Finding the wisdom in dissociation

This is what happens when you go deeper…

I worked with a man who said he suffered from dissociation. 

Dissociation can be disturbing and distressing. AND –

Dissociation is natural, organic, and ripe with nature’s inherent intelligence.

We only need to approach the soma and psyche with HIGH RESPECT, without an intention to remove it or fix it. Without an eye that pathologizes (sees dissociation as a symptom to cure). 

Shame twists your healing path, leading you to turn against yourself, wishing you were reacting differently, or simply believing something is wrong with you.

But there is another option: Facing all of your difficulties and symptoms – including dissociation – as if there is a deep message and meaning in them. As if they are invitations to embrace your wholeness like never before.

This is what it means to look with an eye that UNSHAMES. 

What happened in my time working with this man? I encouraged him, supported his nature:

"Go deeper. Allow yourself to dissociate. It's ok. Let go. Don't resist it for a moment. Let's learn about it."

He closed his eyes. More ease and peace surrounded his visage than before. 

I said, "Sometimes dissociation takes us away; you can go wherever you want. Where would you go if you were free."

He said, "To the mountains."

"Go ahead, let your dreaming mind take you to the mountains."

"I see the clouds and sky closer to me. I am above the ground."

"What's it like up there? How is it different than down here, where there is so much difficulty and trauma?"

"I hardly care about that. I don't pay attention to details. I simply feel and notice the tears in my eyes in response to all the human drama."

"Me too; I have tears as I feel into all the human drama and trauma."

We cried together; communed, connected. That capacity to simply weep and connect with another – that was pregnant in what was called "dissociation."

I witness these 'miracles' almost every time I work with someone who has experienced early abuse and trauma.

I follow, with all my love and skill, the unfolding process and direction of the person and the medicine they carry shows up.

I call that unshaming dissociation, unshaming trauma.

In my program Trauma & Abuse: The Unshaming Way, you’ll learn strategies and perspectives to help you look at dissociation from an unshaming view

When you join, you’ll receive…

• 6 pre-recorded trainings and Q&A sessions where David models the teachings in real time.

• Plenty of time for students to ask questions and get direction from me as you process through the theory and exercises (According to students, the most powerful part of the training is witnessing me model my approach with you on these calls).

• Additional recorded answers to students’ most burning questions on trauma & abuse.

• The option, if you desire, to be paired with another student in the course as a loving witness for one another, so you can continue to practice this work outside sessions.

Click here to join.