Trauma
as Initiation
What if the world is
undergoing a profound call to initiation? An opportunity for the transformation of
consciousness that could awaken us to a deeper, more authentic, more connected
way of being?
I proposed this blog post as
part of the launch for my memoir “Seduced into Darkness: Transcending My
Psychiatrist’s Sexual Abuse,” that articulates the potential for growth and
maturation that a descent into darkness can offer.
But that was before the
coronavirus stopped mankind in its tracks.
Now the entire species is confronted with what it will take to survive
this pandemic, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How will we renew ourselves and not sink into
despair and hopelessness?
In traditional cultures,
initiation rites are consciously integrated into the fabric of society, forcing
its young members to begin a quest of some sort, without the support of the tribe.
Next, something happens that is physically, emotionally, or psychically rupturing,
and the initiate fears she will not survive the test. Finally, having confronted her fears, and
risen to the challenge, the initiate returns to the tribe where the depth of
her learning is celebrated as she is welcomed back as a wiser, more respected
member of the tribe.
In western culture, we have
abandoned intentional rites of passage. Initiations often occur randomly, appearing
as traumas that disrupt the psyche of the victim. Alone and terrified by a shattering
experience, many such victims are abandoned by their communities, blamed for
their encounters with darkness. Isolated
and judged, they have no safe place to share their stories, process their
feelings, or celebrate the gifts of the journey that could help to heal their
tribe.
As a trauma therapist, I am
honored to provide a safe space where trauma survivors (initiates) can share
their stories, process their grief, rage at the injustices they suffered, and make
meaning of their experiences. In such a nurturing
container, trauma survivors can transform themselves from hapless victims, into
wise, balanced men and women capable of guiding others through underworld
journeys.
Ancient myths from the
beginning of time have articulated the challenges and gifts of the hero’s journey. I find it healing to view my own journey in
the context of the Greek myth of Persephone – the young, innocent maiden who is
abducted by Hades, God of the Underworld, raped, held captive, and then
rescued. In the end, she becomes not
only the Goddess of Spring, overseer of the cycles of nature, but also Queen of
the Underworld who guides lost souls navigating a trip through Hades.
The opportunity for renewal
that trauma affords is held deep within our collective psyche. More recently, the term “post-traumatic
growth” describes how many underworld travelers, or trauma victims report
transformative outcomes from staying committed to a process of personal growth
and development. Gifts of the journey
include: 1) claiming the strength that allows them to survive horrifying
experiences, 2) relating to others with more openness and compassion, 3) seeing
new possibilities for meaningful service as their priorities shift, 4) a greater
appreciation of life where they may have taken things for granted and 5) an
enhanced ability to find meaning in life.
As the world begins to emerge
from the corona crises how can we support the potential for our own growth and
a global awakening?
1. We must talk through all our
feelings, share our experiences, grieve our losses, and share our hopes and
dreams.
2. We must serve as witnesses who listen deeply
and help ourselves and others make meaning of our losses, our trials, and our
growth.
3. We must find a way to serve our communities –
to reweave the fabric that was ruptured during our isolation.
4. We must not succumb to avoidance through
addictions, busyness, denial.
5. We must recognize what became “essential” on
our journey and let go of excess, the distractions, the ego gratifying, but
soul dimming material accumulations.
6. We must claim our creativity and nurture our
individual and collective souls through writing, art, music, storytelling.
Let us create a culture that
welcomes back our initiates with open arms and ears, eager to hear the stories,
their pain and sadness, joys and accomplishments. Let us help them make meaning of their powerful
journeys and accept the medicine that their perspective brings.
Let us embrace the wisdom of
our underworld journeyers – the medical people who held the hands of those
dying alone, the grocery store workers who smiled at us beneath masks and
gloves, the people who got sick, faced death, and came back to tell their tales. And let us mourn for the many we lost, and
let them not die in vain.
We must not go back to
business as usual, but open our hearts and minds to the oneness this pandemic
has made us acutely aware of, and listen to its call to a great awakening.
About the Author, Carrie T. Ishee
Carrie Ishee has been a student of healing, human potential,
and consciousness for more than 35 years. Her quest to know herself began in
college when a severe health crisis compounded by her psychiatrist’s seduction
and sexual abuse shattered her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. After
doctoral studies in clinical psychology, she worked as a behavioral therapist,
pursued a master’s degree in art therapy, and later completed a two-year
training program in life coaching. Her work today is focused on helping victims
such as she once was break free from the suffocating shroud of trauma.
