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Transformation Matters

Gradual Trans-formation Toward 

Goal(s)

Through deliberate practice of meditation, contemplation, self-inquiry, and participatory practices we can expand our sense of self and being. The goal directs us on the path with clear intentions and aspirations. Goals may be focused on health and well-being (e.g. stress reduction), emotional intelligence (e.g., development of empathy and compassion), spiritual liberation (enlightenment), or other. 

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Practices in support of gradual transformations: 

  • mindfulness meditation and contemplation

  • deconstruct self-identities

  • explore self-conceptions 

  • nurture inner ways of knowing

  • work with the "chatter" mind (stories, thoughts, obsessions)

  • explore subtle energy

  • integrate mind, body, heart, and consciousness

  • foster deep understanding of oneself and the world

  • let go of goals, enjoy the path, and let be

  • work with shadows (unconscious aspects of your personality which the conscious ego does not admit of having)

  • observe states of consciousness you were not aware of

  • participate in the mystery of the unknown

  • more.

Path of Gradual Trans-formations

Spontaneous 

Trans-formations 

Spiritual peak-experiences may catapult us into non-ordinary states of consciousness. Examples of spontaneous individual transformations entail out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, experiences of awe in nature, spiritual divine (Spirit), Christ consciousness, nondual states of consciousness, or extraordinary timelessness and spaciousness in meditation. 

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Such peak-experiences may threaten our ordinary self conceptions and what we believe is true to the point of fragmenting our self (spiritual emergencies). It may feel like having jumped from a cliff in free-fall without sensing any ground. We simply cannot make sense of what is happening in the moment and want to hide our experience from ourselves and others. On the other hand, such peak-experiences experiences may provide us with new insights of the mystical and unknown through the felt sense of subtle states of consciousness. We may feel awe, joy, happiness, and unconditional LOVE. These kind of personal non-ordinary states of consciousness are challenging to measure with conventional scientific approaches. Opening to spiritual peak-experiences may be experienced as extraordinarily liberating. 

Practices to integrate spontaneous experiences into self, life, and relations with others:  

  • ground and center yourself through mindfulness meditation

  • accept non-ordinary experiences as strange as they may appear to your ordinary ego/self

  • integrate fragmented parts into your psyche

  • learn to verbalize, paint, dance, write about, or express artistically mystical, non-ordinary states of consciousness

  • talk/share your spiritual peak-experience with somebody who is open to listen non-judgmentally without  pathologizing you (e.g., labeling you as "crazy")

  • deepening the love you experienced 

  • personalizing your spiritual encounters to make them your own

  • turn private spontaneous transformations into something larger for the benefits of others/communities

  • more.

Practices to Integrate SpontaneousTrans-formations

Trans-formations Induced by Trauma 

Event-based trauma (e.g., injury, disaster, abuse, assault, massive loss) are deeply disruptive and distressing experiences, shocking aversive events. A crisis, like the Coronavirus pandemic, that disrupts our lives in so many ways, may shake up our core of being. Other types of trauma are intergenerational or relational trauma. These trauma are profoundly debilitating and involve loss in human connection (e.g., neglect or lack in nurturing and loving child-parent/caregiver/partner experiences or failures in human and social connection). Many of us have suffered emotional neglect or abuse in significant relationships from the absence of attunement, resonance, or feeling felt. 

 

Trauma may result in disturbing bodily-based symptoms (disembodiment),  dissociation, emotional and mental suffering (e.g., feelings of emotional paralysis), inability to emotionally self-regulate (specifically in stressful situations), a disregulated nervous system, social anxiety or disconnections, and hampered personal and interpersonal relations. 

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Post-traumatic stress can be turned into feeling secure and post-traumatic growth. Such transformation often involves hard work focused on healing of emotional and inner wounds and embodiment.  

Practices to work with painful trauma, foster healing, gain a sense of security, being felt and seen, and open to moment-to-moment experiences:  

  • sense your breath and body

  • become aware of moment-to-moment experiences and memories, even if painful

  • practice mindfulness meditation

  • visualize places and people you feel safe with

  • embody fragmented parts of self

  • relate to your self in new ways through reframing trauma

  • talk to a psychologist or trauma therapist 

  • turn toward fear, depression, grief or other feelings

  • more.

Practices to Foster Healing and Security  

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