Key Developmental Milestones: Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Growth in Childhood
To be honest, child development is one of those things we sort of take for granted until we start examining our own past and asking, “Wait… did I truly achieve those benchmarks?” Much of this growth occurred organically if you grew up in a consistent, loving atmosphere. But if your childhood was marked by trauma, […]
Why Secure Attachment is the Foundation of Emotional Well-Being
Ever wondered why certain people manage life better than others? They’re adaptable, handle relationships well, and don’t snap when things get unpleasant. Others struggle with lack or trust, fear of abandonment, or walk on emotional eggshells. There’s a reason. Before we could talk, our early attachments, or bonds, shaped how we handle emotions, relationships, and […]
What is Attachment? Understanding the Bonds That Shape Us
Let’s consider something so basic to life that we rarely ever give any thought: attachment. I’m talking about the deep, natural relationships we create with the individuals meant to look after us, not attachment in the Buddhist sense of clinging to things. Attachment is not only a catch-phrase in psychology. Babies scream when left alone […]
How the Five Root-Level Impacts of Trauma Interact
Many childhood trauma survivors view their problems as separate entities—anxiety, relationship problems, chronic stress, self-doubt, addictive behaviors, or even physical symptoms. It can seem like an endless catalog of unrelated issues. Trauma, however, disrupts fundamental systems in the body and mind. And though they may seem that way, the resulting symptoms are definitely not random. […]
Addressing Trauma Impacts – A Root-Level Healing Approach
People beginning trauma recovery sometimes search for answers to particular problems—how to lower anxiety, get better sleep, or avoid repeating terrible relationship patterns. These are great objectives, but real healing goes beyond only symptom relief. Trauma disrupts the body, mind, and spirit at a profoundly deep level; it doesn’t produce isolated problems. If we just […]
When Life Isn’t a Crisis: Hypervigilance, Emptiness, and Learning to Feel Safe
I’ve been in pretty much a continual state of scanning for threats, hazards, or the next catastrophe for the greater part of my life. Rarely was it a deliberate or conscious process, and it was often even below perception. But it was simply how my brain operated. My nervous system was set to anticipate threat, […]
Understanding Childhood Complex Trauma – A Root-Level Perspective
Trauma is something many individuals identify just by its effects: anxiety, depression, chronic stress, relationship problems, or even physical health concerns. Though they could consider themselves as having a broad list of distinct challenges—some emotional, some physical, some mental—they don’t necessarily see themselves as someone who has gone through trauma. But what if trauma represents […]
Theoretical Foundations of the Daoist Healing Arts: Shared Principles & Unique Frameworks
A deep and intricate theoretical grounding in Daoist philosophy underpins the Daoist healing arts. The foundation of all healing techniques are principles like qi, yin-yang, and the Five Elements, which provide a common vocabulary for comprehending transformation, health, and illness. Though these ideas are universal, every Daoist healing arts discipline—including meditation, movement arts, nutritional therapy, […]
What Are Contemplative Studies in the Daoist Healing Arts?
Have you ever had a moment of great quiet, perhaps for only a few seconds, when everything suddenly made sense? Perhaps on a tranquil stroll, during a deep breath, or while watching the sunrise? Rather than arising by chance, such moments of consciousness can, according to Daoist healing, be purposefully cultivated through what are known […]
The Dao – The Ever-Changing Way of Existence
Have you ever tried to explain something so immense, so sublime, that words simply seem to fall short? Something like the sensation of a perfect, breezy day, the gentle rhythm of waves washing onto a beach, or the way life appears to flow in unexpected but oddly appropriate ways? Often translated as “The Way,” this […]