Waking the Tiger

1. Trauma is a physiological response, not just a psychological one

Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.

Biological roots of trauma. Trauma occurs when our nervous system becomes overwhelmed and unable to process intense experiences. This results in a disconnect between mind and body, leaving excess energy trapped in our system. The symptoms we associate with trauma - hyperarousal, constriction, dissociation, and feelings of helplessness - are physiological responses designed to help us survive threats.

Beyond psychology. While trauma has psychological impacts, its core lies in our biology. Traditional talk therapy often falls short because it doesn't address the fundamental physiological dysregulation. Understanding trauma as a bodily response opens new avenues for healing that go beyond just addressing thoughts and emotions.

2. The body has an innate capacity to heal from trauma

The roots of trauma lie in our instinctual physiologies. As a result, it is through our bodies, as well as our minds, that we discover the key to its healing.

Natural healing process. Just as our bodies know how to heal physical wounds, they also have mechanisms to resolve trauma. This innate wisdom is often blocked or overridden in humans, but it can be accessed and supported. Animals in the wild naturally complete this process, which involves discharging the energy mobilized during a threatening event.

Tapping into instincts. By reconnecting with our natural, instinctual responses, we can activate this healing capacity. This involves allowing the body to complete self-protective responses that may have been thwarted during the traumatic event, such as fight, flight, or freeze reactions. Supporting these innate processes can lead to profound healing and transformation.

3. Symptoms of trauma are the body's attempt to manage unresolved energy

Trauma symptoms are the organism's way of defending itself against the arousal generated by an ever-present perception of threat.

Energy management. Traumatic symptoms, from anxiety to physical pain, are not flaws or weaknesses. They represent the body's best efforts to contain and manage the intense energy that remains unresolved from the original traumatic experience. These symptoms serve as a kind of pressure valve for the nervous system.

Adaptive responses. Common trauma symptoms include:

• Hypervigilance
• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
• Emotional numbing
• Avoidance behaviors
• Physical symptoms (e.g., chronic pain, digestive issues)
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating

Understanding these as adaptations rather than disorders shifts our perspective and opens new possibilities for healing.

4. Re-enactment is a common but unconscious attempt to resolve trauma

When we are unable to flow through trauma and complete instinctive responses, these incompleted actions often undermine our lives.

Compulsion to repeat. Traumatized individuals often find themselves unconsciously drawn into situations that echo their original trauma. This re-enactment is not a conscious choice, but rather the body's attempt to complete unfinished survival responses and discharge trapped energy.

Breaking the cycle. Re-enactment can take many forms:

• Repeated accidents or injuries
• Destructive relationship patterns
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Compulsive habits

Recognizing these patterns is the first step in breaking the cycle. By bringing awareness to these unconscious drives, we can begin to channel the energy into more constructive forms of resolution.

5. Healing trauma involves renegotiation, not reliving

Trauma can be healed. Not only can it be healed, but in many cases it can be healed without long hours of therapy; without the painful reliving of memories; and without a continuing reliance on medication.

Gentle approach. Contrary to popular belief, healing trauma doesn't require reliving painful experiences. Instead, it involves a process of "renegotiation" where we gradually and safely access the trapped energy and allow it to complete its course. This approach prevents re-traumatization and works with the body's natural healing capacity.

Key elements of renegotiation:

1. Creating safety and stability
2. Gradually accessing traumatic sensations and emotions
3. Allowing small, manageable releases of energy
4. Building resources and resilience
5. Integrating new experiences and insights

This process allows for transformation without overwhelming the nervous system.

6. The felt sense is key to accessing and transforming trauma

The felt sense encompasses the clarity, instinctual power, and fluidity necessary to transform trauma.

Body wisdom. The felt sense is our body's way of communicating the totality of our experience. It's a holistic, often subtle awareness that goes beyond just thoughts or emotions. By tuning into this bodily knowing, we can access information about our trauma that may not be available through conscious thought alone.

Accessing the felt sense:

• Pay attention to bodily sensations
• Notice subtle changes in your internal state
• Allow impressions and images to arise without judgment
• Stay curious about your experience
• Move slowly and gently

Developing this skill allows us to navigate the healing process more effectively, as our bodies guide us towards resolution.

7. Trauma can be prevented and healed through simple techniques

Trauma can be prevented more easily than it can be healed.

Immediate intervention. Simple techniques applied soon after a potentially traumatic event can prevent long-term symptoms from developing. These include:

• Allowing the body to shake or tremble
• Encouraging slow, deep breathing
• Providing a sense of safety and connection
• Supporting gradual orientation to the present

Ongoing practices. Regular engagement with certain activities can support healing and build resilience:

• Mindfulness and body awareness exercises
• Gentle, rhythmic movement
• Spending time in nature
• Engaging in supportive social connections

These practices help regulate the nervous system and promote a sense of safety and embodiment.

8. Societal trauma perpetuates cycles of violence and must be addressed

Trauma has a frightening potential to be re-enacted in the form of violence.

Collective impact. Trauma doesn't just affect individuals; it can shape entire societies. Unresolved collective traumas from events like war, genocide, or systemic oppression can lead to ongoing cycles of violence and social dysfunction. Addressing trauma on a societal level is crucial for breaking these cycles and creating lasting peace.

Healing approaches:

• Community-based trauma education
• Collective rituals and ceremonies
• Intergenerational dialogue and reconciliation
• Supporting healthy child development and attachment
• Creating opportunities for positive intergroup contact

By addressing trauma at both individual and collective levels, we can create more resilient and harmonious societies.

9. Memory in trauma is complex and not always literal

Most memory is not a coherent and continuous record of something that actually happened. It is a process of assembling elements of our experience into a coherent, organized whole.

Reconstructive nature. Traumatic memories are often fragmented and may not represent a literal record of events. The brain assembles these memories from various sensory impressions, emotions, and bits of information, which can lead to confusion or apparent inconsistencies.

Implications for healing:

• Focus on bodily sensations rather than narrative details
• Avoid pressuring for a "complete" or "accurate" story
• Understand that healing can occur without full recall
• Be cautious about the suggestibility of traumatic memories
• Prioritize present-moment experiences over past recollections

Recognizing the complex nature of traumatic memory allows for a more nuanced and effective approach to healing.

10. Transformation of trauma leads to greater resilience and aliveness

Transformation is the process of changing something in relation to its polar opposite.

Beyond symptom reduction. True healing from trauma doesn't just alleviate symptoms; it leads to a fundamental shift in one's relationship to life. This transformation often results in:

• Increased capacity for presence and joy
• Greater emotional resilience
• Enhanced intuition and bodily wisdom
• Deeper connections with others
• A more profound sense of meaning and purpose

Embracing change. The journey of healing trauma requires courage and a willingness to change. It involves facing fears, challenging long-held beliefs, and learning to trust one's innate capacity for healing. While this process can be challenging, the rewards are immense, offering a path to a more vibrant, authentic, and fulfilling life.

Last updated: January 22, 2025