I've been pondering this trend related to trigger warnings. It's given me misgiving and came across a podcast that casts light on it, helps me understand why I'm concerned. The podcast is "Donald Kalsched: Trauma & the Informed Heart," in the This Jungian Life series. Kalsched is a Jungian analyst and author who's worked extensively to apply Jungian theory to trauma and the healing from it. I've appreciated how he identifies the defenses in dreams as a "self-help system" that might at times prevent us or hold us back from letting the healing in.
The discussion on the podcast is among four Jungian analysts and centers on the splitting off of emotions in our current culture. Host Lisa Marchiano points out “I see in our culture an expectation that we should never feel anything uncomfortable.”
My daughter experienced reverse wounding when students accused her of triggering them in class discussion.
Kalshed worries that people are focused on safe zones, comfort animals and canceling speakers rather than on the work of healing. “Dissociation is the shadow side of the work being done on trauma”, he explained, disappointed in this aberration of trauma theory.
Joseph, another analyst, further elaborated that “I’m uncomfortable’” has come to mean harm.
Kalsched broadened this to the breakdown of our democracy, “If our ego can’t hold conflict, we dissociate, split off the uncomfortable part and project it onto someone else by attacking them.” Just like our psyche needs to integrate disparate parts, so a democracy requires that ability. Otherwise, we can’t cultivate healthy debate.
Kalshed concludes, “We need to rekindle and reconnect to our emotions. The heart center, where our feelings are, is the royal road to healing.”
Leave a comment if you’re inspired.
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