The Nature of Consciousness
The Nature of Consciousness
Trauma profoundly impacts our bodies, minds, and spirits. It is not merely a single event; it is a rupture that alters the course of our lives, leaving us fragmented and disconnected. Trauma disrupts our sense of self, yet within this disruption lies the potential for transformation.
When trauma occurs, it creates a split in our identity. One part of us freezes in the traumatic moment, while another part adapts and moves forward. This division leads to dissociation, where we feel detached from our emotions, our bodies, or even reality itself. As PahPah explains, "Trauma isn’t just a memory—it’s a disruption that freezes parts of who we are. Consciousness is the process of unfreezing, reclaiming, and reintegrating those parts, so we can move forward whole."
Trauma influences our behaviours and responses and is often passed down through generations, subtly shaping family dynamics. The trauma of one generation, left unresolved, becomes the burden of the next, and so it persists as part of our shared human experience. Recognising trauma’s effects on both our lives and our relationships opens us up to a journey of conscious healing. This journey is not about erasing trauma but rather integrating the frozen parts of ourselves into a renewed sense of wholeness.
Wayama reflects on this transformative process, saying, “Real transformation happens when someone faces their trauma and works through it until they find balance. When harmony is restored, it brings freedom not only to them but also to the people around them. Deep down, at a cellular level, we all know what this harmony feels like—this sense of being ‘OK.’” She adds, “At the heart of trauma lies something far greater than just our individual experiences. Trauma is connected to the whole. Sometimes, in moments of sudden transformation, we can feel ourselves connecting to this bigger truth.”
PahPah prompts us to examine what healing truly means: “What is healing? We use this word like we know what it means.” Her question invites us to think about healing not as a return to a former state, but as a deeper journey of self-awareness and integration—a path that allows us to be shaped and even strengthened by what we’ve encountered.
This process of consciousness, or mindful healing, requires patience and self-compassion. It invites us to confront the parts of ourselves we may have avoided, bringing them back into alignment with who we are now. The path is not linear, and there is no single "right" way. For some, healing means standing up to what has harmed them; for others, it involves learning to live with uncertainty and finding strength even in vulnerable moments.
In communal settings, Wayama has observed profound transformations. She describes ceremonies at Orion’s, where individuals experience real change through shared ritual. “Of course, it is true and genuine in their heart. This profound motivation comes from somewhere deep inside us and is like we are feeling the heart shining and now must clear the rays so we become transparent. Once transparent, the steps appear before us… like magic!”
She further explains the recurring nature of trauma and the need for a collective approach: “Trauma isn’t just a one-time experience; it repeats through generations, affecting us all. Instead of treating trauma with shock as if it’s unexpected, we need to acknowledge its presence and work together as a community to address it.”
For Wayama, self-honesty is essential to healing. She explains, “We each know our own trauma and the ways it affects us. Only our inner self and heart truly understand this personal experience. To begin healing, we need to be honest with ourselves. Once we’re honest, we can start creating a different internal experience and find the right tools to support this journey.”
Drawing a parallel to physical and psychological practices, Wayama adds: “In physical rehabilitation, we often have to relearn how to move. We apply a similar approach in psychology through reparenting, which involves relearning emotional responses. Both are steps toward reducing suffering and living from the heart.”
In understanding trauma as a shared human experience, Wayama notes, "Fear shapes how we live, even in the smallest actions. When we understand that trauma is part of the collective experience, we can begin to see consciousness not as fixing what's broken but as holding each other through it." Trauma, then, is not something we can avoid but something we must learn to navigate together.
Consciousness from trauma means recognising our interconnectedness. Just as trauma ripples through generations and communities, so too does healing. When we hold space for one another, when we meet suffering with compassion and love, we begin to transform the wounds that once divided us. Trauma doesn’t have to be a permanent fracture—it can be a gateway to deeper understanding, connection, and wholeness.
Ultimately, the journey through trauma teaches us that consciousness is not about returning to who we were but about becoming who we already are. By embracing both our individual and collective experiences with openness and care, we move from merely surviving trauma to thriving beyond it, together.
