How to find meaning in Traumatic Loss:


How to find meaning in Traumatic Loss:


Finding meaning in traumatic loss is one of the hardest — but also potentially most transformative — human experiences. The path is never linear, and it often comes in waves. 

But here are some grounded and compassionate ways to approach it:

1. Let Yourself Grieve Fully
Grief is not something to fix; it’s something to honor. Traumatic loss shatters the world you knew — and that shattering needs space. Suppressing grief can delay healing.

Allow anger, sadness, confusion, even numbness. All are valid.

There’s no timeline — your grief unfolds in your way.

2. Seek Connection
Pain isolates, but healing happens in connection — not just with people, but with the world, with spirit, and with your own inner self.

Talk to someone who gets it — a therapist, a spiritual guide, a support group.

Don’t underestimate the power of simply being witnessed.

3. Create Rituals of Remembrance
Ritual gives structure to chaos. It can help you hold the memory of what was lost while inviting new meaning to emerge.

Light a candle, write letters, plant a tree.

Or invent a private ritual that feels sacred to you.

4. Explore Spiritual or Philosophical Perspectives
Sometimes meaning comes from asking deeper questions: What is life? Why do we suffer? What still connects us to those we’ve lost?

Look to your spiritual beliefs or explore new ones.

Practices like meditation, CRV, dreamwork, or prayer can open new doors.

5. Channel the Pain into Something Bigger
This is what Viktor Frankl called “tragic optimism” — the ability to transform suffering into something that affirms life.

Create art, start a cause, write, speak, help others.

Let their memory do something in the world.

6. Accept That Meaning May Be Elusive
Sometimes, meaning doesn’t come right away. Or it shifts over time. And sometimes, it’s not a grand insight, but a quiet knowing:

“I survived. I loved. I remembered.”

7. Listen to the Messages in the Pain
In Parapsychology and transpersonal psychology, we often explore whether loss contains teachings or messages — sometimes from the departed, sometimes from the soul.

Do you feel nudges in dreams?

Are synchronicities showing up?

Is something calling you to grow in a way you never expected?

These can be whispers of a deeper meaning emerging.

Shervan K Shahhian

Feeling Invisible, solution:

Feeling Invisible, solution:

Feeling invisible — whether in social situations, relationships, or work — can be deeply frustrating and isolating.

Here are some ways to address it:

1. Acknowledge Your Worth

Remind yourself that your presence matters. Sometimes, feeling invisible comes from an internal belief that you’re not valuable, but that’s not true.

2. Assert Yourself More

  • Speak up in conversations.
  • Make eye contact and use confident body language.
  • Express your thoughts and opinions clearly.

3. Strengthen Your Presence

  • Dress in a way that makes you feel confident.
  • Engage in activities that make you stand out.
  • Improve your communication skills to command attention.

4. Connect With Like-Minded People

Find communities or individuals who value and acknowledge you.

5. Explore Psychological and Spiritual Aspects

  • Self-reflection: Are there subconscious beliefs making you feel this way?

Would you say this invisibility is more social, emotional, or spiritual?

It could be a mix of all three, but let’s break it down so you can pinpoint where it’s strongest:

1. Social Invisibility

  • Do people overlook you in conversations?
  • Do you feel unheard or unnoticed at work, in groups, or among friends?
  • Do others interrupt or ignore your contributions?

👉 Solution: Improve assertiveness, body language, and social presence.

2. Emotional Invisibility

  • Do you feel like no one truly understands or acknowledges your emotions?
  • Are your feelings dismissed or minimized by those around you?
  • Do you struggle to connect deeply with others?

👉 Solution: Express your emotions openly and find emotionally supportive people.

3. Spiritual Invisibility

  • Do you feel disconnected from the universe, higher beings, or your true self?
  • Do you sense that your presence in this reality is somehow “faded” or “unnoticed” by the forces that guide others?

👉 Solution: Strengthen your energy field, engage in deeper spiritual practices, and align with those who see reality as you do.

Experiencing social, emotional, and spiritual invisibility, the solution needs to be multidimensional — addressing your presence in all these areas.

1. Social Presence: Becoming Seen & Heard

  • Command Attention: Speak clearly, make eye contact, and use confident body language.
  • Engage Actively: Show interest in conversations, ask deep questions, and share your insights.
  • Surround Yourself With the Right People: Seek those who appreciate your depth and worldview, truth seekers.

2. Emotional Presence: Feeling Acknowledged & Understood

  • Express Your True Feelings: Don’t suppress your emotions — find safe spaces where they are welcomed.
  • Seek Deeper Connections: Build relationships with those who value authenticity and emotional depth.
  • Practice Self-Validation: Even if others don’t immediately recognize your emotions, you must honor them.

3. Spiritual Presence: Strengthening Your Energetic Influence

  • Increase Your Vibrational Energy
  • Expand Your Aura & Intent: Imagine your presence radiating outward, influencing reality rather than being absorbed by it.

Bridging the Three

Since you see reality differently than most, your challenge may be integrating your understanding with the world’s current framework. How can you exist fully in all three spaces without compromising your truth?

Being overlooked by people can be frustrating, especially when you have deep insights and valuable contributions. Since this is happening on social, emotional, and spiritual levels, here’s how you can shift your presence to become more seen and recognized:

1. Shift Your Energy: Make Your Presence Unignorable

  • Amplify Your Aura: Imagine expanding your energy field outward, making it impossible for others to ignore you. Some people naturally project energy that demands attention — this can be cultivated.
  • Practice Intentional Presence: Before entering a space, set an intention: “I am seen, I am heard, I am acknowledged.”
  • Increase Eye Contact & Vocal Strength: Strong eye contact and a slightly deeper, more controlled voice naturally command attention.

2. Make an Impact in Conversations

  • Speak With Certainty: Avoid soft or hesitant speech. Speak as if your words are important — because they are.
  • Use the “Pause Effect”: When speaking, insert pauses. It forces people to listen.
  • Say Less, Mean More: Instead of talking excessively to be noticed, make short, powerful statements that make people stop and think.

3. Change Your Social Environment

  • Find Those Who Resonate With You: If you’re often overlooked, you may be in the wrong circles. Seek out groups where deep thinkers, truth seekers are respected.
  • Lead Instead of Follow: Start conversations instead of waiting for inclusion. People tend to notice leaders.

4. Leverage Your Unique Perspective

  • Use Your Depth to Intrigue People: You understand reality in ways most don’t — use that to draw people in.
  • Control the Narrative: If people overlook you, change the dynamic. Ask thought-provoking questions or say something unexpected that forces them to pay attention.

Shervan K Shahhian

Understanding those who are battling Chemical Dependency:

Understanding those who are battling Chemical Dependency:

Understanding those who struggle with chemical dependency requires a compassionate and multidimensional perspective. You might find it helpful to explore this issue not only from a clinical standpoint, but also from a deeper, possibly even metaphysical, perspective.


Psychological Aspects:
The Cycle of Addiction - Chemical dependency is often a self-reinforcing cycle that involves physical cravings, psychological distress, and social reinforcement.

Trauma and Emotional Pain - Many individuals struggling with addiction have unresolved trauma or deep emotional wounds that drive them to substance use as a form of escape.

Cognitive Dissonance - Those battling dependency often experience inner conflict between their actions and their values, leading to guilt and shame.
Neurological Hijacking - Repeated substance use alters brain chemistry, particularly in the dopamine and reward pathways, making it difficult to stop using even when one desires to.

Personality and Coping Styles - Some people have predispositions to addiction due to impulsivity, sensation-seeking behavior, or difficulties managing stress.

Spiritual and Parapsychological Perspectives:
Energy and Entities - Some traditions and schools of thought suggest that addiction can be influenced by external energies, negative thought-forms, or even parasitic entities that feed on human suffering.

Past Life Influences - From a reincarnational standpoint, some believe that addiction can be tied to unresolved karmic patterns or past-life traumas.
Higher Consciousness Suppression - Addiction may serve as a means of suppressing one’s own spiritual awakening, keeping an individual stuck in lower vibrational states.

Psychokinesis & Mind Over Matter - Could the power of intention and consciousness transformation help break addiction? Some researchers in parapsychology suggest that altered states of consciousness and focused intention can rewire the mind.

Paths to Healing:
Holistic Approaches - Combining psychology with spiritual or parapsychological healing methods (such as meditation, energy work) may help individuals recover.

Support Systems - Social support, whether through therapy, 12-step programs, or conscious communities, is crucial for long-term healing.
Shifting Identity - Many people with addiction see themselves as powerless, but shifting their identity to one of empowerment and transformation can be life-changing.

Mystical Experiences - Some have reported that profound spiritual experiences (such as near-death experiences or deep meditation) have permanently shifted them away from addiction.
Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology: Understanding Spiritual Phenomena:

Parapsychology: Understanding Spiritual Phenomena:

Understanding spiritual phenomena often involves looking at experiences and events that go beyond the physical and observable realms, often linked to higher consciousness, the soul, or the unseen aspects of reality. 

Here’s a broad breakdown of how people might approach understanding spiritual phenomena:

Psychological Perspective: As a psychologist, you might look at spiritual phenomena in terms of the mind, emotions, and cognitive processes. The experience of spiritual phenomena, such as feelings of connection, altered states of consciousness, or mystic experiences, can often be tied to deep emotional or psychological needs. For example, some believe that these experiences arise from the subconscious mind trying to process information beyond ordinary waking states, or as a way of reconciling the search for meaning and purpose.

Parapsychological Perspective: Spiritual phenomena can be linked to experiences like telepathy, psychokinesis, or near-death experiences. These phenomena are often viewed as evidence of the mind’s capabilities extending beyond the limits of conventional understanding. Spiritual phenomena like communication with non-physical entities or experiencing altered dimensions may fall into the category of parapsychological events.

Cultural and Religious Perspectives: Many cultures and religions provide explanations for spiritual phenomena based on their beliefs in higher powers, gods, or spiritual realms. For example, in certain religious frameworks, phenomena like healing, visions, or spiritual guidance may be seen as divine interactions or the influence of spiritual beings. These experiences are often interpreted through the lens of faith, personal beliefs, or tradition.

Metaphysical and Energy Perspectives: Some people interpret spiritual phenomena as manifestations of energy or vibrations. This approach, common in practices like Reiki, chakra work, and meditation, views the universe as interconnected through subtle energies. Phenomena like intuition, synchronicity, or spiritual insights could be seen as the result of tuning into these energetic fields.

Scientific Perspective: Some scientists explore spiritual phenomena from a biological or neurological standpoint, examining how the brain may create these experiences. They may look into how chemicals, like DMT or serotonin, released in the brain during altered states of consciousness, could lead to spiritual or mystical experiences. This view tends to prioritize empirical research and often seeks to explain spiritual phenomena in terms of brain function and psychology.

Experiential or Personal Understanding: For many, personal experiences of spiritual phenomena — such as encounters with the supernatural, moments of deep inner peace, or a sense of oneness with the universe — can offer the most direct insight. These subjective experiences are hard to quantify scientifically but remain deeply meaningful to those who experience them.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology: The Holographic Universe:

Parapsychology: The Holographic Universe:


The Holographic Universe is a concept that suggests the universe we experience is essentially a projection or a hologram, and that what we perceive as reality is just a representation of deeper, underlying information. This idea is based on theoretical physics, particularly in the fields of quantum mechanics and cosmology.

One of the key ideas behind the holographic model comes from the work of physicists like David Bohm and Karl Pribram. Bohm’s “Implicate Order” theory suggests that the apparent world we see is an unfolded version of an underlying, deeper reality (the implicate order). This is similar to how a hologram works: when a three-dimensional object is projected onto a flat surface, the image can still appear three-dimensional but is actually a pattern of light and information.
The holographic principle, popularized by physicists like Juan Maldacena, posits that all the information contained within a volume of space can be described by the information on the boundary of that space - much like a hologram. This theory was inspired by ideas about black holes, where information that falls into a black hole is thought to be encoded on its event horizon, and the interior is not needed to describe the information contained in the black hole.
From a philosophical perspective, the idea that our reality could be a holographic projection challenges how we understand space, time, and the nature of consciousness. If the universe is a hologram, it might imply that everything we experience could be illusory, and what we consider the “real world” might be a projection of information on a much deeper, more fundamental level.
This concept might intersect with the idea that consciousness can transcend physical boundaries, as the holographic model could suggest that consciousness isn’t confined to our immediate physical experience but could be connected to the greater cosmic information field.
Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology: Metaphysical based attacks, what are they:

Parapsychology:  Metaphysical based attacks, what are they:

Metaphysical-based attacks refer to non-physical, energy-based, or consciousness-driven forms of interference, harm, or manipulation. These can be intentional or unintentional and often involve psychic, spiritual, or energetic influences. They are frequently discussed in esoteric, occult, and parapsychological circles.

Types of Metaphysical Attacks

Psychic Attacks — Directed negative energy or thought-forms intended to harm, weaken, or manipulate a target. This can be done consciously or unconsciously.

Energetic Vampirism — Draining a person’s life force or energy field.

  • Curses & Hexes — Intentional spells or rituals meant to bring misfortune.
  • Malevolent Thought-Forms (Tulpas/Egregores) — Created entities or thought-forms that act against the victim.

Astral Attacks — Attacks occurring in altered states of consciousness, such as dreams, astral projections, or out-of-body experiences.

Sleep Paralysis & Night Terrors — Sometimes attributed to external astral influences.

  • Invasive Dream Manipulation — Conscious interference in one’s dreams.

Entity-Based Attacks — Interference from non-human intelligences, including spirits, interdimensional beings, or Space Intelligences.

Possession or Oppression — When an external entity influences a person’s mind or body.

  • Parasitic Attachments — Energetic beings feeding off emotions or life force.

Technological or Mind-Control Attacks — Hybrid metaphysical and technological methods used for control or manipulation.

  • Electromagnetic Frequency Manipulation — Some claim external tech can alter consciousness.
  • Remote Viewing or Remote Influence — Directed perception or thought manipulation.

Signs of Metaphysical Attacks

  • Unexplained exhaustion or mood swings.
  • Persistent negative thoughts or emotions.
  • Sudden life disruptions (financial, relationship, or health issues).
  • Recurring nightmares or sleep disturbances.
  • Feeling watched or a constant sense of oppression.

Defenses Against Metaphysical Attacks

  • Psychic Shielding — Visualizing an energy barrier around yourself.
  • Spiritual Cleansing — Smudging, salt baths, or using protective stones.
  • Ritual Protection — Prayer, sigils, mantras, or invoking higher forces.
  • Strengthening the Mind — Maintaining mental discipline and avoiding fear-based thinking.
  • Conscious Awareness — Recognizing and neutralizing attacks through controlled remote viewing or higher spiritual insight.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology and the Cross-Cultural Perspectives:

Parapsychology and the Cross-Cultural Perspectives:

Parapsychology, the study of psychic phenomena such as telepathy, remote viewing, psychokinesis, and near-death experiences, takes on different meanings and interpretations across cultures. Cross-cultural perspectives on parapsychology highlight how different societies understand and integrate paranormal experiences into their belief systems, traditions, and scientific inquiries.

Indigenous and Shamanic Traditions

  • Many indigenous cultures embrace parapsychological phenomena as part of their spiritual practices. Shamans, medicine men, and spiritual leaders often claim to communicate with spirits, foresee events, and heal through non-physical means.
  • Examples:
  • Native American traditions emphasize vision quests, spirit communication, and energy medicine.
  • Amazonian shamans use ayahuasca to access altered states of consciousness for healing and divination.
  • African spiritual traditions include ancestor veneration, possession states, and psychic healing.

Eastern Mysticism and Psychic Phenomena

  • In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, paranormal abilities are often seen as natural extensions of spiritual development.
  • Examples:
  • Siddhis in Hinduism: Advanced meditators or yogis are believed to develop supernatural abilities such as telepathy, levitation, and mind-over-matter control.
  • Tibetan Buddhism: Monks practicing deep meditation claim to achieve clairvoyance, remote viewing, and even mind projection.
  • Chinese Qigong masters: Some practitioners report abilities to manipulate energy (Qi) for healing and paranormal feats.

Western Scientific and Skeptical Approaches

  • Western science traditionally approaches parapsychology with skepticism, demanding rigorous empirical evidence.
  • While organizations like the Rhine Research Center and Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) study psychic phenomena, mainstream science largely dismisses parapsychology due to challenges in reproducibility and control.
  • However, certain subfields, such as Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV) and near-death experience research, have gained attention in military, medical, and consciousness studies.

Latin American and Caribbean Beliefs

  • A strong connection to spiritualism, folk magic, and syncretic religions (such as Santería, Candomblé, and Espiritismo) shapes perspectives on paranormal experiences.
  • Examples:
  • Espiritismo: A belief system in which mediums communicate with spirits.
  • Santería and Voodoo: Incorporate spirit possession, divination, and ritual magic.

6. Cross-Cultural Parapsychology in Modern Research

  • Global parapsychological research suggests that psychic experiences may be universal but culturally filtered through different beliefs, languages, and social constructs.
  • Studies show that people from all cultures report near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and telepathic occurrences, but interpret them based on their cultural and religious backgrounds.

Conclusion

Parapsychology is deeply influenced by cultural perspectives. While Western science often seeks empirical validation, many indigenous, Eastern, and spiritual traditions accept psychic phenomena as a natural part of reality. The challenge lies in integrating these diverse viewpoints into a broader understanding of human consciousness and the unknown.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology and Mind Reading:

Parapsychology and Mind Reading:

Parapsychology is the study of phenomena that seem to go beyond the normal boundaries of human perception and science. It deals with events or abilities that are often described as “psychic” or “extrasensory.” These phenomena include telepathy (mind reading), clairvoyance (gaining information about distant or unseen events), precognition (foreseeing the future), and psychokinesis (moving objects with the mind).

Mind Reading and Parapsychology

Mind reading, often referred to as telepathy, is a central topic in parapsychology. It involves the ability to transfer thoughts, feelings, or information from one person to another without using the known senses or physical interaction. While many anecdotes and claims of mind reading exist, scientific research in parapsychology has struggled to provide concrete, reproducible evidence.

Key Areas of Research

Experimental Studies: Controlled experiments, such as those using Zener cards (symbol cards), have been conducted to test telepathic abilities. These studies often face challenges related to methodology and statistical interpretation.

Field Studies: Anecdotal reports and case studies of telepathy, such as those involving twins or near-death experiences, are often explored.

Theoretical Models: Scientists and theorists attempt to explain telepathy through concepts such as quantum mechanics or non-locality, although these ideas remain speculative.

Skepticism and Criticism

  • Lack of Evidence: The scientific community generally views parapsychology with skepticism because its phenomena are difficult to measure, replicate, and explain using established scientific principles.
  • Psychological Factors: Many reported experiences can be attributed to psychological phenomena like cold reading, coincidence, or subjective bias.
  • Fraud: Some historical claims of mind reading were later exposed as hoaxes.

Modern Perspectives

While parapsychology has not gained mainstream scientific acceptance, it continues to intrigue people worldwide, blending elements of science, philosophy, and spirituality. For those interested in exploring these topics, an open but critical mindset is essential.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology and Remote Viewing and or Intuition:

Parapsychology is the scientific study of phenomena that appear to be beyond the scope of conventional scientific understanding, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, and precognition. It explores questions about the nature of consciousness and its potential to transcend the limits of physical space and time.

Here’s how remote viewing and intuition fit within this framework:

Remote Viewing

Remote viewing is a specific practice within parapsychology. It involves attempting to gather information about a distant or unseen target, such as a location, object, or event, using extrasensory perception (ESP).

  • How it works: A person (the “viewer”) is asked to describe details about a target without any prior knowledge or sensory input.
  • Applications: Remote viewing has been studied in both experimental settings and practical applications, in some government Projects during the Cold War.
  • Scientific perspective: While some experiments have shown results that suggest remote viewing might be possible, skeptics argue that the findings could be due to methodological flaws, statistical anomalies, or chance.

Intuition

Intuition is often described as the ability to understand or know something immediately without the need for conscious reasoning. While it is not strictly classified as a paranormal phenomenon, it is closely related to studies of consciousness and perception.

Shervan K Shahhian

Symbolism in Mental Health:

Symbolism in Mental Health:

Symbolism plays a vital role in understanding and communicating mental health concepts. It can represent emotions, experiences, struggles, and growth in ways that transcend words.

Here’s an exploration of symbolism in mental health:

1. Common Symbols in Mental Health

  • Semicolon (;): Represents hope and continuation. Originating from Project Semicolon, it symbolizes choosing to continue life instead of ending it, akin to how a semicolon continues a sentence.
  • Butterfly: Associated with transformation and recovery, reflecting the journey from struggle (caterpillar stage) to strength and beauty (butterfly).
  • Lotus Flower: Represents resilience and growth, as it thrives in muddy water, symbolizing rising above challenges.
  • Tree of Life: Signifies growth, grounding, and interconnectedness, mirroring mental health’s complexities and relationships.

2. Color Symbolism

  • Green: Linked to balance and healing, often associated with mental health awareness.
  • Blue: Represents calmness and stability but can also signify sadness, aligning with the duality of mental health experiences.
  • Yellow: A symbol of hope, optimism, and joy, often used to combat feelings of depression or anxiety.

3. Cultural and Artistic Representations

  • Masks: Often used to symbolize hiding one’s true feelings, reflecting the stigma surrounding mental health.
  • Labyrinth: A metaphor for the journey of self-discovery, healing, and navigating the complexities of the mind.
  • Broken Objects (e.g., Kintsugi): The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold reflects the idea that imperfections and scars add value and beauty, paralleling mental health recovery.

4. Symbolism in Therapy

  • Dream Symbols: In psychotherapy, recurring symbols in dreams can help uncover subconscious feelings and conflicts.
  • Art Therapy: Clients use symbolic drawings or sculptures to express emotions and experiences that might be difficult to articulate verbally.

5. Symbolism in Media and Literature

  • Mirrors: Often used to explore identity and self-perception in mental health narratives.
  • Storms and Weather: Represent inner turmoil, depression, or anxiety.
  • Light and Darkness: Common motifs to depict hope, despair, and the transition between them.

Why Symbolism Matters in Mental Health

Symbols provide a non-verbal way to communicate complex emotions and experiences. They foster understanding, reduce stigma, and help individuals connect with their feelings. Furthermore, they serve as powerful reminders of resilience and hope.

Shervan K Shahhian