Ptsd - The Hippie Approach

[Upside Down Eagle]

I wonder if any of you also use a "hippie" approach to deal with PTSD.
I don't know what other word to employ, but I mean dealing with it in a symbolic, spiritual style.

Most of my family, except my abusers and a few others, are all very floaty and spiritual.
I have a respectful relationship towards their practice. I think it is important at all times to stay grounded, both feet on Earth. But if you do so, it can't hurt to look at the spiritual ways at well.

I wear crystals. Tourmaline, which helps with trauma, pain and fear, and tiger-eye, which is said to have a calming influence, and see things clearly. I clean my crystals and charge them when I feel they've "had it". I have a bunch of other crystals that I don't wear but lay around and I pick them up when it feels right.

Other than that, I try to keep all negative energy out of my room, symbolically, by burning palo santo (I would burn sage but my fire-alarm would go off...). I think of and surround myself with symbolism, like totems, I like the eagle especially because of its capacity to fly to a different perspective.

I know that "normal" people (would say that I'm nuts and new-age, and that it doesn't work.
But I don't mind :) I think every symbolic gesture works, pretty much regardless of whether science has proven it. Or not.

Do you do any new age thing?
Does it help your stress levels?

 

[arfie]

For sure, I think science has much to learn and that science in fear the question is not science at all. It is academic dogma.

Herbs are my most trusted therapy. I use both wild and domestic herbs. I don't much trust the "All Natural Pills" because ... to start with, I still haven't found directions to the pill farms, nor found any pill plants in my wild herb scouting. I consider Mother Nature to be the most profound scientist in existence and use her equipment (physical senses) to tell which herbs will help me with which ailments.

Call it what you want.
Absolutely, it helps me with my stress levels. If nothing else, it gives me a break from humanity...

Edit: When I am feeling out of sorts, I walk through my garden and\or local green spaces testing herbs with my senses until I find something that seems to fill the current need. Often I don't even know the name of the balancing herb.

 

[franciemarnie]

I love the "hippie" stuff. I have tourmaline and also black obsidian. I got a jasper stone from my chiropractor recently. I sage almost every day.

I am into spirit animals too. When one appeared to me in a dream once and touched my forehead, I didn't understand it. Didn't know there were spirit or power animals. But I woke with a new lease on life.

I am not too aware of spirit guide messages, but I know I've gotten a couple clear "soul telegrams" that were amazing.

I used to think this stuff was nonsense. I had such "contempt prior to investigation". Then one day, I began seeing people's auras. It didn't enhance my sense of well being but it opened my eyes. Now I know this world is a lot more mysterious than I once thought.

For sure, this stuff helps me. Meditation. I will ask my "body/mind" what's going on with me and I will often get an involuntary image flashed thru my head and that will help me understand and take action.

I want to get a crystal!

 

[KwanYingirl]

I am an actual Hippie. Wash with patchouli soap, use alternative medicine whenever possible, and of course, I attend many concerts!
I have a reiki session every two weeks and she uses healing crystals. I smudge my house, I am devoted to Kwan Yin who gave up her place in nirvana to stay on earth as long as people are suffering. I read about Buddhism and keep an offering altar. I try to meditate daily. I wear a lepidolite stone which is a rich source of lithium. My house is surrounded in black tourmaline.

 

[Lionheart]

I am all for the "New Age" stuff and 'Hippie" style of dealing with PTSD, but I think some things work better than others and it is pretty much hit and miss when it comes to what works.

For instance, burning sandalwood incense at bedtime is as good as (if not better) than medication, for me and my PTSD nightmares, but it may not work for everyone.

I whole-heartedly believe that connecting with nature on a spiritual level can ease depression and some of the symptoms of PTSD, but I don't want to send people out looking for a "cure", when in my experience that is very unlikely to occur.

Having said that, I think meditating and mindfulness have been proven to be helpful while gemstones and crystals, the influence of the phases of the moon, incense, wearing all natural materials for our clothing, etc., etc. all have merit that science has yet to catch up to as of yet.

Still the effects of such things may be subtle and much too mild for intense traumas and could be disappointing to those who are seeking more immediate relief from their symptoms.

And so, I would personally recommend using as many of the "New Age" / "Hippie" things as ya can, from herbal therapy, to smudging your aura, to cleansing and balancing the chakras, etc. to get the maximum benefit......

...........AND for those things to be used in conjunction with regular therapy (with a trauma specialist) and medication management with a psychiatrist.

 

[Sarah542]

I dont think your nuts at all. I think its kind cool! I was thinking about having a few crystals but I've no clue where to start!

 

[Seasounds]

Ah, love this thread, because of the acknowledgement of spiritual, natural, and unconventional wisdoms--a saving grace for me throughout the years.

Currently, this my recent aggravation, in addition to using conventional methods::

• Using carnelian, amber and black obsidian stones.
• Using plant based, homeopathy.
• Regular acupuncture, deeply helps me relax.
• Spending weekends in nature-using its healing energy.
• Had a healing, of my third eye, from a dream.
• Had deep body work, that relieved the physical aspect of my emotional trauma.
• Doing Native American cleansing and healing with sage and ceremony.
• Daily meditation.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I agree that it isn't a total cure. In order to achieve any kind of true balance you'll probably need to align your body (of which your brain is part) and your spirit (in which the brain probably also plays a role...).

I used to be incredibly spiritual as a teen but I was lacking everything else in the "material" knowledge realm. I had a tendency to flee into the clouds and sort of look down. I now also take long walks, or go running, there's a lot of woods around here which is fantastic. Nature is definitely a really good place to sort of sink back into yourself.

Animals are so awesome, also if they just walk by your side, they can be your guides too. I used to have a cat, Tiger he was called, who really felt like a small piece of my soul, like he belonged with me. I have had other cats, and loved them a lot, but it was never like that. Visionary totems were always really present, and somehow also an association with other native american customs.

Had some readings, one ten years ago or so and another one past Monday. Funny thing is in the first reading, the reader told me that in my past live I'd been an american woman, very confident and jolly. Yesterday then I had my second reading and the reader says my "being" was talking to her using English terms. Hahaha, I love that.

@Sarah542 The best way to start, I think, is to figure out what you would like the most right now. Protection? Love? Courage? I don't know if there are spiritual shops in your area, but usually there is somebody there who will love to give you advice.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think its awesome that you are taking a spiritual approach to healing! I agree that spirituality may not be a total cure, but I don't think that its power should be underestimated. Please just ignore those who are negative toward your practices and beliefs. I find these sorts of people to be very draining in that many are so busy being *against* things that they don't take the time to actually support anything good. Much of my family is like this....they are very against spirituality and such and spend so much time tearing everyone down who has any sort of spiritual sense. The sad thing is that they are so vocal about what they don't believe in that nobody really knows what they *do* believe in, if you know what I mean. I figure its best to be supportive toward something, and if you don't believe it in, just let to go. [Spoken as someone who is treated like she is stupid for having a spiritual side, by many members of her family.]

 

[afuneralinmybrain]

Yep. I meditate, do yoga, apply accupressure points, do chants, recite mantras. It's great.

 

[Kefira]

I'm a Reiki practitioner and that and deepening my yoga practice have saved my life. I also use sage, crystal therapy and mantra. I notice a serious difference in my overall wellness when I'm meditating and practicing regularly. I was lucky enough to be able to work-exchange in an ashram for a month this summer, and one of the formative things I did was morning mantras. Every morning I used a mindfulness mantra/affirmation and it completely changed how I felt about not only waking up, but going to sleep at night.

I'm working toward developing a system for depression but specifically PTSD that's interfaith, open to individuals of various backgrounds, and can be taught in retreats. I find a lot of people in the alternative spiritual communities are there because of mental health or other struggles, so I don't think it's odd at all to find so many people on this board who are receptive as well.

 

[shimmerz]

My alternative healers have done me way more good than any of the MD's or PhD's through this experience. I have used Shaman's, Trance Specialists, Mediums and so on. Being very left brain driven prior to my meltdown, many of my friends are having a difficult time getting their heads around this switch in me. For me? It has helped a ton with my symptoms.