The 3 Ds of Dealing with Traumatic Memories

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Trauma

DEFINITION OF TRAUMATIC MEMORY

Trauma is defined as a negative psychological reaction that is a direct result of an emotionally stressful experience such as abuse, injury, or combat. Each individual has a personal definition of what is traumatic for them so that what may be considered non-traumatic to one person is felt to be very traumatic by another. Therefore, the details of a trauma are not nearly as important as developing healing solutions to incidents that are perceived to be traumatic. It is not ethical for a healing practitioner to try to remove or change traumatic memories of their clients. However, there are some tools that can assist trauma survivors to reframe unpleasant past memories

THE 3 Ds

Healing is facilitated, not by changing the past, but by changing the perception of what happened in the past. I developed a process called the 3 Ds, when working with trauma survivors:

• Discover – Identify the original trauma. Trauma can surface as memories of past occurrences that go back as far as early childhood or even to past lives.
• Defuse – Use of various techniques to work with the after-effects of trauma.
• Develop – Creating a new reaction when the original traumatic memory is triggered. Install an anchor that activates a switch toward the new reaction.

DISCOVER

Traumatic memories may be conscious or they may be buried in the subconscious. However, there events that trigger these memories to surface. It is important to have a plan of action for when this occurs.

Be able to identify when a traumatic memory is triggered and be familiar with the symptoms of trauma. Short term symptoms of trauma may include hypervigilance, hypersensitivity, nightmares, mood swings, anxiety, phobias, amnesia, addictive behaviors, fear, or self-mutilation. Longer term effects may include chronic fatigue, chronic pain, depression, disassociation, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosomatic illnesses, or immune system problems.

The subconscious stores long term memories. All memories run along a network of neurons in the brain. The more often a memory occurs, the more the network connections are strengthened. Each time this pathway is traveled it becomes more deeply embedded in the mind. Beliefs are then created from this memory pathway.

A metaphor that illustrates this is that of a train running down a track. Each time a subsequent event triggers a traumatic memory, a train carrying thoughts and emotions, travels down a track to reach a specific reaction. This track is the neurological network in our brain. The more often the neurological network is traveled, the deeper the pathway becomes embedded or “hard-wired” in the brain.

DEFUSE

Defusing a traumatic memory includes deconstructing the traumatic incident and desensitizing the effects of the trauma. Some very effective techniques that hypnotherapists may use are:

• Employing desensitization techniques to remove the emotional charge of the memory.
• Doing an inner child rescue.
• Creating a protection entity such as a power animal, angel, spirit guide, or super hero.
• Creating a “peaceful place” that is an alternative to the “painful place”. This virtual safe place is created from a favorite place in nature.
• Working with the sub-personalities to develop an inner support system.
• If there is a perpetrator, understanding their motive during the trauma.

DEVELOP

A new destination (reaction) to the traumatic memory is created. The thoughts and emotions associated with the new destination should foster self-love, self-esteem, and self-empowerment.

If a new reaction is created, one that is desired more than the old familiar pattern, there is a new destination for the train to travel to. In order for the train to get there, though, there has to be a switch installed on the track.

The switch is a physical anchor, such as touching the body at a specific place. Identify a place on the body that is not usually touched. As the new reaction is visualized and felt, touch that specific place on the body. This new feeling becomes associated with the action of the touch. The next time the traumatic memory is triggered, the simply touch this place, recall the feeling of the new reaction, and the train now travels the new track. In this way the switch does double duty as a decision point and as a break state.

An additional aid in this process is to identify where the track of the traumatic memory exists in the consciousness. Then visualize the installation of a switch and a new track.

In this way, the old memory is preserved but there is a new reaction available as a new destination. The more often the new pathway is traveled, the stronger it will become until it is eventually “hard-wired” in the brain. The old track always remains but the train now travels down the new track.

RECOMMENDED READING

In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness – Peter A. Levine

Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Working with Traumatic Memory – Peter A. Levine

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma – Peter A. Levine

Quick Steps to Resolving Trauma – Bill O’Hanlon

Copyright © 2016 Drake Bear Stephen. Except where acknowledged. www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

Plainsure: How to Deal with Trigger Points

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Hypno-Massage, Massage, Plainsure, Trigger Points

INTRO TO MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy is as important to maintaining a healthy body as exercise and diet. However, most of us still view massage as a luxury.

Massage is the practice of applying various techniques of pressure, tension, motion, or vibration, to muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints and lymphatic vessels. There are many different styles and modalities of massage. And each massage therapist has their own unique style and techniques within any given modality. Sometimes, it takes a succession of trial massages to find the therapist that is just right for you.

The AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) list of benefits to therapeutic massage are:
– Improves posture
– Reduces blood pressure
– Reduces muscle spasms
– Reduces levels of anxiety
– Reduces pain and swelling
– Helps relieve mental stress
– Enhances athletic performance
– Strengthens the immune system
– Treats musculoskeletal problems
– Promotes deeper and easier breathing
– Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
– Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
– Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
– Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
– Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
– Fosters peace of mind and a feeling of well-being
– Rehabilitation for post-operatives and post-injuries
– Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
– Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
– Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
– Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
– Creates body awareness and increases awareness of mind-body connection

I get massage therapy once a week. I alternate weeks between two different types: traditional massage with deep tissue work and Rosen therapy. Rosen therapy uses a combination of muscle manipulation and pressure to release emotions and stories that are held in our muscles. So it is a combination of talk and massage. During traditional massage sessions, I don’t talk at all so that I be completely in my body, fully present to each moment of touch. As a Taurus it is very important to satisfy my sensual needs and as a predominately spiritual/intellectual soul, it is important for me to fully experience my physical body.

TRIGGER POINTS
Just as we have buttons that get pushed when we are triggered by emotions from others or from specific events, our physical bodies have buttons that are called trigger points.

A trigger point is a muscle knot or a small area of muscle tissue in spasm. It is an accumulation of waste products around a nerve receptor. Spasms physically reduce blood flow to the trigger point area, reducing oxygen supplied to the tissues.

Trigger points can occur in muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joint capsule, and scar tissue. They are most common in muscles that control movement of the body from side to side especially those used to maintain posture.

When a muscle is working, its fibers act like tiny pumps to circulate blood through the capillaries. A trigger point holds the muscle contracted, stopping blood flow. The resulting lack of oxygen and accumulation of waste products irritates the trigger point. The result is muscle fatigue, nerve irritation, soreness, and pain.

There are 2 types of trigger points:

Active: Causes pain with movement and compression and refers pain and tenderness to other areas, even when not being touched.

Latent: Is tender only under the area compressed and doesn’t refer pain elsewhere.

Possible causes of trigger points include: overload, overwork, fatigue, direct trauma, chilling, skeletal asymmetry, other trigger points, arthritic joints, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, toxicity, lack of exercise, poor posture, sleep disturbances, joint problems, sports injuries, repetitive stress, surgical scars, tension, age, and/or inflammatory conditions.

Characteristics of trigger points are:
– Edema
– Paleness
– Immobility
– Pain or tenderness
– Resistance to gliding strokes
– Increased perspiration at site
– Changes in thickness of tissue
– Muscle shortening with weakness
– Lumps felt in the muscles on palpation
– Bands, ropes, or string-like muscle fibers
– A twitch or jump response when touched
– Temperature change (area is usually colder)
– Symptoms of restricted movement, muscle stiffness and weakness, decreased range of motion, poor balance, buckling knees, and/or weak ankles

Treatments include:
– Massage
– Stretching
– Ultrasonography
– Electrostimulation
– Mechanical vibration
– Low level laser therapy
– Application of heat or cold
– Exercise for latent trigger points
– Injections (saline, anesthetics, steroids)

Massage treatment flushes the tissues and helps contracted muscle fibers release. There are 3 common massage methods are:

Trigger Point Pressure Release – Applying direct, firm pressure to the trigger point 10 seconds, released, then applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action. This flushes the toxins and releases endorphins.

Deep Muscle Stroking – Applying slow, deep pressure along the length of the muscle. The goal is to elongate the shortened, contracted muscle fibers that house the trigger point.

Strumming – Applying pressure perpendicular to the muscle fibers that contain the trigger point. This cross-fiber action forces muscle fibers apart.

PLAINSURE
Plainsure is a term I invented to describe the bittersweet feeling of trigger point manipulation and release. It consists of 3 components:

1. Pleasure
2. Pain
3. Pressure

The initial reaction to hitting on a trigger point is pain and jumping or twitching. The muscle(s) contract to resist the incoming pressure on the sore spot. Release of the pressure brings the pleasure.

There are 3 levels of release when a trigger point is treated:

1. The Physical Level – Biochemical toxins are released from the trigger point area, relieving inflammation and irritation.

2. The Emotional Level – As described by Dr. Kirk Prine in his book, Erotic Body Prayer, memories are held in our bodies. They are called body stories. When muscles are moved, energy blocks are release, and the associated emotion or body story can be released into consciousness.

3. The Energetic Level – Any blockage in the physical body will cause a blockage in the energetic body as well. There are many meridians that our energy flows along. A trigger point will trap energy which will be released during treatment. Also the energetic body may develop an energetic block from past wounds first and then they may manifest as trigger points in the physical body.

There are 3 primary ways to treat and help prevent trigger points:

1. Get regular massages from a professional, your partner, or yourself (the areas you can reach).
2. Maintain an alkaline diet. Acidic foods create toxins in the body that can build up at trigger points faster.
3. Exercise and stretch. A professional massage therapist can help you design a stretching regimen that will keep your muscles in shape. Another form of stretching, yoga, is also excellent for keeping the body toned and limber.

Perhaps because I love receiving deep tissue body work so much, it is my preference in giving a massage as well. I love to seek out those knots and ropes with my fingers. It’s a vicarious pleasure to me as I visualize feeling what I am giving as I give it. One of my clients nicknamed me the Moan Maker. Moans, groans, and jumping are appreciated because they help me identify the location of tight spots and indicate whether the intensity of touch may be too soft or too hard. In addition, breathing deeply and making noises are an excellent form of energetic release for the client.

Sometimes clients don’t realize how resistant they are touch. Their hyper-vigilance (as a defense and survival mechanism) keeps the muscles in a contracted state of holding. Guided meditation for relaxation helps relax the muscles. As a hypnotherapist, I have done hypno-massage. The client is first hypnotized with an induction that includes going to a peaceful place in nature. Then the massage commences with muscles that are in a much more relaxed state. This makes it easier for the therapist to manipulate the muscles and it’s easier for the client to receive. At the end of the massage, post-hypnotic suggestions of peace, relaxation, and well-being are given.

Copyright © 2014 Drake Bear Stephen. Except where acknowledged. http://www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

Need a Soul Makeover?

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Soul Makeover

Are you feeling the need for a soul make-over? In my soul sessions I use a combination of techniques from hypnotherapy, transpersonal psychology, shamanism, energy medicine, and metaphysics. A super-sized soul session is a series of sessions that provide you with an comprehensive health plan for your soul. Super-sized soul sessions can be done over an extended period of time or they can be done as an intensive personal retreat.

What is the benefit of having a soul make-over? The energy body, which overlays the physical body, is the home of the soul. It carries imprints from current and past lives. It also may have blocked energy from many different causes. If the energy can be freed or healed before these imprints descend to the physical body, then dis-ease and accidents can be avoided. In addition, having a healthy energy body will make you feel good; good enough to be the creative and self-empowered person you want to be. Now it is more important than ever before to create and maintain a healthy energy body because as we ascend from 3rd dimension to 4th, the physical body will fade away and the only vehicle for our soul will be the energy body. There are specific rituals that can be done now to facilitate your ascension journey. For example, activating your DNA. Working on clearing, healing, and enlightening the energy body creates a state of luminosity called the luminous body, the light body, or the rainbow body. This new luminous body has a higher energetic vibration. This higher vibration attracts positive energy into your life, including prosperity, health, and new loving relationships.

The specific agenda for super-sized soul sessions depends on your unique needs. In general, it can include:

• Conference Room Work
• Peaceful Place Guided Meditation
• Grounding & Protection Guided Meditation
• Illumination (core cause identification & clearing)
• DNA Activation
• Childhood and Pre-birth Regression
• Entity Extraction
• Crystallized Energy Extraction
• Power Animal Retrieval
• Spirit Guide Retrieval
• Higher Self Retrieval
• Inner Guide Retrieval (Inner Mate & Inner Parents)
• Soul Retrieval & Soul Empowerment
• Body Part Retrieval
• Soul Release Ritual
• Past Life Regression
• Between Life Journey
• Future Life Progression
• Somatic Healing
• Aura & Chakra Repair
• Cord Cutting
• Contract & Vow Cancellations
• Reiki or Reiki Massage
• Essential Oil Therapy
• Meridian Tapping
• House, Workplace, or Vehicle Clearing
• Naming Ceremony
• Rite of Passage Ceremony
• Despacho & Fire Ceremony
• Creation of a Daily Soul Plan

To sign up go to DrakeInnerprizes.com/soulsessions.htm

Copyright © 2014 Drake Bear Stephen. Except where acknowledged. http://www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

5 Dimensions of Consciousness

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Brain Wave State, Dimensions of Conciousness

There are many different models of the dimensions of consciousness or planes of existence. They range from as few as 4 levels to as many as 31 levels in the Buddhist tradition. The most popular models use 7, 9, or 12 levels. These models are limited to this galaxy/universe. Those models that go beyond have as many as 352 dimensions.

Science is not yet sophisticated enough to prove what the dimensions are but it is provable that alternative dimensions to our world do exist.

Dimensions or planes can be thought of as density layers or different energy vibrations. They all exist simultaneously alongside of our familiar 3^rd dimension world. They could also be called parallel worlds.

Each dimension has its own properties and energetic resonance. Only those that resonate with this energetic level will be able to inhabit this dimension.

Our consciousness exists on all density levels but we are not aware of it. We can access other dimensions in altered states of consciousness. For example to access 3D we are in the beta brainwave state. 4D requires alpha brainwave state to access it and 5D requires the theta brainwave state to access it.

The levels that we are most familiar with are the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th dimensions as described below:

• 3^rd Dimension (3D) Everyday life as we are incarnated on Earth. What the shaman calls the middle world or ordinary reality.
• 4^th Dimension (4D) The astral plane or energetic vibration just beyond our physical, incarnate existence. Recently departed souls can pause here before traveling forward into the spiritual realm. In this dimension we can experience telepathy, out-of-body experiences, mysticism, and communicate with incarnated and discarnated beings. Ego remains with us in 4D.
• 5^th Dimension (5D) The realm of pure soul, pure love. Also called the Afterlife, Heaven, Bardo, Inbetween, Interlife, Between Lives, Spirit World, Subtle World, The Other Side, or Beyond the Veil, it is where our spiritual team of guides and teachers reside, and is the abode of our higher self. Even though we leave the 5D to incarnate into a body on earth, a portion of our energy or soul always remains on the 5D plane.

The theory of ascension is that Earth is gradually transitioning from 3rd-dimensional consciousness to 4th-dimensional. (I will cover ascension in a separate post.)

Of course, there must also be 1^st and 2^nd dimensions and there are dimensions above the 5^th but they are not very apparent from our viewpoint in the 3^rd dimension. Usually the first two dimensions have these or similar definitions:

• 1^st Dimension (1D) – The world of elementals, nature spirits, rocks, and plants. These beings do not have individual personalities.
• 2^nd Dimension (2D) – The world of animals and the little people (dryads, sprites, fairies, leprechauns, elves, and pixies). These beings do not have individual souls or personalities but share a group soul.

Another interesting way to view dimensions is this model that covers the first 5 dimensions of a 12 dimension scale:

Dimension	Awareness of Dimension	Residents of Dimension
1st	As a point	Minerals, water and genetic code
2nd	As a point and line	Plant kingdom and lower animal kingdom
3rd	As a point, line, width and breadth, height and volume	Human beings and the higher animal kingdom
4th	As a point, line, width and breadth, height, volume and time	Etheric astral body aka higher human
5th	As a point, line, width and breadth, height, volume, time and spirit	One-ness of God/Goddess/All That Is. Our Higher Selves live in Unconditional Love, Unconditional Forgiveness, and Unconditional Acceptance.

In my work, I collapsed the dimensions down to 5 layers as shown here:

• 1^st Dimension – Unconsciousness. Beings that do not have individual awareness. Sometimes we have the ability to sense or see beings in the 1st dimension.
• 2^nd Dimension – Group Consciousness. Beings that have a group soul (animals).
• 3^rd Dimension – Individual Consciousness. Beings with individualized souls and personalities (humans).
• 4^th Dimension – Universal Consciousness. The group consciousness that all souls can tap into. Spirits/beings who reside here have an energy body no physical body. Here is where the Akashic records are stored. Also known as “the other side of the veil”, we can travel here in altered states of consciousness while incarnated, such as sleep, hypnosis, journeying, astral travel, etc. Sometimes we have the ability to sense or see beings in the 4th dimension.
• 5^th Dimension – Source/Creator/Great Spirit/Universal Life Force Consciousness. This is the God consciousness that overlays or surrounds all other dimensions. It is where we came from and where we will return to. Not much is known about this dimension because we are not yet ready to experience it. However, we are evolving towards it.

Copyright © 2014 Drake Bear Stephen. Except where acknowledged. http://www.DrakeInnerprizes.com