Dr. Siegel notes "All animals have an instinctual aversion to pain.
"Humans have particularly sophisticated ways of trying to avoid it, especially when that pain is emotional or psychological.
“We employ a wide variety of strategies to distract ourselves or actively push out of awareness painful thoughts, feelings, images, instinctual urges, and memories.
"But these efforts are usually only partially effective: When we bury feelings, we bury them alive.
"Disavowed mental contents are easily reawakened, and when they get close to our awareness, we feel fear."
From article Mindfulness in the Treatment of Trauma-Related Chronic Pain by Ronald D. Siegel (PDF).
This audio is a brief excerpt from video presentation "Overcoming evolution in trauma healing" by Dr Ronald Siegel, PsyD at the ongoing Trauma Super Conference - featuring 60+ experts on the "impacts trauma can have and how to gain optimal health."
Topics:
How human evolution predisposes us to trauma
How mindfulness practices help our healing and happiness
Why our relationships with ourselves and others are so critical
Excerpt of video: When we bury feelings, we bury them alive - Dr. Ronald Siegel on trauma responses
From Trauma Super Conference profile: "Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor of Psychology and mindfulness teacher Dr Ronald Siegel explains why humans did not evolve for happiness and what we can do about it...He is a long-time student of mindfulness meditation, and author of many books."
Programs by Dr Siegel include:
Healing Through Mindfulness: Effective Practices for Chronic Health Conditions - Audible Audiobook OR audio CD from Sounds True.
The Science of Mindfulness: A Research-Based Path to Well-Being (DVD)
The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems (Audible Audiobook)
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Related post:
Trauma and Fearing Unwanted Emotions and Thoughts with Dr Ronald Siegel