The Body Keeps The Score - Bessel Van der Kolk
A Meditation Series
Trauma Lives in the Body, Not Just the Mind
Trauma is not just a memory or event—it is stored physically in the body.
The body often continues to respond as if the trauma is ongoing, even when the mind “knows” it's over.
Meditation helps bring awareness to these bodily sensations, offering a safe space for noticing and releasing held tension or emotional energy.
2. Mindfulness Creates Safety and Awareness
Meditation cultivates present-moment awareness, which is essential for healing trauma.
Grounding and breathwork help create a sense of internal safety, counteracting dissociation or hyperarousal.
Techniques like body scans or guided meditations help reconnect with bodily sensations in a non-judgmental way.
3. The Importance of Interoception
Interoception is the ability to feel what’s going on inside the body (e.g., heartbeat, tightness, hunger).
Developing interoceptive awareness helps individuals tune in to their body’s messages, a key step in healing trauma.
Regular meditation enhances this inner listening skill.
4. Re-establishing the Mind-Body Connection
Trauma can sever the link between thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences.
Meditation supports reintegration by gently observing these layers together, helping people understand how emotions manifest physically.
Movement-based meditation (e.g., yoga, mindful walking) complements stillness practices in rebuilding trust in the body.
5. Emotional Regulation through Practice
Trauma survivors often struggle with regulating intense emotions.
Meditation builds capacity to observe emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
Techniques like labeling emotions, using breath to self-soothe, and visualizations foster emotional balance..
6. Reclaiming Agency and Inner Control
A core wound of trauma is the loss of control or agency.
Meditation encourages personal empowerment by giving people tools to regulate their internal state.
The act of choosing to sit, breathe, and be present is itself a reclaiming of autonomy. That you have choices.
7. Community and Co-regulation Matter
Healing often requires being witnessed in a safe, supportive environment.
Group meditations offer a sense of shared humanity and co-regulation (calming through connection with others).
Simply being in presence with others on a healing path can be transformative.
You are the Expert in You.
I am not assuming you have experienced severe trauma, but I know each one of us suffers and struggles and has experienced hardships and challenges. We know that life is inherently unsatisfying and that our drive to move beyond this is an important part of our survival. One of the keys to living a contented life is to be grounded in the present moment.
I am leading the sessions from a perspective of trauma to keep the space as safe for everyone as I can.
There’s no right or wrong way of doing these practices. We’re learning to take great care of ourselves.
Be interested, and curious and as best you can bring a non-judgemental approach to your experiences
We’re learning to observe our habits and tendencies. To live life well. To be content and fulfilled.