As I continue my inner work (Internal Family Systems IFS), I am blessed with resources from a myriad of authors, healers, therapists, and leaders in the field of trauma and inner wounds. Up until this introduction, I didn’t relate to “trauma” as part of my inner world. I can see now that in any situation, regardless of how much I downplayed, or called it irrational, or escalated myself in name-calling, self-hating, or manipulating the feelings about it, the parts of me that were affected by the situation are waiting to be held. As I once read, “It is not a matter of if you will do the necessary work, just when.”
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I’ve been immersed in the writing and videos of “No Bad Parts” by Richard Schwartz for about six months now and cannot yet comprehend the shift I’ve had working with this radically different approach to living and leadership that includes these 8 Cs: curiosity, compassion, connection, clarity, calmness, confidence, creativity, and courage.
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Here’s an overview of the audio recording of the book: |
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“Self-love and compassion are the keys to transformation."
— Richard Schwartz
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New York Times bestseller “Living Untethered – Living Beyond the Human Predicament” by Michael Singer provides daily doses of grounded ways to apply the inner work and is available through his podcast, videos, and multiple avenues of learning. Here’s one “Taking care of your inner environment.”
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Finally, this writing below from Max Licata moved me deeply and continues to uplift me as I “stay close to it” in my daily devotionals, reflections, and reading. I invite you to read it slowly, read it again out loud, then keep it “close” during the month if you are called to work with your Internal Family System of parts. Remembering they are to be “HELD,” not “HEALED.”
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“Much of our wounding occurs prior to the acquisition of language and is not able to be healed through the questioning and reorganization of patterns of thinking. In other words, we can’t think our way out of trauma. |
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When our capacity to process unbearable terror, panic, shame, and rage is overwhelmed, undigested pieces of experience are held subcortically and in our cellular circuitry, unreachable by thinking which is a layer removed from the fires of the alchemical body. |
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“The more we can cultivate curiosity and compassion towards ourselves, the more we can heal our wounds."
— Richard Schwartz
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Encouragement to “just get over it, that’s totally irrational, you can’t really believe that, you know that’s not true,” and so forth is experienced by an inflamed nervous system as the activity of violence and aggression.
It’s like an autonomic form of gaslighting and reflects a deep misunderstanding of trauma and the workings of implicit memory, and only contributes to re-traumatization, in personal, cultural, and collective networks.
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“When we learn to listen to all of our parts, we can find new solutions to old problems."
— Richard Schwartz
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In addition to shattering and unendurable experience — which is painful and terrifying enough — there is a profound sense of aloneness that goes with this, the sense that no one can understand, that there is no companionship into the dark night. I am alone in this. This is devastating to the soul.
When that raging alive little boy or aching little girl cries out longing to be held, to be known, to be felt, to be heard, to be remembered… peeking their little heads out as if to say, “Is it safe now? How about now? I’ve been waiting for so long for a companion and friend. How about now?”, they’re really not all that interested in our clear cognitive analysis, rational inquiry, powerful spiritual insight, and thoughts on the matter.
They’re yearning for something else… for you, for your heart, for your holding. To know that you will stay near, that you will not abandon or shame them, that you will do your best to provide sanctuary and safe passage for them to come Home, to be allowed to come out of that frozen state and live once again.
In this way, they don’t even want or need to be healed, but to be held. And to feel safe.”
— Max Licata
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“There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind - you are the one who hears it."
— Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
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AND if books, readings, and contemplations are not your THING, may a soothing piece of saxophone mastery provide a healing balm for whatever ails you. I’ve listened to Kenny G for hours and hours and hours when nothing else seemed to work well. And, I had a shameless crush on him in the 80s.
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All my best for you and your journey, inner and beyond. |
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Martha Creek
502-905-0783
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“When a problem is disturbing you, don't ask, "What should I do about it?" Ask, "What part of me is being disturbed by this?"
— Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
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My September 2023 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
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Get a Daily Dose of Martha as she reflects on readings from Ernest Holmes' "The Science of Mind."
Here’s the link to the daily video reflections from “The Science of Mind”:
Please feel free to use and share them in any way beneficial.
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Check out the cruises I’ll be taking in 2023 and 2024 and join in if possible:
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Join me at the ANTN retreat conference on Oct 2– 6 in 2023 at the gorgeous Unity Village near Kansas City. www.antn.org/event-4960280. It’s a tremendous week of renewal, learning, and joyful connection.
http://www.danielnahmod.com is our musician. https://jeffonseely.com is a keynote speaker. It includes the largest labyrinth in the US, hand-carved/hand-laid stones, exceptional retreat, and conference keynotes, and the dearest community gathering of New Thought friends in all the land.
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PLEASE SUBSCRIBE
Please subscribe to YouTube channel for immediate notice of all new videos, interview series, etc. Please “like” and “share” postings from Martha Creek public figure media platform.
YouTube handle: YouTube.com/@marthacreek
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Purchase the book below: Kindle version $1.99, Print copy (black and white) $11.99 or Full color — loads of photos ($24.99). PLEASE PLEASE leave a review on Amazon to continue to further UPLIFT these teachings.
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Read what someone wrote about the book:
Martha's words are wise, honest, real and come from her heart. Each "pearl" opens my heart and mind to possibilities, to a lesson for me told in her own loving, and very often humorous way. They bring laughter and tears, and a deep gratitude for the wisdom that she shares from her own experiences. Martha's precious personal stories bring her experiences right off the page into my world, allowing me to remember stories of my own. Every page gifts me with an idea, a truth or a lesson that I know will bring me closer to the truth of who I am.... and for this I am eternally grateful.
Bunches of love, Mary
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"Between thoughts, there's only a vast openness.”
— Martha Creek
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Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. |
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You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
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