Memories is more than recalled stories from our past. They are recovered experiences of events. They include the story as well as feelings and physical sensations. These “physical memories” can be even more powerful than the story itself. A particular smell can lead you to recall a story that is long forgotten. Walking into a room and smelling a perfume can immediately recall the person you knew. Seeing an old picture can awaken emotions along buried within the story. When these physical memories trigger a painful memory, they can cascade and lead you into sadness or despair from the original event. Physical experiences can trigger and awaken a memory that you believed had been put to rest.
Memories can also work in reverse. A painful memory can change your sense of physical well-being as well. When a painful memory bubbles up from deep within, it can have the same physical effects as the original experience. If a memory made you feel faint or sick to your stomach, the memory can trigger the same symptoms. When a painful memory stays in your mind it can have a debilitating effect on our immune system. The stress created by the memory can lead to physical sickness.
The ancients were correct. We are not a body with a spirit. We are spirits who are dependent on a body. The connections are deep. A painful memory will be remembered in your body-mind-soul. Teach yourself to identify the external and physical triggers that bring those memories to life.
Memories can also work in reverse. A painful memory can change your sense of physical well-being as well. When a painful memory bubbles up from deep within, it can have the same physical effects as the original experience. If a memory made you feel faint or sick to your stomach, the memory can trigger the same symptoms. When a painful memory stays in your mind it can have a debilitating effect on our immune system. The stress created by the memory can lead to physical sickness.
The ancients were correct. We are not a body with a spirit. We are spirits who are dependent on a body. The connections are deep. A painful memory will be remembered in your body-mind-soul. Teach yourself to identify the external and physical triggers that bring those memories to life.
TIP - Discovering your Memory Triggers
Triggers help us to better understand and connect our present experience to our memory. In doing so, they will allow us to keep the past in the past. This frees us to deal with the present circumstances in the present.
- Acknowledge that your emotions belong to you, they are not caused by anything or anyone “out there.”
- Learn to recognize the physical signs that a strong emotional reaction of guilt, shame, anger, or sadness is rising within yourself.
- Take note of what is happening around you in that moment.
- Spend some time connecting those circumstances and your feelings with other times you have felt this way.
- Over time, as similar feelings and circumstances occur, the trigger will become evident.
Triggers help us to better understand and connect our present experience to our memory. In doing so, they will allow us to keep the past in the past. This frees us to deal with the present circumstances in the present.
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