08/11/2026
If you want to recover from a traumatic event, then you need to learn the process of "visualization!"
Visualization is a practice typically done with monks in an ashram. But, we can do it ourselves, anywhere, any time. When we close our eyes and walk our mind back to that traumatic time and event, we have the opportunity to heal whatever broke us in that moment.
This practice includes more than just 'thinking happy thoughts'. You need to envision your trauma as a gloomy maze where, once upon a time, you were trapped. You need to revisit that maze in your mind, preferably while meditating or trying to meditate. Go to the maze, and begin to visualize a path out of the darkness.
When Jake and I discussed his own traumatic maze, we had to bring him back to the day of our mother's funeral. It's a moment he still holds guilt for, and needs to be re-worked in his brain.
At first, Sabrina told Jake to imagine going to the funeral as it had actually been: terrible. There was nothing positive said about our mother, so why would he want to go?
What we did NEXT was the key: We imagined Jake being able to have full control of the funeral, deciding what would be said, what music would be played, who would attend, etc. There Jake could feel a sense of relief, because he actually DOES have this opportunity in the near-ish future:
He's going to spread her ashes.
This is Jake's opportunity to visualize a scenario in which he no longer needs to feel control. The bonus is, Jake will actually be able to physically act out this visualization. Suddenly, Jake is now a manifester of trauma recovery.
We hope these ideas make sense to other trauma survivors out there. This is real advice, that we are practicing in real time. We have seen progress in both of us, although we both do still have more work to do, too.
Next time you try meditating, try going back to that traumatic event (take this slow, if need be.) Imagine the event as a dark and gloomy maze; and then imagine finding a path out of the darkness.
You can do this.
Trauma recovery is REAL.
