Whether trauma will be a cruel and punishing Gorgon or a vehicle for soaring to the heights of transformation and mastery depends upon how we approach it.
Peter A. LevineRead
If frightening sensations are not given the time and attention they need to move through the body and resolve or dissolve, the individual will continue to be gripped by fear.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Acknowledging and processing fear is essential for resolution and overcoming it.
This quote emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to fully experience and acknowledge frightening sensations. Rather than suppressing fear, giving it time and attention enables individuals to process and ultimately resolve these feelings, preventing a continuous cycle of fear that can take hold of their lives.
Themes
FearProcessingResolutionAttentionCourage
In practice
Example use cases
During a therapy session, a counselor might use this quote to encourage clients to face their fears.
More from Peter A. Levine
All quotes βWe may forget, or be unaware of, how prevalent it is to be sexually traumatized by events that are generally not thought of as traumatizing.
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The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating. It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. And it can lead to a range of self-destructive behaviors.
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The paradox of trauma is that it has both the power to destroy and the power to transform and resurrect.
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When people have been traumatized, they are stuck in paralysis-the immobility reaction or abrupt explosions of rage.
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