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Comment on Empathy and Spirituality by My theory based on a blog by ‘openpachute.wordpress.com’… « My journey of healing from psychological abuse

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:29:20 +0000

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Comment on Responding to Tragedies by Jonathan

Jonathan — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:25:38 +0000

Thanks Caroline! Sometimes I think that pondering is more helpful than any simple, neat bow. Feel free to share any of those ponderings here, I imagine we all have some pretty unique and vital insights on the matter!

Comment on Responding to Tragedies by Caroline Mullis

Caroline Mullis — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:27:48 +0000

Jonathan– You write so beautifully fluid about spiritual matters, but without the superfluous academic jargon. This topic cannot be tied up with a neat bow in the least but your writing allowed me to ponder the different options of our view of tragedy, which I have witnessed and experienced but not truly processed.

Comment on Responding to Tragedies by Hannah Rogers

Hannah Rogers — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:40:49 +0000

Here is a webiste with some great articles. Also, Babette Rothschild has a great book, “The Body Remembers: The Psycholophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment” which I have if you are interested. This was the topic I did my senior thesis on for my psychology degree, so I have many books if you are ever in need!

http://www.leadershipcouncil.org/1/res/brain.html

Comment on Responding to Tragedies by jonathan

jonathan — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:26:52 +0000

Thanks for sharing Hannah! Your son’s example shows what a lasting and permeating impact trauma can have. Trying to untangle how trauma affects our views of God and the world is so complex. Often it creates the feedback loop you describe: “ordinary” experiences become threatening and overwhelming and therefore more likely to re-traumatize. But I’m glad to hear that it is getting less prominent- the mind’s ability to heal is amazing! Definitely send along any links to other research.

Comment on Responding to Tragedies by Hannah Rogers

Hannah Rogers — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:14:22 +0000

Jonathan, this is beautiful. I also find this extremely fascinating because my youngest son has a rare form of PTSD called “Traumatic Developmental Disorder” where, because of a terrible trauma endured during his pre-verbal development, his cognitive flexibility was forever stained with the traumatic neurological responses. Basically, he responds to all things which are not expected as threats and reacts with a subconsciously-etched pattern of behaviors which mirror those with PTSD. Like a stain, it does get less prominent as he gets older, but there is a scar in his cognitive flexibility which is now part of his “wiring”. There is a great article on this, which I will try to dig up for you. Also, you might also look into the idea of “Neotony”, which is most prevalently understood in light of the Romanian Orphanage studies. Brilliant form, Jonathan! Brilliant!