Flower Essences for Survivor Guilt
Posted by admin on Nov 14, 2009
From 8/24/2008 on Lila Devi’s Blog, http://www.mastersessences.com/blog
(Please note: this letter is in response to a woman with a fictitious case study assignment for a class in Chinese Herbal Therapeutics. The situation is Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome following a car accident where the patient survived but the driver, her grandfather, died.)
The subject of survivor guilt and related flower essences is an interesting one. Before recommending any flower essences or essence programs, it might help to mention some metaphysical truths. A wise person once said, “The things that happen to us do not matter; what we become through them does.” That same sage also said, “Change no circumstance of my life; change me.”
Speaking of the epitome of survivor guilt: why is it that some people emerged from the concentration camps as saints, while others were completely broken by their experiences? Wouldn’t this suggest that it’s not circumstances, but the attitudes toward those circumstances that are most important?
Here’s where a simple change of focus, embodied in Coconut Essence for greater spiritual awareness, can be of value. If we can’t change our circumstances—in reference to your fictional case study, a fatal car accident—we can change our perspective. How do we grow? By making ourselves bigger than our tests, not by shrinking from them.
This is where Banana, “the perspective essence,” can help. Our car crash survivor can help to heal her body with healthy attitudes, such as broadening her focus; including others in her reality; and identifying with the greatness and beauty of life instead of the smallness and seeming tragedy of it.
A part of survivor guilt is the sense of “why me,” or rather, “why not me?” The question itself suggests a form of resistance, which is certainly understandable in a fatal accident for those left behind. As mentioned in my previous article on Pear Essence, Pear reminds us to not resist our tests—which only causes greater suffering—but instead to accept them as best we can. This is why Pear Flower Essence is such a powerful salve for crisis situations. It addresses the thought, “This shouldn’t be happening to me.”
I would also suggest that someone experiencing survivor guilt spend time in Nature, taking gentle walks with deep breathing, as a way o
f communing with its healing energy. Peach Essence, likewise, can help this individual to transmute her own suffering by becoming aware that others, too, have suffered; that we are not alone in our trials, and that we can help others emerge from their difficulties through the very tests which we ourselves have undergone. It’s worth considering that many of the problems people face stem from simply focusing too much on themselves.
Every single moment of our lives offers us the same choice: to expand or to contract; to move toward the light or away from it. Guilt has been called by clinical professionals a coping mechanism. Indeed, this may be so, but it’s a contractive approach. If perpetuated long enough or strongly enough, guilt can easily lead to physical symptoms, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Yet the life force is an amazing thing. Given even half a chance, it can heal even the most broken body! Activate that life force with the “bottled Nature” in flower essences, and watch what happens when we raise our energy and broaden our scope.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lila Devi is the founder of the oldest essence line in the U.S. and globally outside the U.K., a seminar leader, and flower essences expert with over 30 years’ experience. She is a long-time valued contributor to Vibration Magazine. Lila lectures nationally and abroad. She brings an expansive view of plants, animals and people to her seminars, radio shows and television appearances. Her first two books, The Essential Flower Essence Handbook and Flower Essences for Animals, are the texts for her Home Study Courses; her series of 20 children’s picture books will soon be available. Lila lives at Ananda Village outside Nevada City, California. Learn more about Spirit-in-Nature Essences at www.Spirit-in-Nature.com; on youtube.com (21 videos available); or her blog: http://www.Spirit-in-Nature.com/blog or write to her at info@Spirit-in-Nature.com.
This is just lovely. I can see many applications and it is so gentle. I am most curious about the pear and banana essences and am anxious to try them and see where they will fit in my Practice. Thank you!!!
I survived from a car accident, where my father and my brother died. Flower essences have helped me a lot,beginning with Star of Bethlehem, BACH. I feel grateful for this article, as I still suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.
November 14th, 2009