Trauma? What Trauma?

nationwide, identifying the trauma in people’s lives has almost become  an obsession lately. I readily acknowledge that many people do experience genuinely traumatic events in their lives.  However, not every undesirable event constitutes trauma. Painting everything with that brush seems to be the result of well-meaning but overly zealous sentimentality.

To me, the key to resilience in the face of adversity is found in the writings of Marcus Aurelius in Meditations, “Choose not  to be harmed, and you won’t feel harmed.  Don’t feel harmed, and you haven’t been. It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character. Otherwise, it cannot harm you inside or out.” I suppose that we might expect this sort of statement from a follower of Stoic philosophy which Aurelius was. Nonetheless, there is a profound truth embedded in these words. 

In order to fully appreciate this view, I think it would be helpful to start with the following definition of trauma, a deeply distressing or disturbing  experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope.   The potential affected areas include physical  emotional and psychological. The question is whether or not a person has been traumatized if they are still coping effectively. 

It seems like a physical trauma would be relatively easy to determine.  If an individual’s ability to function physically has been  limited by injury or illness, certainly that would constitute trauma wouldn’t it? However, if they have learned to adapt to their initial limitation and are now functioning well, perhaps the event should be considered  a temporary trauma. 

Unfortunately, emotional and psychological trauma is not as simple to remedy as a joint replacement or prosthesis. This is where Aurelius’ admonition applies. Two people may experience the same negative event and respond entirely differently.  One may “choose not to be harmed” and dismiss the situation completely.  Another may relive the memory repeatedly and develop related fears. 

Was the afore mentioned  event traumatizing? Not necessarily. The reaction to our experiences determines the severity and duration of any associated trauma. An additional factor is whether or not the event was perceived to have been perpetrated intentionally.  This latter issue introduces a whole new component to any emotional and/or psychological reactions.

If we accept the premise set forth by Marcus Aurelius, it offers a pathway to trauma recovery.  It may require courageous reconsideration of our experiences and a reordering of our cognitive assessment. Nevertheless, it places us in control of our future wellbeing and takes us out of the role of victim.

Thus far, I have been writing in generalities. Allow me to offer my personal experience.  Since the age of nine, I have been progressively losing my eyesight.  At present, I have a little light perception in my right eye but nothing else.  During this time, I have learned to accept that loss is simply a part of life. If I believed in a deity that was intimately aware of my existence, I might have a reason to feel personally harmed.  As it is, I view the cosmos as unaware and accept my condition as an unfortunate random event.

Frequently I share my belief that we all have to take the hand that is felt to us and play it to the best of our ability. Beginning in my young adulthood, I went to college, worked on construction sites, entered the ministry, established a new congregation in southern Maryland, obtained an MS degree in management  and eventually worked in several professional positions.  When my vision became too poor to continue in that role, I trained as a massage therapist, operated my own massage establishment in Florida for more than twenty years and now, at the age of 75, am working 27 hours a week in a massage establishment in West Virginia. 

I am extremely thankful that I have had the wonderful good fortune  of being among loving and supportive family and friends.  Certainly I require a degree of assistance in a variety of ways.  However, one of my greatest blessings has been a positive attitude that has enabled me to achieve many  accomplishments that have continually amazed me and those who have known me through the years.

The primary point of this week’s post is that we cannot transfer our own perceptions of what constitutes a traumatic situation to others. Let’s be thankful that many are amazingly resilient and are not easily traumatized.  At the same time, may we be supportive of  those who do suffer from trauma and hope that they will someday be able to regain their ability to cope more effectively.

Perhaps we should update Marcus Aurelios’ statement to read as follows:

Choose not to consider yourself traumatized, and you won’t feel traumatized.  Don’t feel traumatized, and you haven’t been.

 

Moving Beyond Individualism

On June 12, 2017, my post was entitled Synergy is Weaving the Fabric of the Universe. In it, I presented the concept of synergistic relationships. Four elements are key to nurturing this level of interconnection.

1.    Unity is the highest priority:  No issue, personal interest, opinion or desire is more important than maintaining the solidarity of the relationship.

2.    Differences are resolved openly, honestly and with mutual respect.

3.    Altruism is pervasive:  Everyone recognizes that they are part of a greater whole.  Therefore, the needs of others are regularly attended to with the same care one might exercise towards oneself.

4.    Success is everyone’s responsibility:  All members are equally committed to maintaining a harmonious internal relationship and insuring the effective achievement of the group's objectives and activities.

The greatest obstacle to these fully integrated relationships is the personal isolation that results from our obsession with individualism.  Our nation takes great pride in the illusion of being  comprised of "rugged individuals."  We revere the outstanding leaders that have served our nation over the years, but lose sight of the fact that their primary accomplishments were to inspire the collaborative efforts of others. 

What could George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, George Patton or others have accomplished without the support and sacrifice of millions of committed Americans? 

Too often extreme individualism is manifested through criminality, manipulation, greed,  brutality and numerous other socially destructive behaviors.  We have all witnessed the selfish actions of narcissistic individuals as they clamor to fulfill their needs and desires while completely  disregarding their impact on  those around them.  Even in benign forms, those who continually insist on imposing their individual wants, needs and "rights" can undermine interpersonal relations with even their closest loved ones and friends.

We are a complex species. Certainly we need to be able to think and act independently, yet we live in a matrix of social connections.  If humanity hopes to reach a higher level of harmony, it must cultivate a greater sense of collective interdependence, cohesion and collaboration.

I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered Terry Real’s book, Us: Getting Past You And Me To Build A More Loving Relationship.  He devotes an entire chapter to "The Myth of Individualism." The rest of the book focuses on  transforming ‘you’ and ‘me’ into ‘we’ in meaningful relationships. 

It would be impossible for me to overemphasize the significance of this book.  I am recommending it to anyone who is interested in elevating their relationships to a higher level.  It is never too early or too late to implement the principles presented throughout this insightful work.

 

Who IS Federico Faggin?

A friend recently drew my attention to someone with whom I was not familiar, Federico Faggin. to my surprise. It is a name that we should all be as familiar with as  Eli Whitney, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and the Wright Brothers. He designed the first commercial micro processor and has been heavily involved in the emergence of personal computers and devices throughout the entire information age.

After a dynamic personal experience around Christmas of 1990 he became heavily involved in the study of consciousness. He recently released a book entitled Irreducible, which presents his theory of Quantum Information Pan psychism. It presents consciousness as a presence throughout the universe at the quantum level.

I have not been able to obtain a copy of his book in a format that I can read but have listened to several interviews with him.  The science he proposes is beyond my understanding. Nevertheless, it appears that this offers a scientific explanation for concepts of cosmic consciousness that have been expressed by religions and philosophies in various ways  for thousands of years.

The consciousness Faggin proposes does not appear to imply cognitive awareness.  Instead, it is more of a proto-conciousness that is merely a sensory awareness seeking to expand its understanding of itself.  Much like the tendrils of a climbing vine as they wave in the breeze. seeking an object on which to attach in its effort for vertical ascent towards sunlight. He asserts that this consciousness pervades the entire universe and is the underlying force that has produced the emergence of matter.

Although Faggin may be presenting new foundations for the concept, cosmic consciousness is not a new. Idea.  More than 3,000 years ago Hindu meditation was  introduced as a means of merging with universal consciousness.  Throughout the ages, various forms of spiritual practices have sought to accomplish the same. Prayer, meditation, singing, chanting, dancing, music, fasting, etc., have all attempted to transcend the intellect and engage with invisible universal forces. 

In the mid twentieth century, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote The Phenomenon of Man in which he coined the term cosmogenesis to label the process by which the universe was engaged in progressive complexification that has led to human consciousness.  He further proposed that there was a field of consciousness which he called the noosphere  enveloping the earth that unified human thought. For decades, the Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) has been pursuing scientific evidence of this latter idea.

Just a casual search of the internet reveals a wealth of publications promoting Fagggin’s basic ideas.  For example, in 1993, Amid Goswami published The Self Aware Universe and has recently released a new edition.  What Faggim is bringing to the discussion may be a more thorough explanation of the scientific fundamentals.  It is all quite fascinating but still very controversial. 

Are Faggin and others right about consciousness being as integral to the universe as gravity?  I certainly hope so. It would transform spirituality from a metaphysical interest to a legitimate effort to unify with the cosmos.  As such, religion and science would no longer need to be mutually exclusive perspectives on reality. Furthermore, we might legitimately recognize that all of our efforts to explore our planet and universe are simply expressions of the cosmos seeking to understand itself.

What this means in the longterm is impossible to say.  However, monitoring the future development of these theories and potential supporting evidence certainly merits our attention.

 

Unintentional Inspiration

• I cannot think of a single book that has received worldwide acclaim for its inspirational impact that was not intentionally written to convey its contents to others, with the exception of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. He ruled Rome as emperor from 161-180 AD. During this period, he kept a personal journal containing aphorisms, admonishments, observations and insights intended for his personal review and consideration. 

  
  

  Although he never intended others to view his writings, after his death his journal was found to be so inspirational that is was copied repeatedly. The structure of Meditations can sometimes be a little awkward, but the contents frequently reveal the seeds of contemporary thoughts. Undoubtedly this is due to the fact that so many influential individuals have read it repeatedly, absorbing and conveying the wisdom contained in it.

  
  

  I find it a continual source of enlightenment.  It seems that every time I read it, I encounter a new thought that challenges and stimulates my thinking. These candidly unedited writings permit us to explore many of the  most meaningful thoughts Aurelius preserved for himself. Although I may not always agree with what is presented, I am, nonetheless, challenged to clarify my own position on any given topic.

  
  

  What follows are just a few quotes that will hopefully encourage you to read it for yourself.

  
  

  - Stop talking about what a good man is like and just be one.

  
  

  - It never ceases to amaze me.  We all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.

  
  

  - Choose not to be harmed, and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed, and you haven’t been.

  
  

  - What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.

  
  

  - A straight forward honest person should be like someone who stinks. When you’re in the same room with him you know it.  

  
  

  - The despicable phoniness of people who say,”Listen, I’m going to level with you here.” What does that mean? It shouldn’t even need to be said. It should be obvious, written in block letters on your forehead. It should be audible in your voice, visible in your eyes like a lover who looks into your eyes and takes in the whole story at a glance. 

  
  

  - When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself the people I deal with today will be mettling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they cannot tell good from evil. But, I have seen the beauty of good and the ugliness of evil and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own, not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind and possessing a share of the divine.

Interior Design

I have always found the idea of hiring an interior decorator to design a family home odd. Because there is no ideal style. Decisions merely reflect arbitrary personal  opinions and tastes whether professional or not.  If ten designers were independently consulted, there would be ten different designs. It seems to me that the question is whether I want a comfortable and functional place to live or something that may or may not impress those who enter. 

I suppose that interior decorators could serve as knowledgable resources, but the ultimate decisions should be made by those who will be living there.  Of course, with all of the resources available on the internet, I still wonder about the need to spend money for ‘professional’ opinions. I am sure that part of my attitude is due to the fact that I think homes should look lived in rather than being ready to appear in a magazine. As long as the home is structurally sound, neat, clean and suits the daily needs of the inhabitants shouldn’t that be enough?  Do we really need the approval of others in order to thoroughly enjoy our dwellings?

Similarly, how should we develop our inner life?  Do we need professional mandates about our spiritual, emotional, intellectual and psychological state? Certainly there are innumerable religious, political, social and commercial ’experts’ vying for our allegiance and ready to tell us what to think, believe and do. Judging from the popularity of internet influencers, it appears that many enjoy the simplicity of following the guidance these interior designers offer. 

In my home, I like an eclectic approach. The same is true about my inner life.  For several decades, I viewed the Bible as the infallible word of God to be interpreted literally.  I still revere the moral teachings, but no longer consider its the sole source of inspiration.  I have benefitted from contemporary authors, but find my most cherished guidance among the ancient writings of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Stoics.  

As a species, humanity’s technological evolution has been amazing.  However, socially, mentally, and spiritually we have not changed much.  That is why insights from antiquity are still poignantly relevant to modern humanity . A wonderful collection of quotes and insights from around the world and over thousands of years was compiled by Leo Tolstoy near the turn of the twentieth century.  It is titled "A Calendar of Wisdom" and illustrates this point quite well.

In Greece twenty-five hundred years ago, there was an ancient inscription on a pillar along the pathway to the Oracle of Delphi that read, “Know Thyself.” Judging from the billions of dollars that are spent annually on mental health services, this seems like sound advice today. Unfortunately, it often appears that people do not take time to consider the origin, composition or validity of their beliefs, motivations, moral compass or other aspects of their inner being. Too often, it is left to chance or the influence and/or manipulation  of others. Socrates  addressed this shortcoming when he said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” We should certainly be open to guidance and inspiration from various sources, but if we hope to live completely authentic lives, ultimately, we must become our own interior designers.

 

  

Twilight Years

 I recently turned 75- ears old.  It has spawned a fair amount of reflection.  Most recently, I have reached an amazing level of  contentment.  

It is as though I am sitting in an old rocker  on the porch of a weathered farmhouse after a long day of hard work. With a cold glass of iced tea in hand, I am gazing out over wheat fields that are being bathed in the evening hews of a setting sun as it slowly dips below the distant horizon.  I know that the sun will eventually set, and the last rays will disappear.  I’m not quite sure when that will occur, but that is alright because I am not in any hurry to go to bed. 

There are several tasks that were left undone, but overall I am satisfied with my accomplishments. others will simply have to take care of those things I didn’t get around to. My minor aches and pains have been honestly earned, and I welcome the time when I will be able to eventually lie  down for a well deserved sleep.  

 

Back Again

 It has been several years since I have made an entry. I chose to stop posting because my vision was declining seriously, and it was increasingly difficult for me to locate and correct misspellings and typos. In the interim I have moved from New Port Richey, Florida to Barboursville, West Virginia and now I am learning to use a Mac computer which is giving me greater control over my ability to correct my writing so I plan to begin posting items again in the very near future. It is my hope that any who have enjoyed this blog in the past may rediscover it.