Nick Polizzi - Trauma

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Copyright 2021 by Rising Tide Productions, LLC

Published in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com Published in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Published in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk Published in India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Indexer: Joan Shapiro

Cover design: Michelle Polizzi Interior design: Nick C. Welch

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The authors of this book do not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the authors is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the authors and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4019-5902-9

E-book ISBN: 978-1-4019-5903-6

Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-4019-5954-8

For you, our reader.

When we talked about writing a book on trauma, never could we have imagined wed do it during the worst global pandemic since 1918, the most significant economic crisis since the Great Depression, the most wide-reaching race-related protests since the 1960s, and the most divisive political race for president in the U.S. in modern memory.

If the year 2020 had a theme, were pretty sure it was trauma.

Like you, we find ourselves trying to navigate an unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and at times, downright terrifying world. Were all still finding our footing.

We wont pretend this book has all the answers to living through this moment, but we can tell you from the hundreds of stories we collected for this book, from our own lives, and from the trauma experts who have graciously shared their wisdom and insights into healing that you can resolve whatever pain youre going through.

While it may be hard to believe, no one says this moment in time has to become traumatic. As youre about to learn, the experts we spoke to were clear: trauma is not about the experience that happens to us; its what we do with it.

We believe the insights and tools youre about to learn can help make this road a little easier and lighter.

If you take nothing from this book, please take this: trauma is not inevitable.

No matter what you experience during this time, it doesnt have to become traumatic. Painful? Sure. But you can work through that. You can learn how to release it before it gets stored in your mind and body. As much as this book is about showing you how to release your old traumas, its also about helping you build your resiliency, so no matter what you face in life, you have the power, the tools, and the ability to process and integrate the experience.

The most painful experiences in our lives are often the catalysts propelling us toward even better, stronger, and more compassionate versions of ourselves. No matter what youre experiencing today, you can use it to transform your lifefor the better.

Our greatest wish is that you use this moment to propel yourself toward greater self-love, more compassion for your neighbors, more meaningful relationships with your loved ones, and more peace in your world.

Stay courageous and strong.

Pedram + Nick

Trauma has a stranglehold on so many people, and they dont know it.

When you read the word trauma, what comes to mind? If answers like war, sexual abuse, physical assault, a car accident, post-traumatic stress disorder, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks popped up, youre not alone. But as youre going to learn, it is much broader, deeper, and more prevalent than you realize.

Trauma is unresolved pain.

It hums in the background of our lives, influencing our every thought, emotion, and action. It steals our life force; robs us of joy, faith, peace, and love; and gets in the way of successful professional lives. It prevents us from becoming the parents, spouses and partners, children, grandparents, sisters and brothers, friends and neighbors we know we can be. It causes our self-loathing, deep shame, and self-hatred. And its the root of many unexplainable and often untreatable (from a Western medical perspective) illnesses, diseases, autoimmune disorders, and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicide ideation.

When you live with trauma, it makes life in our modern, fast-paced, harried world that much harder. Consider for a moment, how often do you feel angry and verbally lash out at a co-worker or family members? How often do feel impatient and snap at your kids, spouse, partner, or employees? How often do people take advantage of your generosity or disrespect or exploit you? How often do you feel so exhausted that you can barely think straight or have the energy to power you through the day?

These reactions, and more, often come from trauma.

When you cant access feelings of joy, peace, calm, relaxation, clear-headedness, forgiveness, or love, then everyday stress overwhelms you. You shut down, becoming numb and desensitized to your experience of being human, to the people in your life, and the world around you. You dont have the mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual capacity to show up for your life or as the person you want to be.

This is no way to live. You can experience so much more.

Its possible. Thousands of people are doing it every day.

And in this book, were going to help release you from your trauma trap so that you can do so.

Our mission in this world is to help people heal.

For more than two decades, both of us have worked in the health and wellness space. Nick as a documentary filmmaker, whos trekked around the world in search of ancient medicine and alternative healing modalities. He founded the Sacred Science website and blog to share the wisdom hes uncovered.

Pedram as an ordained priest of the Yellow Dragon Monastery in China, an acclaimed qigong master, master herbalist, and doctor of Oriental medicine, who helped thousands of patients in his Los Angeles clinic. He founded Well.org to bring more healing to people through movies, documentaries, and books.

Over the years, weve seen up close the unexplained illnesses, autoimmune diseases, depression, anxiety, strange digestive issues, migraines, brain fog, agonizing muscle pain, tension, and aches, and the utter exhaustion, failed relationships, addictions (to drugs, food, alcohol, sex), and unsatisfying professional lives that Western medicine has failed to heal.