Oct
13
Brain Trauma, Soul Trauma
Filed Under Brain Injury, TBI & PTSD, Trauma
by Janet J. Seahorn
OK, here is something to ponder; can Brain Trauma cause Soul Trauma?
By “brain trauma”, I mean a traumatic brain injury, a verifiable medical condition caused by some insult to the brain, i.e., car accident, falling, hitting one’s head, being in or close to an IED explosion, shaken baby syndrome, stroke… and the list goes on.
Every year over 1.5 million Americans experience some type of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Personally, I believe the number is higher, as many incidents never get reported because no one knows or realizes that such a trauma has occurred. Which is why all of the information on TBI makes me muse over what actually goes on in the brain/mind, body, and soul when it has been injured?
I think about the mind and wonder how such a magnificent organ can be in command of so much in a person: body, emotions, perceptions…
I think about the soul and wonder how such an invisible concept can make such a difference in one’s life; a difference that gives one strength, courage, and hope to make it through some truly desperate times.
I think about how anyone who experiences a restructuring of the brain after some internal or external trauma can move forward in ways that are nothing short of miraculous. A healing that leaves the brain changed, but the person still functioning.
I think about how the soul and spirit must somehow be part of the healing that takes place in the organ called the brain. How the soul/spirit may give some kind of divine direction to the mind that allows it to mend. In many cases it may not mend itself back to its original state but reorganizes in such a manner that perhaps enhances the individual with greater compassion, humility, and fearlessness.
I’d like to believe that angels watch over us and it is this entity that connects the mind, soul, and heart. Noah benShea thoughtfully noted, “Faith sees around corners”. Maybe these celestial beings are also within the corners of our battered minds, soothing, comforting, and mending.
Most days, though, I am just immensely appreciative that something more powerful than I can ever imagine is taking some charge over all of our well-being, perhaps from that place we call Heaven.