Trauma: A Spiritual Perspective – Turning Wounds into Wisdom

This is the 3^rd talk in a Series on Wellness dealing with Trauma from a spiritual perspective.

The two core premises presented in the discussion to help with a spiritual perspective is the Dharmic traditions understood that all pain and suffering will be somehow rooted in ignorance, and secondly, material existence and spiritual life operate under completely different paradigms based upon the understanding (or misunderstanding) of the ‘self’, who I actually am. Am I the temporary, constantly changing material body and mind, or am I an eternal spiritual being inhabiting the material body and mind?

During the talk a previous series of seven videos was referenced, titled “Weathering a Storm”. A link to the highly recommended Series is HERE

Some quoted verses:

“The more one is freed from material identification, the more one can realize that the spirit soul is qualitatively as good as the Supreme Soul.” – AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Persons devoid of ātma-tattva do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children and wife. Although sufficiently experienced, they still do not see their inevitable destruction. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 2.1.4

I took this as the special mercy of the Lord, who always desires benediction for His devotees, and so thinking, I started for the north. – Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.6.10

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Trauma from a Spiritual Perspective ‎

00:03:47 Fundamental Premises of Spiritual Understanding ‎

00:07:02 The Mind-Brain Distinction and Spiritual Identity ‎

00:13:46 Proof of Separation Between Self and Mind ‎

00:17:37 The Weathering a Storm Series Overview ‎

00:21:03 The Seven Principles of Weathering Storms ‎

00:27:07 Personal Responsibility and Conscious Choice-Making ‎

00:30:55 Dealing with Anxiety and Unrealistic Expectations ‎

00:34:12 Building Sand Castles and Facing Reality ‎

00:36:22 Ancient Wisdom on Transcending Trauma ‎

00:40:37 The Concept of False Shelter ‎

00:44:25 Narda Muni’s Story of Transcendence ‎

00:49:54 Modern Psychology and Cultural Observations ‎

00:53:53 Stoicism and Spiritual Principles ‎

00:56:50 The Power of Perspective and Choice ‎

01:01:19 Meditation as Transformation