Dr. James S. Gordon rejoins Raghu for a humbling discussion on transforming trauma in war-stricken countries like Ukraine.
James S. Gordon, MD, a Harvard-educated psychiatrist, is internationally recognized for using self-awareness, self-care, and group support to heal population-wide psychological trauma. He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Center for Mind-Body Medicine, and the author of The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma, and Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression. Learn more about him at JamesGordonMD.com.
The World at Large // War & Trauma
Picking up where they left off last time Dr. Gordon was on the show, Raghu and Dr. Gordon discuss the various calamities afflicting the world today, and how we can healthily transform and release the trauma caused by them. To begin, Raghu invites Dr. Gordon to reflect on his recent trips offering trauma assistance in Eastern European countries like war-stricken Ukraine and their close neighbor and refuge, Poland.
“Once you put the word out, and once you put yourself out, if the opportunity is right and appropriate, the doors start to open.” – Dr. James S. Gordon
Dr. James Gordon & Raghu discuss transforming trauma, on Ep. 336 of Mindrolling
Transformation Through Trauma // Generosity & Courage (16:16)
Dr. Gordon shares that his publisher HarperOne will be releasing his vital book, The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma, in Ukrainian without taking profits or royalties. Through this lens of offering selfless assistance to those in need, Dr. Gordon explains the healing process taking place in his online trauma trainings and discussion groups—showcasing how we can process our anger, grow through our suffering, and transform through our trauma.
“The lesson for Americans is not to just support the people of Ukraine, but let’s bring a little more courage, generosity and authenticity into our own public and private lives.” – Dr. James S. Gordon
Jack Kornfield invites us into the war-free zone of the heart, on Ep. 150 of Heart Wisdom
Grief, Embodiment, & Reaching Out // Woodstock & Psychedelics (40:00)
Speaking to the process of processing grief, Dr. Gordon reflects on how we first must acknowledge the pain, and then offers the crucial advice of getting in the body and moving around. From here, Raghu talks about the immediate healing power inherent in reaching out to somebody. Next, Raghu asks Dr. Gordon about his trippy time dancing at Woodstock; before closing with a discussion around the benefits of psychedelics.
“Our job with our friends and people we care about is just to be there for them, to offer ourselves, and to help them see what might be helpful to them without any expectations and without preaching.” – Dr. James S. Gordon