If you’ve just crossed over to Substack with me from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or my private email list, welcome to The Body Is A Trailhead! They don’t teach us to think this way in medical school, but in the trauma healing model of Internal Family Systems (IFS), we think of physical cues and medical symptoms as trailheads we can choose to walk down with curiosity and self-inquiry, as a spiritual path for healing from trauma and deepening our connection with the body, our hurt “parts,” and a world that isn’t always kind to our hearts or our bodies. After 9 years of following these body trailheads personally and professionally, I feel inspired to share what I continue learning for those of you who are also on a sacred path of healing.
I am so grateful for you. I’ve spent my entire life dealing with early childhood trauma, from a from a mentally ill adoptive mother, including been giving away at birth.
there was nobody talking about trauma when I was a little.
I was beaten with a razor strap and burned.
I always felt I was saved by reading psychology today at my mothers psychiatrist office when I was 16 years old. It talked about trauma, and what Esalen was doing without drugs.
I’ve been going to Esalen since I was 22 years old. If something shows up that I don’t know how to deal with, I go back.
I was fortunate enough to have some inner wisdom to know where to go to learn but it took literally decades for my own triggers to show up. I was so sure that I was going to be able to prevent being triggered, even though I didn’t even know what it meant yet. I was determined to get my life together.
I’ve studied with some of the best trauma teachers. it still has been extremely hard.
Learning to trust and love myself has been the beautiful gift of my life and the intuition that I have been able to tap into has saved me so many times.
I just turned 73. I feel like my whole life has been about learning how to cope with its effects. and I’m not done yet.
I’ve been writing a book since I’ve been 8 years old. Writing the stories was hard, reading them was harder, I often froze and couldn’t read the words.
It’s hard to understand the depth that trauma had on me and the awareness that I had to find within me to heal.
I’ve always felt that I am one of the lucky ones because it takes a lot of strength and courage to keep trying to be your best when the rug gets pulled out from under you so many times.
The day I was born, had a lot of power in it, because I came here to be my best, no matter who tried to stop me
I’m not done yet.
I am a late bloomer
Let me add. I couldn’t be happier. I spread love and light everywhere I go.
People do the best they can, until they do better, or they don’t.
Blessings to all who show up for themselves and to those who can’t, I send love in your healing.
Love heals us from the inside, out.
Thank you, Lissa, for your beautiful heart, love and courage.
I am so happy to be able to access your incredible knowledge. I am a huge fan since I stumbled upon The Daily Flame quite a while back. You have helped me deal with and through some really tough, confusing, conflicting complicated periods of my relationships tremendously. More probably than you’ll ever know for so many of us. Thank you. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate so much your intelligence and openness.
I am so excited to see you here Lissa! I am just prepping to start sharing sections of Breastless here this week, plus a lot of commentary, so I am sure I will be cross-posting yours into mine (or however the heck that works!) before long. Holding hands as we do our part to bring healing. Huge love and respect, Emma
I am so grateful to have found this "place" by following a post of your on FB. Also grateful to have pledgeda monthly support. Thank you for all you do, Lissa
I am so grateful for you. I’ve spent my entire life dealing with early childhood trauma, from a from a mentally ill adoptive mother, including been giving away at birth.
there was nobody talking about trauma when I was a little.
I was beaten with a razor strap and burned.
I always felt I was saved by reading psychology today at my mothers psychiatrist office when I was 16 years old. It talked about trauma, and what Esalen was doing without drugs.
I’ve been going to Esalen since I was 22 years old. If something shows up that I don’t know how to deal with, I go back.
I was fortunate enough to have some inner wisdom to know where to go to learn but it took literally decades for my own triggers to show up. I was so sure that I was going to be able to prevent being triggered, even though I didn’t even know what it meant yet. I was determined to get my life together.
I’ve studied with some of the best trauma teachers. it still has been extremely hard.
Learning to trust and love myself has been the beautiful gift of my life and the intuition that I have been able to tap into has saved me so many times.
I just turned 73. I feel like my whole life has been about learning how to cope with its effects. and I’m not done yet.
I’ve been writing a book since I’ve been 8 years old. Writing the stories was hard, reading them was harder, I often froze and couldn’t read the words.
It’s hard to understand the depth that trauma had on me and the awareness that I had to find within me to heal.
I’ve always felt that I am one of the lucky ones because it takes a lot of strength and courage to keep trying to be your best when the rug gets pulled out from under you so many times.
The day I was born, had a lot of power in it, because I came here to be my best, no matter who tried to stop me
I’m not done yet.
I am a late bloomer
Let me add. I couldn’t be happier. I spread love and light everywhere I go.
People do the best they can, until they do better, or they don’t.
Blessings to all who show up for themselves and to those who can’t, I send love in your healing.
Love heals us from the inside, out.
Thank you, Lissa, for your beautiful heart, love and courage.
I am so happy to be able to access your incredible knowledge. I am a huge fan since I stumbled upon The Daily Flame quite a while back. You have helped me deal with and through some really tough, confusing, conflicting complicated periods of my relationships tremendously. More probably than you’ll ever know for so many of us. Thank you. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate so much your intelligence and openness.
I’m looking forward to the drips!
I am so excited to see you here Lissa! I am just prepping to start sharing sections of Breastless here this week, plus a lot of commentary, so I am sure I will be cross-posting yours into mine (or however the heck that works!) before long. Holding hands as we do our part to bring healing. Huge love and respect, Emma
Emma!!! I just recommended Scars of Gold for my people. You are SUCH a great writer. Congratulations on getting Breastless out there!
Oh, you Angel! I so want people to engage with this material and make waves. Thanks for your support x
I am so grateful to have found this "place" by following a post of your on FB. Also grateful to have pledgeda monthly support. Thank you for all you do, Lissa
You are my very first subscriber! So many thanks! And welcome.