Author: Jerry Kuykendall
We all get there, in a state of emotional chaos, confusion, exhaustion, regret, doubt, or a combination of several of these and eventually we feel like we're not ourselves. We may say and do regrettable things, wondering why we do what we do....over and over and over again.
Welcome to the shadow of the inner child. These chaotic states are trances we create as a defense mechanism. This was a strategy we adopted earlier in life, and kept because it proved effective at keeping us alive. A brain engram is formed, and voila....we have created a trigger! Since these events occurred at a different place and time than current, when we lapse back into those engram triggers, we effectively age regress. In other words, we are taken back to that place and time where the original engram was programmed in us. Much like the grooves on a record will always play a certain song when the needle (stimulus) is placed on it, our brain plays the same song (response pattern) until we can dismantle it.
The more chronic our engrams, the more we age regress. The more we age regress, the less time we spend in current time and space. (we also slip into futurizing, but that is a similar response, and will be saved for a future article.)
While this is not a diagnosis, medical advice, or treatment, I advise getting in touch with your false core and core motives via your base Enneagram personality, and healing your mother, father, and god wounds so that you can effectively process your trauma. If you believe you have a clinically diagnosable condition, please seek the necessary guidance and support for you to heal and become your best self.
What is trauma?
Trauma can have a profound impact on our psyche, shaping our perceptions, behaviors, and beliefs. One way trauma manifests itself is through the activation of survival archetypes, as proposed by the renowned psychologist Carl Jung. These archetypes, deeply rooted in our collective unconscious, include the mother, father, imago dei, wounded child, prostitute, saboteur, and perpetual child. When triggered by trauma, these archetypes can hold us captive, preventing personal growth and hindering our journey towards self-actualization.
In this blog post, we will explore how trauma creates triggers, leading to age regression and the subsequent entrapment in survival archetypes. We will also delve into the transformative power of snapping these trauma triggers and ascending to our higher self, ultimately embracing individuation.
Understanding Survival Archetypes:
Survival archetypes are universal patterns that arise from our instinctual need to survive and navigate the world around us. Each archetype represents a particular aspect of our personality, deeply ingrained in our psyche. When functioning in a healthy manner, these archetypes contribute to our well-being. However, trauma can distort their expression, trapping us in their negative manifestations.
Trauma Triggers and Age Regression: Trauma triggers are stimuli that evoke intense emotional and psychological responses linked to past traumatic experiences. These triggers can initiate a process known as age regression, wherein individuals regress to a younger emotional state associated with the original trauma. Age regression occurs as a defense mechanism, aimed at protecting oneself from further harm by seeking safety in familiar patterns of survival.
Survival Archetypes and Trauma:
Mother: The mother archetype symbolizes nurturing, compassion, and protection. When triggered by trauma, individuals may become overly dependent or clingy, seeking safety and care from others. They may struggle to establish healthy boundaries or develop a sense of self-worth.
Father: The father archetype embodies authority, guidance, and discipline. Trauma-triggered individuals may either become excessively controlling and domineering or withdraw from any sense of responsibility and avoid taking on leadership roles.
Imago Dei: This archetype represents our connection to the divine and our spiritual nature. Trauma can create a profound sense of disconnection, leading to feelings of emptiness, despair, and a loss of faith or meaning in life.
Wounded Child: The wounded child archetype symbolizes the pain and vulnerability resulting from past traumas. When triggered, individuals may exhibit behaviors such as self-sabotage, emotional reactivity, and a perpetual victim mentality.
Prostitute: The prostitute archetype relates to the surrender of one's integrity and authenticity in exchange for security or acceptance. Trauma-triggered individuals may compromise their values, engage in self-destructive behaviors, or remain trapped in unhealthy relationships.
Saboteur: The saboteur archetype represents self-sabotage, fear of success, and undermining one's own progress. Trauma can amplify these tendencies, leading individuals to resist positive change and hinder personal growth.
Perpetual Child: The perpetual child archetype embodies innocence, playfulness, and creativity. When triggered by trauma, individuals may regress into a state of helplessness, dependence, or avoidance of adult responsibilities.
Snapping Trauma Triggers and Ascending to the Higher Self: Breaking free from the grip of survival archetypes and ascending to the higher self requires a conscious and transformative journey of self-discovery. Here are some essential steps to embark upon:
Self-Awareness: Recognize and acknowledge the trauma triggers that activate your survival archetypes. Understand the patterns and behaviors that keep you locked in these survival modes.
Healing Trauma: Seek professional help, such as CHEK coaching (Coach Jerry), therapy to address and heal the underlying trauma. This process may involve various therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), or somatic experiencing, to release and integrate the trapped emotions associated with the trauma.
Shadow Work: Embrace and explore the shadow aspects of yourself that have been suppressed or disowned. This involves acknowledging and integrating the parts of yourself that you may find uncomfortable or challenging, allowing for self-acceptance and wholeness. A good CHEK Professional can help greatly here.
Inner Child Healing: Engage in inner child healing practices to nurture and heal the wounded child archetype within you. This can involve compassionate self-care, self-soothing techniques, and re-parenting yourself to meet the unmet needs of your inner child. A good CHEK Professional can help greatly here.
Cultivate Self-Compassion: Practice self-compassion and self-forgiveness as you navigate the healing journey. Be patient with yourself, understanding that healing takes time and effort. Treat yourself with kindness, empathy, and understanding. A good CHEK Professional can help greatly here.
Engage in Mindfulness and Self-Reflection: Cultivate a practice of mindfulness and self-reflection to observe your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without judgment. This awareness will allow you to identify the triggers and patterns that keep you stuck in survival archetypes. A good CHEK Professional can help greatly here.
Embrace Individuation: Embracing individuation means becoming your authentic self, separate from the expectations and influences of others. It involves integrating all aspects of your personality and stepping into your unique purpose and potential. A good CHEK Professional can help greatly here.
Conclusion: Trauma has the power to keep us trapped in survival archetypes, hindering our personal growth and preventing us from reaching our true potential. By understanding how trauma triggers activate these archetypes and perpetuate age regression, we can embark on a transformative healing journey. By snapping the trauma triggers and embracing self-awareness, healing, and self-compassion, we can ascend to our higher self, transcend the limitations of survival archetypes, and become individuated. Through this process, we reclaim our authentic power and move towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Remember, the path to self-actualization is not always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Peace, Much Love, Live Well,
Coach Jerry
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