Our physical beings are designed to learn from our experiences in order to survive. If we see a lion kill a deer, we know the lion is dangerous to us as well, by simple reasoning. (Note: all of this applies all the more if we ourselves are actually attacked). We train our brain: lion, danger, alert. So, the next time we see a lion, we proceed with caution. We will most likely be fearful, certainly very alert. We might even run back to the cave, grab our club; or, in more recent times, run back to the cabin to get our shotgun.*  

If we have an acute sense of smell, we might even smell the lion before we or anyone else around us sees it. Also, since our conscious mind can only deal with so much information at once, we might smell the lion and be alerted without consciously knowing why. In addition, notice that if we don't know any better, and we are just beginning to figure the world out, we might take other cues from our environment.

So, now suppose at the time that we saw the lion, there were some other things going on. Let's say there was a rabbit running by, just before that happened. So, we might see a rabbit, and then think, oh no, rabbit -- lion, danger, alert. Now, suppose the world is full of rabbits, and every time you see a rabbit, you think lion.

Suppose then, that while your brain was developing and you wanted to explore the mysteries and wonders of the world, take delight, be happy with existence, love all that is...your world was surrounded by lions killing deer and rabbits, and so you have to forget about the mysteries and wonders of the world, taking delight, being happy with existence, and loving all that is; because you wanted to survive, so instead you spent your time, being ready for lions.

This story will serve as an example for us to talk about language we can use in communicating about healing, or simply, 'language about healing'.

* Note: a fully enlightened master may not feel any fear, but in the meantime, let's look at this example, as a way to illustrate the process of trauma and healing. Also, I invite you to consider the implication, that witnessing violence, can itself be traumatic. Finally, imagine if this sort of thing happened repeatedly to a being that is helpless, and developing. In other words. Its brain is actually still developing, and it has no power whatsoever to protect itself. It cannot run to the cave or the cabin and get a weapon.

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