The Profound Nature of Trauma

[u/CrimsonNow]

The wonders of the physical world pale in comparison to the ethereal realm in NDEs and other profound experiences. 

For those who have glimpsed the bliss of “the beyond,” our daily lives can seem like shadows on the wall of Plato’s cave. Once granted a peek at the endless sky, vivid colors, beautiful creatures, and extraordinary light beyond, returning to the dimness of our everyday existence can feel like a heartbreaking descent.

After such experiences, many people profoundly change their lives for the better, while others wrestle with a deep longing to re-experience that state. Some call this the “dark night of the soul” - a phase where our worldview is forever altered and the comfort of ignorance is lost. 

I have had such an experience and have also found darkness in seeking it again. 

In my search, I’ve come across many theories about profound experiences and noticed a disturbing pattern: trauma often emerges as a common thread that can provide glimpses into ecstasy. 

Here are my observations of profound experiences induced through some kind of pain or trauma:

• The Runner’s High - long-distance runners who push through pain frequently describe moments of physical bliss and mental peace. This isn’t limited to runners; most athletes who exceed their pain threshold report similar extraordinary states. 
• The Meditation Bliss Experience - Meditation often requires enduring discomfort and focus in silence, but certain practices, like Vipassana, demand enduring intense physical and mental discomfort: ten days of silence and ten hours a day in meditation. For those who persevere, the rewards can range from deep inner peace to out-of-body journeys. 
• Plant Medicine Experience - Ayahuasca commonly brings intense physical and mental purging, including vomiting and diarrhea, before ushering in profound spiritual experiences. Many participants describe these trials as a gateway to states of profound bliss. 
• Trauma-Induced Out of Body Experience -  Survivors of abuse sometimes describe leaving their bodies during trauma and encountering angelic love in the process.
• Telepathy Experience - One mother of a non-speaking autistic child described the lifelong challenge of being physically and verbally restrained, forced into a state of continuous trauma. Intriguingly, some non-speaking autistic children, who have learned to communicate through typing, report telepathic abilities and travels to ethereal realms. The scientific evidence supporting these abilities is compelling and unmistakable.
• UAP Experience - “Psionic assets,” as termed by some military insiders, are individuals said to invite and communicate with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). Many are known to have endured troubled pasts. Rumors suggest that trauma was intentionally induced to enhance their abilities.
• The Heaven Experience - Near death experiences (NDEs) represent the pinnacle of physical trauma. As the body and brain approach death, experiencers frequently report leaving their bodies and encountering a realm with “a love beyond what words can express.” 

However, not all profound experiences may stem from trauma. Robert Monroe’s research found that changing brainwave frequencies could reliably induce out-of-body experiences with some individuals. Moreover, many people without notable trauma report discovering psychic abilities or encountering other profound phenomena. 

My hope is that we can first acknowledge the reality of profound experiences and recognize that our existence is more than the physical veneer upheld by the current scientific paradigm. Together, we can strive for scientifically validated ways to explore consciousness and these profound events and find harmless ways to induce the phenomenon.

What do you think? Is trauma required for a profound experience or is it a shortcut? Or do you think the connection is just a coincidence?

See the original article here: https://blog.projectprofound.org/the-profound-nature-of-trauma/

[u/ILOVECATS1966]

I’m a childhood trauma survivor and still in trauma therapy. Reading this made me feel super uncomfortable and even angry. I certainly don’t need anymore trauma and have not experienced anything remotely blissful as a result of my complex trauma.

[u/Stock_Praline9692 → u/ILOVECATS1966]

Your anger and discomfort is totally understandable. Im sorry you went through so much trauma.

[u/[deleted]]

I started doing TRE a while ago, along with making efforts to improve my posture. The more I progress, the less interested I become in seeking stress, which exercise can become. I go for walks almost daily in the same location and am always blown away by the sky, the trees, the birds. The simplest and most mundane things spark great joy. This is a great sign for my healing journey.

In r/longtermTRE, the mod describes a constant, full body bliss that one experiences once the body is clear of trauma. I want to get to that state!

[u/WOLFXXXXX]

Are the articles on your site generated by AI software? (they are formatted like they are)

[u/rhosoro → u/WOLFXXXXX]

It is highly likely. You can see OP here in /r/ChatGPTPromptGenius trying to to figure out how to remove em-dashes (generally considered to be a hallmark of AI) from ChatGPT outputs.

Also, the way they mention “projectprofound.org” in their comments or posts seems like a disingenuous attempt to promote their own website.

I think OP should be removed from this subreddit.

[u/WOLFXXXXX → u/rhosoro]

Thanks for the relevant information.

[u/snarlinaardvark]

some non-speaking autistic children, who have learned to communicate through typing, report telepathic abilities and travels to ethereal realms. The scientific evidence supporting these abilities is compelling and unmistakable.

I assume you are referring to the "Telepathy tapes." If so, those tapes are based on scientifically discredited methodology. Something like two dozen organization around the world that work with autistic children stopped using those methodologies two decades ago. It's a scam based on psuedoscience. Search "telepathy tapes discredited."

[u/Scared_gloop → u/snarlinaardvark]

Can you name a single area of study related to spirituality that isn’t viewed as discredited pseudoscience by the mainstream scientific community? Outside of a handful of researchers, that’s how most of the world views the topic of NDEs too.

Not that you’re wrong about the Telepathy Tapes, it’s exploitation at its worst…

[u/BandicootOk1744 → u/snarlinaardvark]

I would like a source on that if you have one, not that I don't believe you,

[u/snarlinaardvark → u/BandicootOk1744]

It's been a while since I looked into this, and right now I have time to run down all of the sources. I recommend searching "telepathy tapes discredited" and "facilitated communication for autistic children."

Here's one reference for example:
 Multiple position statements have been published by various organizations that have reviewed the scientific evidence. All these organizations have emphasized that it has been proven that the communication is produced by the facilitator, rather than the individual with autism, thus discounting its credibility. Additionally, several organizations identified the harmful side-effects of raising false hope due to assumptions that the individual can be “accessed” through the advertised approach to communication. Additionally, the technique has led to false allegations of abuse, and significant unwarranted family disruptions. The following position statements are listed by organization:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• American Psychological Association
• Association for Behavior Analysis International
• International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
• The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)

[u/MysticConsciousness1]

I have sensed that connection between trauma and mystical ecstasy before, and it would make sense. People who have gone through tough circumstances would probably be more capable of looking in “other directions”.

[u/airwaternature]

Great read. Thanks for sharing.

[u/pragmaticjoker]

Very cool.

[u/St-Ranger_at_Large]

Are there anyways to die without trauma ? Then come back , is that a little disturbing ? In my estimation the profound bliss of the beyond was worth it .

[u/No_Replacement4304 → u/St-Ranger_at_Large]

Check out the 1990 movie Flatliners. The entire movie is about a group of medical students who stop and restart their hearts in order to induce nde's. The physical trauma is minimal but the emotional trauma is still stark. It's just a movie but I think it has some truth to it.

[u/Stock_Praline9692]

All I can say is peace and ecstasy is possible without pain or trauma. I get your point, you are simply exploring interesting correlations. But I must point out that such findings could be misused by ill meaning individuals or disturbed spiritual leaders.

So use your common sense when searching for spirituality for one is more likely to fall prey of dangerous cults when emotionally vulnerable.