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hosted by F. Michael Montgomery, LCSW, MFT Therapy for the heart, mind, body and spirit in a safe and healing setting This Inner-healing web site is a resource center for the support and promotion of personal growth and healing. My desire is to support people in their own healing through the compassionate and courageous work of their hearts. Healing Through the Trauma of 9/11 How we respond to the national tragedy of 9/11 as a nation in large part reflects how we respond to it personally. Our reactions can involve denial, fear and outrage. These are all very natural reactions. Ultimately, I believe we are challenged to compassionately meet these feelings in a way that brings about our healing. Otherwise we may choicelessly find ourselves living out our fears and anger in our everyday lives. We naturally avoid pain and pull back. This serves us so that we pull back from a flame to avoid being burnt. Pulling back can also give us the time we need to come to grips with the unspeakable that has crashed against our lives. However, to remain locked in this place of retreat robs us of the opportunity to come into our own healing. This is the healing that comes through finding a way to meet the unimaginable. Healing is a process navigated through our hearts rather than figured out with our minds. All too often our minds bring us to painful places of self-judgment and criticism. Our hearts provide the nurturance, comfort and forgiveness we seek. Now that time has passed since 9/11, those who find themselves still struggling with it can end up feeling like they are "crazy" or are somehow lacking, or not being strong enough (or else they would not still be struggling). This in turn can lead to not talking anymore about how we are feeling. This can lead to isolating ourselves from others and at a time when we are most in need of support. This page is an opportunity for those whose lives have in some way been impacted by 9/11 including those who lived there, those whose loved ones have died there, those who worked there. At the bottom of this page are quotes and links that may be helpful in caring for ourselves as we begin or continue our process of healing. Immediately below this are thumbnail pictures that can be clicked on to see a fuller picture. These pictures are the work of Jude Patch Guglielmino who worked as a disaster relief worker for about 2 1/2 months at ground zero following the 9/11 tragedy. They represent the courageous work she has done to come to terms with the horrific images she saw and experienced through her work. The intent of sharing these pictures is to provide support and validation for those who, too, courageously struggle with the graphic images that may haunt their waking hours and nights. For many people who were exposed to the events of 9/11, these images have proved too painful to simply put aside. Talking, writing, drawing and sharing them, rather than trying to bury them, may be part of the process of healing so that ultimately the charge they carry may be lessened. If you find yourself struggling with haunting memories and images, may these drawings be a reminder that you are not alone in your thoughts, fears and nightmares. May these drawings be a reminder that you are not alone! May they be a source of encouragement to keep on talking, sharing, writing and feeling so that you do continue on your journey of healing. These drawings and the comments accompanying them reflect the
intensity that many people have felt through this tragedy. It is important to
remember that the feelings that arise, as intense as they may be, reflect
what we are experiencing in the moment. But feelings can also change from moment
to moment and day to day. Remember, that feelings reflect what we are
experiencing in this moment but they are not who we are, that is, they
are not the essence of who we are. Who we are is the part of us that can
can stand back and observe what we are experiencing and make choices to
appropriately care for ourselves in these moments!
Grief Meditation by Stephen Levine Ram Dass But with it comes the joy of a single, caring act. With it comes the honor of participating in a generous process in which one rises each day and does what one can. With it comes the simple, singular grace of being an instrument of Love, in whatever form, to whatever end. Stephen Levine May all beings be free of suffering. May all beings' hearts be open to their pain. The light flooding their shared heart. Each heart encouraging the earth to heal. Each exhalation carrying the light back to sentient beings everywhere. May all beings be free of suffering. May all beings be at peace. May all beings dissolve the shadows of the past into the light of the healing present. May we all live in mercy and care for each other and for ourselves. May we all come to treasure ourselves and each other. And may we all come to treasure each other in ourselves.(Excerpted from
Guided Meditations, Explorations and Healings
Please E-mail me with any suggestions, comments,
or feedback you may have. I would really like to hear from you! |
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F. Michael Montgomery, LCSW, MFT
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