Pre-cannabis, my experience with talk therapy. Can you relate?

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As you may know, my emotions release work embraces the judicious use of cannabis to help us spelunk our Inner depths. This is called “Shadow work” and I’ve gotten a lot of feedback regarding this. It’s heartening to know that so many are also exploring this path as I discuss in this week’s blog.

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I talked about “shadow work” recently and how it’s pivotal for Inner healing. Shadow work must happen for us to release the difficult emotions that spawn dysfunctional behavior patterns, keeping us in a state of high emotional alert and relationship drama. The shadow work is what we need to do to create an entirely new way of living that anchors us in a state of wellbeing.

One of the letters I received regarding this was from Claire in the UK, who says, (quote) “I’m in the process of really digging into my shadow and I find cannabis essential in this work! I find it means you can go deeper, and still maintain a strength or “anchor” in the sense of not feeling afraid to go there. It’s hard to articulate,” Claire says, “it’s like the emotions don’t take over when using cannabis, they just flow, and that’s a huge step for me having dealt with quite crippling anxiety and depression.”

She goes on to say, “It is a tough process whatever you do, and I do worry I “depend” on cannabis too much. I prefer to use both CBD and THC daily but at the same time, it really helps!  I appreciate you sharing with us because I felt so guilty using cannabis for years and years but you’ve really helped me to own it and feel good about my choices.”

I really love hearing from you about your experiences regarding your exploration with cannabis as an agent of emotions and trauma release. Claire here brings up a very important point. She says, “It’s like the emotions don’t take over when using cannabis, they just flow and,” she adds, “that’s a huge step for me having dealt with quite crippling anxiety and depression.”

There’s this word, “re-traumatization” that has to do with trauma. And re-traumatization occurs when a person re-experiences a previously traumatic event. Trauma is painful. And until we release it, we carry it with us … depending on your background – either a little trauma or a lot of trauma.

However the release needs to be achieved without activating a shutdown response that’s often triggered by reminders of the trauma-inducing episode.

I remember, back in the day, in talk therapy, bringing up a traumatic memory, which triggered the pain of reliving it … the emotional pain flooding over my body. It’s an excruciating experience – this “re-traumatization.” And you can get very wary about this happening and try to keep any “shadow” work that could do this at arms length.

But, as Claire points out, cannabis, can ease us into creating the self-regulation that we need to reconnect to the body and regain a sense of control within, which is how I started working with cannabis many years ago.

The plant doesn’t do this as effectively by itself however. The most efficient and effective means I and countless others have found to strengthen our Inner constitution involves active expressive meditation and breathwork techniques. And when we add the judicious use of cannabis, it strengthens our resilience to do the work of releasing, and avoiding “re-traumatization.”

Once you start getting the upper hand and begin facing these emotions, it’s awesome. It feels so good because your outer life starts reorganizing as well.

The underlying guiding principle here is that in order to regain access to memories and responses that have been frozen in the body by trauma, we need to expand our control over the stress response to the trauma. And cannabis can be very effective in supporting that.

That was a lot! Do you follow me?

Claire added in her correspondence that “there’s a lot of misinformation about cannabis and,” she says, “I find I get judged harshly being a “daily smoker” based on people’s preconceived ideas and, she adds, “I find it’s often people who have never even tried the plant themselves!”  But, she sums it all up by saying, “I know it’s a special plant and I look forward to a time when we all can understand it better and it can help all our lives.”

Oooh, elegantly said Claire! I personally believe this plant is here for our wellbeing – whatever you’re trying to heal and we’re just nibbling at the edges when it comes to its capacity for emotional healing, which is why I use it so effectively in my Emotional Liberation work.

What are your thoughts on this? Are you wrestling with trauma and difficult emotions? How have you found relief? Drop down to the comments section and weigh-in, okay?

I’m Becca Williams and I want you to lead your most magnificent life, and I want to help you do that!

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4 thoughts on “Pre-cannabis, my experience with talk therapy. Can you relate?”

  1. Psycho-spiritual use of cannabis is so new to our Western minds that Western science, because of its struggle in addressing “Soul” has not in any meaningful way explored its practical application in sacred/meditative settings. However, that’s what we do in our course work is claim the benefits through evidence-based experiences.

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  2. Using cannabis and meditation for healing intrigues me. I’ve only ever dabbled and didn’t enjoy the experience enough to continue… but now that I’m 60, and so tired of the dance, I’m feeling very committed to letting go of this baggage I’m still dragging around. It’s been a hell of a year, so let’s bring it on. ~ Tori

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    • ” … so tired of the dance, I’m feeling very committed to letting go of this baggage I’m still dragging around.”

      Tori, interestingly, one of the questions I ask on my intake for people requesting sessions with me is: On a scale of 1-10 (10=VERY ready) how strong is your will and desire to apply yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically to transform your life?

      Having the WILL may be the most important aspect of deliberate and studied emotional releasing. As Claire said in her correspondence, “It [shadow work] is a tough process whatever you do …”

      However, that’s why I employ cannabis plant medicine as a pivotal tool in my Emotional Liberation approach. If you have an interest, my next 8-week Emotional Expansion masterclass course is starting in October. You can register for details and early registration savings here

      We do not have to live as a slave to our difficult emotions; they become our allies to guide us to a state of flow.

      With Love, Becca

      Reply

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