Meditation has been used for over three millennia as a means of releasing trauma and fostering psycho-spiritual health. The reason that it has persisted for so long is quite simple: people who practice it get consistent and verifiable results.
This chapter includes evidence supporting the effectiveness of meditation in preventing and healing trauma. There is both scientific and anecdotal validation with this regard. Because of the extensive scope of this information, I am only able to touch upon a few examples here.
Clinical Evidence
There is a growing body of scientific knowledge on the efficacy of mediation in healing trauma. Some of it is referred to in the following quotes:
The following is from an article published in The Harvard Gazette.
“Studies have shown benefits (of mindfulness meditation) against an array of conditions both physical and mental, including…anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.”[1]
The quote below is from an article published by the American Psychological Association titled: “Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress; Mindfulness meditation can improve both mental and physical health.”
“In a review of mediation studies, psychology researchers found strong evidence that people who received MBCT were less likely to react with negative thoughts or unhelpful emotional reactions in times of stress.” (MBCT is a therapy that combines the practice of mindfulness meditation with cognitive behavioral therapy.)
Enhancing the Resilience of the Mind
One of the greatest gifts of meditation is that it increases our psychic resilience. Sooner or later in life most of us will be tested. Intense stresses, such as illness, the loss of a loved one, or aging cannot be avoided. But we can increase our ability to cope with them. Meditation helps us to do that by enhancing our ability to bend with the winds of life’s demands.
A Daily Habit
Meditation is not a quick fix. It works best as a daily habit that slowly and gently increases the capacity of the mind. For this reason, we shouldn’t wait until we are in an exigent situation to begin this practice. Rather, it is ideal, if possible, to do so in more stable times. That way it will be there to support us in times of need.
Making the Unconscious Conscious
“Ninety-five percent of thought, emotion, and learning occur in the unconscious mind – that is, without our awareness.” – Gerald Zaltman
Meditation gives the conscious mind access to information from the vast resources of the unconscious. If done gently and gradually over time, this can greatly empower the cognitive process.[2]
But like all powerful psychological tools, meditation should be used appropriately. The very means of its efficacy can create an exacerbation of symptoms in certain circumstances – such as when we initiate the practice with too much intensity, immediately after severe trauma. Meditation should always be done lovingly and gently. It should never be forced, but is, rather, a gradual unfolding over time.
The mind may need to repress aspects of the experience to protect itself directly after trauma. To uncover this material too abruptly without support or guidance could therefore be detrimental. That is why it is important to receive appropriate therapy and emotional support after experiencing severe trauma. If one does choose to develop the practice of meditation at such a time, it is best to do so gradually.
It should be noted that I am not promoting higher consciousness or soul awareness as a cure-all for resolving trauma. But these states can play an important role in that process.[3]
Anecdotal Evidence
Many cultures have embraced meditation because of its power to support spiritual growth and mitigate stress. The following are two stories from my travels in Southeast Asia that illustrate the latter.
I once met a man in Thailand who spent his days laboring in the fields. But every morning before donning his work clothes, he would always dress in impeccable white. When I asked him why, he explained it was for his daily meditation.
Curious, I asked him how he had acquired this habit. He looked at me as if the answer was obvious – and if I was from his country, it would have been.
This was his answer:
“All young Thai men are required to serve in the army. One of the first things we learn in our military training is how to meditate – and we are required to practice it regularly. The Army believes it makes us better warriors. Aside from helping us to overcome our emotions in combat, it greatly reduces the incidence of trauma and PTSD.”
His words evinced the effectiveness of transcendent awareness in the prevention and treating of trauma. He was from a Buddhist country in which the benefits of meditation were widely accepted – so much so that it was adopted by the military to protect the psychological health of its soldiers. It also helped impart in them the dispassion needed to defend their country if need be.
Another related anecdote was shared with me by a Western psychologist who volunteered to serve in disaster torn countries. Arriving in South East Asia soon after a village was destroyed by a tsunami, she was amazed at the comparably low level of emotional trauma. In other regions where she had served, a catastrophe of similar magnitude would have produced much higher levels of distress.
One day, she found herself crowded into the back of a pickup truck with a group of villagers who were being evacuated to higher ground. They had lost everything; and yet their mood seemed relatively sanguine. Determined to understand the secret to their equanimity, she queried a woman who was sitting next to her. The woman seemed quite relaxed, and was busy gossiping with her friends.
“How is it you are able to cope?” she asked.
The woman responded with a patient look, explaining to the “farang” (Thai slang for foreigners) what was common knowledge for the local people.
“When something bad happens, we go to the temple.” She replied simply.
Other than being given simple food and a bit of floor to sleep on, those who took shelter in the temples were required to take part in the daily practices of meditation and devotion. Thus, the temples in her country not only provided physical sustenance for those in need, but also the psychological skills needed to help heal their psyches as well.
There are countless stories from cultures that have adopted meditation because of its benefits. They bear witness to its power to promote psychological and spiritual well-being. This is further borne out by a growing body of scientific evidence.[4]
In a world so rife with stress, more and more people are finding meditation to be an invaluable tool.
[1] The article by Alvin Powell was published on April 9, 2018. The quote appears within a discussion of the benefits of meditation according to scientific studies. (Words in parenthesis were inserted by the author to preserve the contextual meaning of the sentence.) The reference for the article is: (news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/Harvard-researchers-study-how-mindfulness-may-change-the-brain-in-depressed-patients/)
[2] “The unconscious mind is way bigger than the conscious mind. Using tools to access its wisdom and self-organizing features is powerful medicine.” Quote by Kelly Carlin-McCall
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Quote by C.G. Jung
[3] How higher consciousness and the awareness of the soul can help heal trauma will be explained in the following chapter “Using Soul Consciousness to Heal Trauma.”
[4] “…when researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD sifted through nearly 19,000 meditation studies, they found 47 trials that addressed those issues and met their criteria for well-designed studies. Their findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, published suggest that mindful meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain.” Quote from January 8, 2014 article “Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress” By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter, published January 8, 2014 by Harvard Health Publishing. Web address: Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress – Harvard Health