spirituality

The world tends to classify it as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)… but what if it’s not a disorder at all, but a special type of people who come to this planet with specific tasks, just like us, but with a different brain structure?

When we lived in Ukraine, everyone tried to “cure” my son… we were given countless tests, examinations, and everyone was trying to make him “normal”… society didn’t accept him… in fact, we were kicked out of church more than once for “inappropriate behavior.” 😂

After moving to Canada, I noticed the difference in how people here perceive individuals like him… no one tries to “fix” them here. Autism is not seen as an illness but as a condition where the brain works differently.

Thus, the goal for parents of autistic children is not to eliminate autism, but to help the individual fully unlock their potential, improve their quality of life, and minimize the difficulties they might face in everyday life. Here, parents proudly wear stickers and T-shirts with autism symbols, attend clubs, and socialize…

I began to wonder: if there is a whole community of people who came to this planet with a unique brain structure, what unites them, and why are they here? What can we learn from them?

1. They are always focused on themselves. They are not concerned with the opinions of others or what people think of them; they are centered in their own inner world.
2. They are honest and straightforward… they express their feelings sincerely and directly, which can sometimes shock others.
3. Their love cannot be bought… honestly, my dad tried, and it didn’t work! They feel and know your state and mirror it back to you immediately. If an autistic person wants to interact with you or give you a hug, it’s a big deal—most likely, you have an open heart. 💚
4. Routine and structure… these people love order and organization; it helps reduce their stress levels.
5. They express their emotions vividly and freely, regardless of where they are or who they are with at the time.
6. They are independent of social stereotypes. They exist outside the matrix, outside the system; you simply can’t fit them into it, even if you try.
7. They have a heightened sense of justice.
8. Their original thinking and unique brain structure enable them to make breakthroughs in science and other fields. For example, while autism wasn’t diagnosed in their time, people like Newton, Beethoven, Lewis Carroll, Michelangelo, and Mozart are believed to have had autistic traits…

All of this makes me wonder: should we stop trying to “fit” them into our boxes of normality and instead take a closer look at their “abnormality” and learn from them?

I remember my first spiritual mentor often said: “Want to learn something? Watch Mark and do as he does.”

Childhood trauma is a heavy burden to carry, leaving scars that often linger into adulthood. However, in my journey towards healing, I discovered the profound impact that spirituality and somatic experiences, such as yoga, can have on the process. Through a combination of connecting with my inner self and engaging in physical practices, I found a path towards healing and liberation from the chains of my past.

The first step in my healing journey was the awakening to the power of spirituality. I realized that healing went beyond just addressing the surface-level symptoms of my trauma; it required a deep connection with my inner self and a sense of purpose beyond my pain. Spirituality provided me with a framework to explore my beliefs, connect with something greater than myself, and find solace in the midst of my struggles.

Embracing Somatic Experiences:
As I delved deeper into my healing, I discovered the significance of somatic experiences. Somatic therapy allowed me to connect with my body, releasing stored trauma and emotions that had been trapped within me for years. Through practices such as breathwork, meditation, and yoga, I learned to listen to the wisdom of my body and honor its capacity to heal itself. These somatic experiences provided a safe space for me to process and release the pain that had been holding me back.

Connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit:
The integration of spirituality and somatic experiences became the cornerstone of my healing journey. By combining the introspective aspects of spirituality with the physicality of somatic practices, I found a holistic approach to healing. Through meditation, I learned to quiet my mind and create space for self-reflection. Yoga and movement allowed me to release tension and connect with the present moment. These practices helped me bridge the gap between my mind, body, and spirit, fostering a sense of wholeness and self-empowerment.

Cultivating Self-Love and Compassion:
Spirituality and somatic experiences also played a crucial role in cultivating self-love and compassion within me. Through meditation and mindfulness, I learned to observe my thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing myself to heal and grow with kindness and acceptance. By integrating self-care practices into my daily life, I began to prioritize my well-being and nurture a loving relationship with myself. This newfound self-love became a powerful antidote to the wounds of my childhood, creating a foundation for healing and transformation.

In my journey towards healing childhood trauma, I discovered the transformative power of spirituality and somatic experiences. Through connecting with my inner self and engaging in physical practices, I found a path towards healing, liberation, and self-empowerment. By embracing spirituality and somatic experiences, I was able to release the weight of my past, cultivate self-love, and embark on a journey of healing and growth. I encourage anyone who has experienced childhood trauma to explore these avenues, for they hold the potential to unlock the inner strength and resilience needed to transcend the pain and embrace a life of healing and wellbeing.

xoxo — Trauma Girl #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #PTSD #CPTSD #Spirituality

#ChronicPain #TraumaRecovery #CPTSD #PTSD #PTSDSupportAndRecovery #Spirituality #SpiritualAwareness #spiritualawakening #spiritualjourney

I grew up religious. I went to a Christian school and to church every Sunday. When I went to college, I went to church there and also joined a student ministry.

My bipolar hit spring of my sophomore year of college in 2017. It manifested as hyper religious mania. I went undiagnosed for the rest of 2017- the whole time thinking my manic episode was a spiritual experience and people just didn’t understand.

My second manic episode happened that fall. It was also hyper religious mania, but this time I had a psychotic break that led to trauma and finally a diagnosis of Bipolar I and PTSD.

After this episode, I tried to remain religious and spiritual and not “turn my back” on God and Jesus.

But it was just too hard to try to reconcile what had happened to me with the idea of a loving God. The questions of why bad things happen and how does God fit into my life apart from psychosis were too big for me to ignore. I was also incredibly hurt by the church and their inability to help me through both my manic episodes and the aftermath. I felt so alone, how could God be real?

So I broke up with God. I told him I might come back one day, but I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.

Fast forward five years. I was in my first year of grad school, finally doing what I dreamed. And I started to want to believe in something again. A higher power. Certainly not Jesus, but some kind of deity I guess.

It didn’t take long for me to realize I wanted to be a Christian again. It was what I grew up with. My family history. And I wanted it back.

I had my third manic episode a couple weeks after flirting with the idea of religion.

This one was the worst in terms of psychosis. Hyper religiosity once again, but with psychotic hallucinations of trauma.

I’m now healing and stable, but I’m struggling with discerning what was my sick mind and what could have been God.

It’s hard. But I want to know God.

I’m realizing my pursuit of God is not going to be the same as it was pre diagnosis. I have a lot to learn. But I’m learning.

This is a quote from C.S. Lewis’s the Chronicles of Narnia. It says, “you would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you.”

I like to think God had been calling me back this whole time, slowly melting my heart with every little reminder of him until I was ready to come home.

I hope it’s real and not manic musings.

#BipolarDisorder #Spirituality #Christianity

Thanks be to God that I was blessed with the energy to cook a solid meal for the first time in a couple of days. Scrambled eggs with olive oil, turmeric, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary; snap pea chips and white toast with sweet potato butter. It needs some work and may not look the best, but it was pretty tasty. Listening to music while cooking also really helped.

I’ve not felt the best in a minute, and my faith has suffered and weakened these past few weeks. I worked my first job recently for three days before my anxiety prevented me from holding it down. In a restaurant, too, to beat it all. All the while, I was struggling spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. It’s only slid further downhill from there. I haven’t read my Bible in a while either because I’m scared of what I might come across, and I haven’t been good at following its teachings in years.

I’m no good at self-care, but I’m trying to prioritize it more today. I went outside yesterday and sat in the shade while listening to music. It sounds hokey, but it made me feel a little better. I started picking up my room, as it was cluttered. I made my bed today and put some stuff away. I still need to do dishes and laundry and clean my drain. That’ll come soon, hopefully.

How do you engage in self-care?

#Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #Sadness #Spirituality #Religion #Cooking #Selfcare