AVOIDING CATHARSIS

[alienstyle]

The supposedly exact age when such children commonly start forgetting those memories is (as far as I know now) 5 to 7 years. But even after that, the phobia may still continue to a mild extent.

Still, if there is ever any such 'shifting' - the phobia may experience a spontaneous remission within a further few years.

So observe for at least one more year i.e. upto his B'day #8. And during these period, just don't go for any intentional 'catharsis':cool

 

[Nightrain]

So observe for at least one more year i.e. upto his B'day #8. And during these period, just don't go for any intentional 'catharsis':cool

Hello Alienstyle, and welcome to the Forum.


I am interested in knowing why you recommend avoiding catharsis? What is the basis of your opinion?

 

[alienstyle]

AVOIDING CATHARSIS


Hello Nightrain1,


Reliving the past is a traumatic experience. Even if that be the case of a past life. And that too, even during the Hypnosis.


In Hypnotic regression (or the Regressive hypnosis) - although we access the subconscious mind and then really deal with it, BUT the conscious mind still takes over. And that's why some people call the Hypnoanalysis also as "Conscious Hypnosis".


Anyway, whatever be the terminology, my point is that - the moment the person (adult/child) becomes 'conscious' of that critical thing, the more 'pain' is felt.


In the history of pure physical therapy, surgery was once carried out without anesthesia. No chloroform or pain prevention measure was applied. People recovered, but through re-traumatization.


So what has been the modern motto? It's aiming a painless approach.


Likewise, I want to avoid the 'conscious-level catharsis' - if it is just possible.


I'm not an opponent of Past Life Regression therapy (PLR). I in fact love it. It is much better than Psychoanalysis, Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and all other Psychological Models. Because it recognizes/considers the MIND as beyond the material substances.


I just want it (the famous PLR) to be applied when exactly is it required.


Maybe the child's soul is already organizing the necessary catharsis on its own. May be discreetly. But very spontaneously.


So why not giving this natural process (of speaking out those memories with emotions etc) a chance?


Watch out another year. If such memory starts dropping by the time, it's likely that this 'natural' method has started reversing the trauma. One of the signs? The phobias of B'day/Candle/Sky may also start at least reducing.


But if there is STILL no shift in those 'irrational fears' by the time the memory is fading - the therapy approach may be THEN required.

 

[Nightrain]

I just want it (the famous PLR) to be applied when exactly is it required.

Of course, I'm not trained in any form of psychoanalysis or therapy, nor am I personally experienced in such practice with the exception of undergoing past life regression, myself. However, based upon what I've read by authors like Dr. Brian Weiss, Carol Bowman and others, cathartic breakthroughs have happened none too soon.


It seems to me that people suffering phobias and physical problems continue to do so well into their adulthood unless they seek and find appropriate help at the earliest possible moment. Conversely, I have never heard of a case in which any person suffered negative effects of any kind because they had such therapy too soon.


So, it still leave me to wonder why waiting any amount of time would be of benefit to anyone. Although it is true that children most often outgrow their conscious past life memories, it is also quite probable and evident that they subconsciously retain the effects of trauma and that their physical health can be affected long after they have forgotten. In all the cases that I have heard of, those phobias and physical conditions have gone away within days and weeks of undergoing successful cathartic regression, and no cases were aggravated in any way.


If, on the other hand, you have experienced or heard of negative results, I would be most interested in hearing of them. And, it would be helpful to know how anyone would determine exactly when the application of regression therapy is required.

 

[gettinglucky]

Catharsis are actually bad for you, especially the ones you get from watching movies. They're a form of emotional addiction...

 

[Nightrain]

They're a form of emotional addiction...

Is it the catharsis? Or, the addiction that is bad?

 

[gettinglucky]

One can't happen without the other...


Anyways, the point was... You release your emotions onto the silver screen... And then guess what happens next? You're emotionally numb... You need a greater amount of catharsis-inducing cinematic climax to induce the same amoount of feelings...

 

[Nightrain]

You need a greater amount of catharsis-inducing cinematic climax to induce the same amoount of feelings...

I think that what makes us numb is our inability to connect to each other -- our lack of compassion, which may become dulled somewhat by too much exposure to the pain and misery of others. Just as a soldier, adoctor, a nurse or an Emergency Medical Technician sees too much death, or a social worker sees too much social misery; we, too, can become overwhelmed, and can close ourselves off from others.


However, I believe that catharsis is something quite different. When we allow ourselves to open up with the guidance of a trained professional, we see a part of our past which has been buried. And, when we do so, something interesting and unexpected happens. We find that our hidden fears disappear, or we change in ways that we never could have expected. I don't think such an event could be considered addictive in any way. If anything, we find that our other addictions begin to loose their power over us.

 

[Saint Kevin]

How is the word Catharsis being used in this thread? What is the definition that is intended in this forum.


I have some things I can share about my experience with Catharsis, but I want to know if I am in the appropriate thread.

 

[Nightrain]

How is the word Catharsis being used in this thread? What is the definition that is intended in this forum.
I have some things I can share about my experience with Catharsis, but I want to know if I am in the appropriate thread.

Hi Saint Kevin, and welcome to the Forum!


Strictly speaking, the technical definition of "catharsis" is the release of repressed subconscious emotional tension. However, this definition is far too simple and one-dimensional to describe appropriately the essence of how the word is commonly used by philosophers. Catharsis implies that two emotional elements have come together to solve a philosophical or moral dilemma in such a way as to create a "eureka" moment. A person can be walking along the street not thinking about anything, and suddenly come across an outside stimulus that triggers a moment of inspiration. This can lead to a solution to a problem, an idea for a story, or a meaningful realization. I call this catharsis.


In the case of subjects undergoing some form of Past Life Regression, catharsis has been a word used to describe the experience of discovering the source of one's unexplainable fears, phobias or neurosis.

 

[Saint Kevin]

That is very interesting. Thank You for telling me about this definition of Catharsis.


I have some memories of Catharsis as relating to the Catholic Church.


The definition I was thinking of goes along the lines of:


Greek word meaning "cleansing" or "purging". It is derived from the verb καθαίρειν, kathairein, "to purify, purge," and it is related to the adjective καθαρός, katharos, "pure or clean."


It seems, the definition that is being used in this forum is the release or purging of emotional pain.


This differs much from the view of Catharsis that was used by the Catholic Church at least during the time ( 498-618 ). In which a person is purged of sin or the sins of humanity are purged through a Holy person by a process of blood letting.