourselves. The only thing that brings temporary relief is symptom removal, but it
does not solve our pain or restore our dignity and self-sovereignty.
I understand, and I also know what you need.
To start again, you need two things:
First you need a way of living and moving and having your
being that is calm and not willful. And more importantly a way of speaking and
acting gracefully with wisdom and common sense. One where reason leads instead
of emotion. One where intuition is your guide and purposeful patience is your
energy to move rather than torment from within or pressures from the outside.
One where you are a friend of conscience.
Perhaps now you see what else is needed.
You need a way of dealing with the traumas, baggage, and
memories of the past. Mostly those memories are of failure: where we somehow failed,
or where we were hasty, impetuous, angry, excited, greedy, prideful or selfish.
We moved without wisdom and were tempted away from reason. We became resentful
and said or did the wrong thing. We doubted ourselves and lost faith in
goodness. We blamed others when we were out of control. But then we turned
around and were impatient with others.
But before you can have patience and understanding, you must
learn how to separate from the negative thoughts and emotions in which you are
currently immersed. That is what the meditation helps you to do.
You must learn the secret of observing negative thoughts and
emotions calmly in the light of understanding. We all have access to this inner
light, but we have fallen away from it though excitement, upset and hiding in
the imagination.
In the past you tried to deal with negative memories and
emotions (as well as memories of your failings) egotistically. You suppressed
and repressed. You struggled with them. You tried to rearrange the past or tried
to plan and scheme your way out of the messes you made. But it never worked.
Now things can be different. With the help of the
meditation, by not escaping into worries, daydreams, memories or thinking; and
by not reaching for some outside distraction—the meditator becomes still and
faces Reality. Problems are seen and dealt with in the clear light.
Now the person can
live in the Presence in the present. Past memories are observed in the light of
the present. One day, there will be no more errors of the past to see--only a
beautiful present to live in.
And now graced with the delicate presence of mind, you can
find your way to a positive purposeful future.
The meditation and supplemental reading resources are based
on a quarter century of experience. The meditation and the accompanying booklet
are our most important spiritual recovery resources, perhaps the only ones you
will need.
They are provided as a goodwill and humanitarian effort from
Roland and the Center for Common Sense Counseling. Roland volunteers his time
and limited funds for a good cause. Any small donations he receives help defray
his expenses.
The meditation, if you choose to try it, may restore self
control and permit you to stand back from negative thoughts, emotions and
memories. Once having gained some mental distance (instead of being immersed in
the memory), a natural control comes into play which has the power to reverse
the process of losing control through over-reacting to our reactions.
The meditation practitioner will then be more composed and
able to realize into being positive solutions to life and relationship issues.
At this point the supplemental reading materials will add insight to the new
found control and will explain and reinforce the positive learning.
Click here for information about the meditation to cope with stress and PTSD
Audio podcast of Roland's radio program about recovery from PTSD
Listen to the beautiful words from Cardinal Fenelon, the French mystic:
Do not be discouraged at your faults; bear with yourself in correcting them, as you would with your neighbor. Lay aside this ardor of mind, which exhausts your body, and leads you to commit errors. Accustom yourself gradually to carry prayer into all your daily occupations. Speak, move, work, in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be.
Do everything without excitement, by the spirit of grace. As soon as you perceive your natural impetuosity gliding in, retire quietly within, where is the kingdom of God. Listen to the leadings of grace, then say and do nothing but what the Holy Spirit shall put in your heart.
You will find that you will become more tranquil, that your words will be fewer and more effectual, and that, with less effort, you will accomplish more good.
FRANCOIS DE LA MOTHE FENELON.
