Healing from trauma the right way requires people to learn how to “see from the Self.” This can take some practice, and it can be very helpful to do some exercises as a way to train yourself. This might not be something that you are able to do right away. But in time, you may be surprised at the results you experience.
For just a moment, participate in this exercise. Follow the steps outlined below to begin working on this healing step.
Step One: Imagine a Person Who Has Hurt You
Think about a person in your life that you have been hurt by, or to whom you have closed off your heart. This could be anyone, including someone you once trusted but you no longer do, or it could even be someone that annoys you. Imagine that person is in a room and you are looking into the room through a window.
Step Two: How Does That Person Make You Feel?
Now think about how you feel as you look at that person. Do they make you feel:
- Angry?
- Frustrated?
- Scared?
- Judgmental?
- Detached?
Try to pick just one feeling for this exercise and focus on that feeling.
Step Three: Address the Feeling
Now, I would like you to specifically address the feeling you are experiencing. Ask the feeling if it would be willing to separate from you for just a short time. You will remain outside the room, and it will only be a quick separation.
Notice what you feel once you ask the feeling to separate. Did it feel like some energy left you? What do you notice now, when you look at the person in the room? If the feeling actually separated, you may feel something like, compassion or acceptance toward that person. This is a new feeling that is coming from your Self.
If you don’t feel compassion or acceptance and instead, you experience something else, ask that feeling to also separate from you. You may have to go through this process a few times until you get to the root, which is the Self.
What if No Separation Occurs?
Sometimes it can be difficult to get to the Self when you are first performing this exercise. If those feelings refuse to separate, ask them why. What are they afraid of? Those parts may have good reasons why they do not want to separate from you. But you should take this opportunity to reassure them that everything will be OK when they do.
The Experience of the Separation
If those feelings or parts did separate, you may notice qualities of your Self coming forward. This could result in a lot of new feelings that you have never experienced before. You may find yourself:
- Wondering why the person acted the way they did.
- Seeing specific situations in a new light and perspective.
- Understanding the person’s behavior in new ways.
This exercise can seem strange when you first try it. But in time, you will notice the value in seeing from the Self without all of the Parts getting in the way.
This is just one way you can work through the process of healing from trauma. There are many more. Would you like to explore them? If so, I can help. Please contact me to make an appointment.
Healing from Trauma: An Exercise in Seeing from the Self
Healing from trauma the right way requires people to learn how to “see from the Self.” This can take some practice, and it can be very helpful to do some exercises as a way to train yourself. This might not be something that you are able to do right away. But in time, you may be surprised at the results you experience.
For just a moment, participate in this exercise. Follow the steps outlined below to begin working on this healing step.
Step One: Imagine a Person Who Has Hurt You
Think about a person in your life that you have been hurt by, or to whom you have closed off your heart. This could be anyone, including someone you once trusted but you no longer do, or it could even be someone that annoys you. Imagine that person is in a room and you are looking into the room through a window.
Step Two: How Does That Person Make You Feel?
Now think about how you feel as you look at that person. Do they make you feel:
- Angry?
- Frustrated?
- Scared?
- Judgmental?
- Detached?
Try to pick just one feeling for this exercise and focus on that feeling.
Step Three: Address the Feeling
Now, I would like you to specifically address the feeling you are experiencing. Ask the feeling if it would be willing to separate from you for just a short time. You will remain outside the room, and it will only be a quick separation.
Notice what you feel once you ask the feeling to separate. Did it feel like some energy left you? What do you notice now, when you look at the person in the room? If the feeling actually separated, you may feel something like, compassion or acceptance toward that person. This is a new feeling that is coming from your Self.
If you don’t feel compassion or acceptance and instead, you experience something else, ask that feeling to also separate from you. You may have to go through this process a few times until you get to the root, which is the Self.
What if No Separation Occurs?
Sometimes it can be difficult to get to the Self when you are first performing this exercise. If those feelings refuse to separate, ask them why. What are they afraid of? Those parts may have good reasons why they do not want to separate from you. But you should take this opportunity to reassure them that everything will be OK when they do.
The Experience of the Separation
If those feelings or parts did separate, you may notice qualities of your Self coming forward. This could result in a lot of new feelings that you have never experienced before. You may find yourself:
- Wondering why the person acted the way they did.
- Seeing specific situations in a new light and perspective.
- Understanding the person’s behavior in new ways.
This exercise can seem strange when you first try it. But in time, you will notice the value in seeing from the Self without all of the Parts getting in the way.
This is just one way you can work through the process of healing from trauma. There are many more. Would you like to explore them? If so, I can help. Please contact me to make an appointment.
