Trauma. It’s become a buzzword in our modern vocabulary. But it’s far more than a trend. The word itself goes back to ancient Greek—meaning “wound.” And though it entered psychological discourse in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was only in 1980 that PTSD was officially recognized as a medical diagnosis in the DSM-3.
Today, trauma is everywhere—in its clinical forms: acute, chronic, complex. But beyond labels, it touches something deeply personal. Some argue the term is overused, and perhaps in some cases it is. But that doesn’t make it any less real for those who are living it.
Trauma is not defined solely by the event—but by how it overwhelms us. It strips us of safety, control, and trust. It leaves us feeling helpless, fearful, anxious, in distress, and often disconnected from ourselves and others.
There are countless therapeutic methods—psychological and medical—to address trauma. But here, let us travel somewhere deeper: into the spiritual and mystical roots of trauma.
What is its true origin? Is it an unnatural invasion—or is it, paradoxically, part of our soul’s journey? Could it be that trauma, as painful as it is, is not here to break you—but to awaken you?
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this vital conversation and discover that trauma stems from the “shattered containers” and dissonance created by the cosmic tzimtzum. Trauma is the ultimate symptom of a disparate and incongruous consciousness, which has wandered away from the seamless all pervasive pre-tzimtzum unity, serving as a wake-up call to realign our existence with its natural oneness. Trauma, therefore, is not something to surrender to. We deal with it not just by minimizing its impact. It’s about healing from the root—not just coping with the symptoms.
Dear Rabbi,
Your words of truth continue to bring healing. It is a journey of the soul and to embrace the trauma brings continued wholeness. Indeed, we have all experIenced the disconnect via tzimtzum(the natural occurrence of our very existence). Realizing the furtherance of this disconnect through adverse circumstances in our childhood equips us with tools and purpose to repair the brokenness. Thank you for your insights and ability to bring lofty truths to a place we can grasp and utilize. Continuing to move from victim to survivor to overcomer and see the fruit actually helps me appreciate the traumatic events anew. Scars can have a beauty of their own.