Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

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Thank You

Stormyblue
Stormyblue

Good Morning, Friends! Thank you to all who responded to my post yesterday on "Blessings in Disguise." I appreciate your support during this difficult time of estrangement with my daughter, and I value your honest feelings, even where they differ with my own. Regarding "Blessings:" I am practicing Zen Buddhist. Buddhists are, according to their dogma, atheists. I am not. Buddha wasn't either, but he steered clear of that discussion because his Practice was centered on non-attachment- one of the greatest causes of our suffering. Instead, he positioned himself as a "physician." He stated simply that he taught only about suffering and the healing of suffering. 


I use Zen for training my mind. It is a daily Practice.


But for myself, I do not "believe" in God- I am "aware" of the Presence of God in my life, in everyone I encounter, in all creatures, in all of nature, and in the mysterious void. In my view, all experience is a blessing, because it provides  the opportunity for inner development. I think of it as "spiritual sculpture." With Practice, we chip away at our delusions, we reveal truth: who we really are, what is really happening, without our ego-mind distortions. 


This is how I spend my time- whatever else I might be doing.

patti22
patti22
I know what Buddhism is, and I'm glad that your beliefs (or awareness) brings you comfort. That is a wonderful and precious thing.

I wasn't looking to open a debate (which isn't appropriate on this board). I was only, in one line, looking to explain MY reaction to the concept of "blessings in disguise".

((((((In the quietest voice I can manage over the internet, I'll repeat that as an atheist, neither me nor my children have ever or will ever experience a blessing, and for us, and perhaps only for us...that is a good thing.))))))

Moving on...

I didn't know that you were also estranged from your daughter. That's a hundred times more difficult.

A number of years ago, DS used to have an active Estrangement Board...several actually. I was friends with quite a few of the members and even met a couple in real life. It is a difficult complicated, challenging, heartbreaking situation. The "reasons", for those who knew them, were all over the map. From drug addiction, to parental alienation, to resentment over parenting mistakes, to the child joining a cult, to the child's spouse not liking the in-laws (that one seemed most common).

These were NOT parents who had abused their children. But sometimes they were the "good" parent, while the other parent was absent in the child's younger years.

Anyway, I have no idea of what your particular situation is, but I WILL repeat...I am very sorry for what you are going through. It IS a pain like no other.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
No matter who it is we all have to follow our own path in life ... What works for each individual

I'm glad that you've found something that works for you and I'm really sorry that you and your daughter are estranged

I absolutely agree that what starts out as something terrible can turn around into something awesome....

Look at the story The Hurricane as an example.... Rubin Hurricane Carter became an advocate for injustice/wrongful conviction for the rest of his life

I don't know what made me think of his story but it came to mind

I hope that you and your daughter can find some healing soon.... Big hug.....xo
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
You're welcome. The same week that I got diagnosed with PTSD, Stormy, my therapist got me enrolled in a weekly Buddhist meditation class I stayed in for 5 years, and I'm ordained as a Christian minister. Meditation really helped because medication for me is restricted due to kidney disease. My family of origin got really upset because to them I'd strayed from the path. But for me, even if meditation instead of medication was just a placebo effect, that was good enough for me.

I love that Hurricane movie, SunCloud. And that great Bob Dylan song about him, too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_(Bob_Dylan_song)
SimpsonsOK
SimpsonsOK
Stormy, much as we each find our path to inner peace, life/people can sometimes disrupt the flow. If our replies helped in any way, that is what DS is about. Sometimes we give support; sometimes we get support. It all works out in the end. Looks like you and your daughter are finding a way back to each other. Hugs as you both heal.
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