Presence is the absence of trauma.

Presence is the absence of trauma

In Michael Ray's book, 'The Highest Goal' he speaks of the potentiality within each of us to be connected to, and expressive of, a higher truth. A connection to something greater and the ability to be a conduit for how we experience this greatness and the qualities that are the essence of that. He shares that a purposeful goal of a life well lived, is to be in alignment with this experience of connection, truth or larger aspect of life, and to live our lives with it as our guiding force.  

This speaks to me deeply.

A beautiful quote in the book is “On this globe, there is almost endless diversity. Nevertheless, the greater fact is that when it comes to the treasures of the soul, differences vanish. In the place of heart only one light shines, this light is the same in all beings. Unveiling this truth, becoming established in the experience of this light, is the goal of any spiritual pursuit" 

I love this quote, and I love his book. 

To discover your own highest goal he asks you to consider the most meaningful thing you did this last week, and then question why this was so important or meaningful to you.

When you have connected with this, continue with the inquiry, 'why is this so important to me?’ over and over again, until you reach a single word, or few words, that encapsulates the essence of what is meaningful to you. 

In my case, in this recent instance, I draw reference to a session I just had with a client as the most meaningful thing this last week. It was meaningful because I felt that my presence, and me living close to what is true in me, made a difference. Contribution. Love. Compassion. Care. Connection. Presence. All of those essential qualities were present. All of which are guiding values in my life and aspects of my true essence. 

In my practice, when people fist come to see me, 90% would have as their highest goal, to remove the veils, wounds, trauma's etc. and uncover the essence of their authentic self, and their true expression of it.

Most of them have been disconnected from this since they were very young, and long to live and breathe in this truth. To be in constant connection to this inner truth.

When we are in such deep, unaltered connection to ourselves, living from what is truly important and aligned with what is meaningful to us, our ability to be the conduit or channel for these higher qualities expands greatly. And life becomes infinitely more meaningful and purposeful. 

Why am I sharing this? 

Because many of us live disconnected from this fertile ground of authenticity, and consequently from our greater purpose or contribution in life. 

And trauma can do this to us.

Trauma can sever us from the very qualities we need to be connected to in order to thrive.

In order to maintain the attachment to our caregivers when young, many of us learned to suppress who we really are and instead modify our expression to ensure our either physical or psychological survival. Disoconnecting not only from ourselves, but also from that ‘something greater’ that holds us in its invisible arms. 

We construct any number of adaptations, defences and distortions that create a false sense of self and distorted self-perception, and we identify with this false self, believing that this is who we really are. Making choices in the world from this false perspective of ourselves. 

What is important to know is that beneath this false self is the authentic self, waiting for the veils of deception to be lifted. It has always been there, just like the sun, hidden behind the clouds. 

There are 3 things I’d like you to know about the authentic self;

1. Your authentic self is not something you create; it’s something that is revealed when all that you have created as a false self to protect it is realised and integrated. 

1. It is the raw, real, unguarded essence of you.

1. It holds the freedom, peace, presence and deep connection you’ve always longed for and often seek outside of yourself to find. 

When we talk about healing, what we are referring to is the process of dismantling the false self, layer by layer, so that what remains is the truth of your essence underneath. And from this truth, unencumbered from the past and all that happened to dim your light, the core qualities that were designed to shine through you can illuminate both you and all those you touch. 

This is where body-centred trauma work intersects with spirituality. A divine meeting point that offers a gateway to deeper connection, light, essence, truth and presence. 

The body that we live in is our vessel; our home; for our life on earth as a human, and also the carrier of our spirit. When the body is encumbered by densities and blockages related to unresolved material from the past, trauma, wounding etc. the light that we actually are within, the presence that is our natural state, simply cannot shine, and instead we carry our burdens like weights on our shoulders. Instead of light we feel heavy.

Ultimately, what heals is presence.

1. The presence of a loving witness that helps us be with ourselves for long enough to learn to be present with ourselves.

2. The discovery of the sense of presence that is available to us once we have released the emotional and physical burdens our body carries from the past.

Presence is in fact, the absence of trauma. 

If we are on a healing and spiritual path, it must include working with the body to resolve and unwind the trauma and binds of the past that act as clouds over the sun. 

And in so doing, we meet not only the authentic self, but also the qualities of true essence that exist beyond the personal, in each and every one of us as representations of higher truth. 

This is the ultimate goal of therapy.