Why the Brain Avoids Pain: A Protective Mechanism
Your brain is an extraordinary organ, intricately designed to protect you from harm. One of its most vital functions is its ability to detect and respond to pain, a mechanism…
Navigating Cognitive Dissonance in Spirituality
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when you hold two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas simultaneously. In the realm of spirituality, this dissonance can manifest when…
Using Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn in Healing
When faced with danger or stress, your body instinctively activates one of four primary responses: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. These responses are deeply rooted in your biology, designed to…
Using Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn in Healing
You may have heard of the terms "fight, flight, freeze, and fawn" in discussions about stress and trauma responses. These instinctual reactions are hardwired into your brain and body, serving…
Embracing the Fawn: Finding Healing and Wholeness in the Spiritual Community
In spiritual communities, the fawn response often manifests as a tendency to please others or conform to group norms, sometimes at the expense of one's own needs and desires. You…
Overcoming Emotional Numbness: Healing the Heart
Emotional numbness is a complex and often misunderstood phenomenon that can leave you feeling disconnected from your feelings and the world around you. It’s as if a thick fog has…
Breaking Free: Overcoming Emotional Avoidance
Emotional avoidance is a psychological defense mechanism that many people employ to shield themselves from feelings that they perceive as overwhelming or distressing. You might find yourself sidestepping emotions like…
Understanding Psychological Defense Mechanisms
Psychological defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies that individuals employ to protect themselves from anxiety and emotional pain. You may not even realize you are using them, as they often operate…
Unpacking Spiritual Bypassing: Examples and Insight
Spiritual bypassing is a term that may resonate with you if you've ever encountered individuals who seem to use spirituality as a shield against the complexities of life. It refers…
Understanding Spiritual Bypassing: Why We Avoid Facing Our Truth
Spiritual bypassing is a term that describes the tendency to use spiritual beliefs or practices as a way to avoid dealing with uncomfortable emotions, unresolved issues, or challenging life situations.…