Chronic Aches, Pains & Everyone's Medusa Complex

JeremiahShanti · 11-19-2009, 06:45 PM

In this forum, I see a lot of discussions about yogis experiencing chronic pain that never seems to go away. Concepts from an amazing book called "Waking the Tiger" by Peter Levine gives valuable insight. I see his theories hold true for my patients and their recovery.

"Waking the Tiger" is about healing from mind/body trauma. Even if we never been through a war or natural disaster, we've all gone through events that were emotionally destructive.

We always hear about the body's fight/flight response in an emergency situation. BUT there is also something called the "freeze response". Notice you want to stop dead in your tracks or faint when you experience an event where you were powerless? You know- u feel like your legs have been pulled from under you cause they get so weak, you don't want to move and your breath just stops? This happens to animals too ie: possums "playing possum" and impalas dropping to a halt when death is imminent from the jaws of a lion. But the wonderful thing about animals is that they recover perfectly even after constant threats from predators! Why can't we humans do this? Actually we can.

Levine talks about the lessons of nature and of Greek Mythology- the story of Perseus slaying Medusa. In traumas, we take on the "Medusa Complex"- when you look into the eyes of death- you freeze.

Before Perseus slays Medusa, the goddess Athena warns him not to look at her directly or he'll turn to stone. Athena gives him her mirrored shield. Perseus uses the shield to reflect Medusa's image and slay her wickedness.

The advice of Athena is the advice of Mother Nature on how to recover from life's setbacks. Animals actually know how to move the nervous system out of the freeze mode.

Perseus' shield technique tells what to do when you are frozen from bad memories- you never want to confront/relive the trauma directly- you want to confront its reflection- the reflection is shown in your nervous system. In freeze mode, your body locks in energy that's why people can't move on emotionally, mentally or physically after a shattering event (anger and anxiety are forms of locked energy) .The nervous system wants you to release this pent-up energy so you can live happily and healthy ever after.

After Medusa dies, two things appear from her body: Pegasus- the winged horsed and a golden sword. The horse represents the vitality of the human body, its wings represent liberation and renewal from a trauma. The gold sword symbolizes truth because truth is the ultimate defense.

So recovering from trauma is a gift from the gods because you become more powerful. But remaining in trauma is hell on earth. Levine has some pretty cool exercises on how to release one's self from freeze mode. They are perfectly natural. We humans just forgot how to use the body. We're good at absorbing experiences but not good at releasing them: )

JeremiahShanti · 12-03-2009, 08:48 PM

I just realized I didn't make this clear-

Chronic pain & symptoms are a reflection of the emotional trauma we've been carrying. Since people aren't releasing the trauma, they express in their bodies ill health. Yes, the body is truly a reflection of the subconscious mind.

tessiesasha · 12-04-2009, 02:28 AM

does this include arthritis?

JeremiahShanti · 12-04-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tessiesasha

does this include arthritis?

Yes, I had a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. After a couple sessions with me, her doctor took her off disability.

Negative traumatic emotions greatly affect the autonomic nervous system which brings your body out of homeostasis. When the unconscious is unease- the nervous system is on the road to dis-ease. Besides emotional issues, BEST practitioners can also evaluate any dietary issues that maybe contributing to symptoms. 95% of the time, it's unprocessed emotions (frozen in the subconscious) triggering symptoms.

tessiesasha · 12-05-2009, 12:49 AM

i have RA too it hit a record high of 200 (a normal reading is 20 in blood test) at one point last year - i couldn't even squat down.

how i wish i can come to see you but am located at the other side of the globe unfortunately.

11-19-2009, 06:45 PM	#1
JeremiahShanti catvaarimshát Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 41	In this forum, I see a lot of discussions about yogis experiencing chronic pain that never seems to go away. Concepts from an amazing book called "Waking the Tiger" by Peter Levine gives valuable insight. I see his theories hold true for my patients and their recovery. "Waking the Tiger" is about healing from mind/body trauma. Even if we never been through a war or natural disaster, we've all gone through events that were emotionally destructive. We always hear about the body's fight/flight response in an emergency situation. BUT there is also something called the "freeze response". Notice you want to stop dead in your tracks or faint when you experience an event where you were powerless? You know- u feel like your legs have been pulled from under you cause they get so weak, you don't want to move and your breath just stops? This happens to animals too ie: possums "playing possum" and impalas dropping to a halt when death is imminent from the jaws of a lion. But the wonderful thing about animals is that they recover perfectly even after constant threats from predators! Why can't we humans do this? Actually we can. Levine talks about the lessons of nature and of Greek Mythology- the story of Perseus slaying Medusa. In traumas, we take on the "Medusa Complex"- when you look into the eyes of death- you freeze. Before Perseus slays Medusa, the goddess Athena warns him not to look at her directly or he'll turn to stone. Athena gives him her mirrored shield. Perseus uses the shield to reflect Medusa's image and slay her wickedness. The advice of Athena is the advice of Mother Nature on how to recover from life's setbacks. Animals actually know how to move the nervous system out of the freeze mode. Perseus' shield technique tells what to do when you are frozen from bad memories- you never want to confront/relive the trauma directly- you want to confront its reflection- the reflection is shown in your nervous system. In freeze mode, your body locks in energy that's why people can't move on emotionally, mentally or physically after a shattering event (anger and anxiety are forms of locked energy) .The nervous system wants you to release this pent-up energy so you can live happily and healthy ever after. After Medusa dies, two things appear from her body: Pegasus- the winged horsed and a golden sword. The horse represents the vitality of the human body, its wings represent liberation and renewal from a trauma. The gold sword symbolizes truth because truth is the ultimate defense. So recovering from trauma is a gift from the gods because you become more powerful. But remaining in trauma is hell on earth. Levine has some pretty cool exercises on how to release one's self from freeze mode. They are perfectly natural. We humans just forgot how to use the body. We're good at absorbing experiences but not good at releasing them: ) __________________ "Ignorance breeds the evils of collectivism." www.JeremiahShanti.com

12-03-2009, 08:48 PM	#2
JeremiahShanti catvaarimshát Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 41	I just realized I didn't make this clear- Chronic pain & symptoms are a reflection of the emotional trauma we've been carrying. Since people aren't releasing the trauma, they express in their bodies ill health. Yes, the body is truly a reflection of the subconscious mind. __________________ "Ignorance breeds the evils of collectivism." www.JeremiahShanti.com

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tessiesasha pañcaashát Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: where the heart is Posts: 55	does this include arthritis?

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tessiesasha pañcaashát Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: where the heart is Posts: 55	i have RA too it hit a record high of 200 (a normal reading is 20 in blood test) at one point last year - i couldn't even squat down. how i wish i can come to see you but am located at the other side of the globe unfortunately.