Resources: Working with Fear and Trauma

Fear and Trauma

Most of us, in some way, struggle with fear—instinctually tensing against it or becoming overwhelmed by it. Shifting our relationship with fear is central to the evolution of consciousness. While fear is a natural, intelligent emotion, when it goes into overdrive, we are in a trance that contracts our body, heart and mind. Our resistance to fear sustains this trance and perpetuates our suffering. As we learn to attend to fear with mindfulness and care, its grip loosens, and we reconnect with our full aliveness, wisdom and love.

Working with Trauma and PTSDFree PDF: Meditation Practice Guidelines: Working with Trauma & PTSD 

Every body and mind is unique, and we each need to experiment and customize our daily meditation practice in a way that most serves our awakening and freedom. This is especially important for those with PTSD, as the classic mindfulness instructions can potentially lead to a sense of emotional overwhelm.

Modifying your meditation practice in ways that bring a sense of safety and stability is key to making meditation accessible and healing.

NOTE: This site is not intended to diagnose or treat any physical or mental health condition. If you are in crisis, or in need of immediate assistance, find help here:
https://yourlifecounts.org/find-help/#

Below are some resources to help you explore your relationship with fear:

Talks on Working with Fear and Trauma

Fear and Love

Fear and Love

Only when we face our fears can we discover the freedom to love without holding back. This talk looks at how unprocessed fear contracts our body, heart and mind, and on a...

read more
Facing Fear in a Traumatized World

Facing Fear in a Traumatized World

Unprocessed fear cuts us off from our full aliveness and spirit, and it separates us from others. This talk looks at how we bring healing to the trauma and deep fears that cause...

read more
Transforming Two Fears: FOF and FOMO

Transforming Two Fears: FOF and FOMO

There are two common fears that can block us from our full potential - fear of failure (FOF), and fear of missing out (FOMO). This talk explores how to meet these fears with...

read more

Meditations on Working with Fear and Trauma

Other Resources on Working with Fear and Trauma

Blog: Can You Medicate Meditation?

Blog: Can You Medicate Meditation?

The use of anti-depressants by those involved in meditation practice is a very hot topic. Students often ask me things like, “If I take Prozac, isn’t that as good as giving up?...

read more
Blog: The Trance of Fear

Blog: The Trance of Fear

All of us live with fear. Whenever fear takes over, we’re caught in what I call the trance of fear. As we tense in anticipation of what may go wrong, our heart and mind contract....

read more
Blog: The Space Between the Logs

Blog: The Space Between the Logs

This is from a poem that I love. It’s called, “Fire” by Judy Brown. What makes a fire burn is the space between the logs, a breathing space. Too much of a good thing, too many...

read more

Donations

Please consider a donation of any size—your generosity allows us to offer these talks and meditations freely.

New to Meditation?

FAQ for Meditation

Resources to support your meditation practice.

Meditation with Tara Brach