Recovering our Soul as Embodied Aliveness and Authenticity
The human body is potentially a vessel of a profound process of transformation, encompassing the sensuous world of matter, the subtle realm, and the Absolute. The body is also a window to the depth of one’s human life and carries forward all of one’s experience, from infancy through to adulthood. The notion of truth pursued is the cornerstone for this examination of the effects of infant neglect, which has been unwittingly promoted in our culture over the last 90 years. Early trauma is not always visible, coherent, or easily described. This presentation will explore infant trauma due to neglect and provide an understanding of the psychobiological, depth psychological, and spiritual implications it can have on an individual, consciousness, and the culture as a whole.
Trauma is a living, dynamic phenomenon embedded in people’s everyday activities, encounters, and exchanges. It is experienced as regressing and advancing in a series of entanglements, multiple temporalities, selves, and environments. In each reverberation of neglect lies evidence for the infant that the world is unsafe and life threatening; the infant seeks escape where there is no escape. This takes the form of dissociation and a split of the psyche. The consequences are vast, including structures of defense that are difficult to unearth, a compromised immune system, and a distressing state living in the psyche that may explode or implode at any time. However, trauma has been shown to be regenerative; through embodied healing one can reconnect to one’s authentic aliveness and wholeness, whereby a profound compassion emerges, which has the ability to hold the complexity of the human experience. The traumas one endures and resolves within the body/mind seem to be a crucial part of opening to deeper levels of compassion while dissolving psychological conditioning, and awakening the spiritual heart which has the capacity to know the Absolute in its entirety.
Julie Brown Yau’s diverse 28-year background in psychological, somatic, and spiritual traditions provides her with a unique depth of knowledge and direct experience. She holds master’s degrees in spiritual psychology and depth psychology and is currently working toward her doctoral degree. Julie’s work is inspired by ancient wisdom, neurobiology, and the importance of embodiment to know the full vitality of life. Embodiment is crucial for maintaining Spiritual insights. Julie teaches somatic and contemplative practices, she also has a private practice in Laguna Beach CA. She specializes in Somatic Experiencing and NARM (NeuroAffective Relational Model) in the resolution of trauma. She also supports those who are actively dying to awaken to the multilevel cosmos. Julie assists both her students and patients to open to deeper dimensions within the body/mind and the living universe to experience authentic vibrancy and joy.
This video was recorded at SAND14 US.
