Healthy stress adaptation in the dying days of the year.
Apples, elderberry, thyme, siberian ginseng and hawthorne. Juniper tucked into the windy cliffs between the lichen. Visit the abandoned lots, gardens, and graveyards. Put leaves on the freshly planted garlic.
We are doing the march to Winter Solstice now, as the excitement and stress builds I check off my tools for the season: garden, medicine cabinet and meditation.
The next chant I have chosen is Achala - the immovable one. The message seems to be that the most compassionate and powerful action is to be without movement.
When children are diagnosed with PTSD, they find in their blood work that they have elevated levels of cortisol right before bed - the rest of the day there is no difference in their hormone levels.
Decreased Prefrontal Cortical Volume Associated with Increased Bedtime Cortisol in Traumatised Youth
There we are, running around in a frantic panic at bedtime, unable to sit still, driven.
Propelled into action by emotions that run up our cortisol levels - panic, anxiety, dread, fear… Perhaps the action which is able to dispel all evil is to simply sit and feel.
But the body that has forgotten how to produce cortisol is no healthier. Researchers also find that children of parents exposed to traumatic events produce less cortisol, and as a result are less resilient and able to defend their body against the effects of trauma.
Minireview: Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders with Low Cortisol Levels: A Metabolic Hypothesis
Evolving our understanding, Yehuda is a prolific researcher in many aspects of PTSD, from the physiological basis to psychedelic therapy. Her article from 2022:
How Parents’ Trauma Leaves Biological Traces in Children
I remember hearing of the poor traumatised experimental mice, and I am glad to hear they have also learned how to forget the smell of cherry blossoms. Yehudha's view of cortisol as a shield is lovely, and brings me back to the importance of balance in all things, even stress.
Once still, the doors may all be opened. This one is marked by a sword, as it takes courage to sit with the darkest aspects of our incarnation. But once arrived at these depths, there is usually a good laugh to be had. We all have a rear end, and even the demons come home to mother.
The forgiveness and acceptance here brings me into a space where I know I feel all of our energy together. And I thank you for all of your virtues and efforts. Now is the needed time.
As we remember our strength, we shall not be moved.
The Morning Meditation Samhein Playlist
Abrazos,
Nadya
