The TARA Approach - Healing Shock and Trauma

Ending the Cycle of Violence in Families, Communities and Worldwide

The TARA Approach is taught in hospitals, universities, social service agencies, domestic violence shelters, at midwifery schools, and wherever there is a need and an organizational structure to support its delivery. The TARA Studio in Eldorado Springs, Colorado, has been home base since the program’s inception in 1995. Small groups meet there for highly personalized mentorship and study with Dr. Mines. TARA Approach programs are currently ongoing in Colorado, Hawaii, Washington, Oklahoma, Oregon, Spain and Mexico, and rapidly spreading throughout the US and abroad. If you would like to find out how the TARA Approach could benefit you or your organization, please call us at 800-493-6117, or send us an email: domproject@tara-approach.org. Also see our current schedule of classes.

The TARA Approach for the Resolution of Shock and Trauma is a healing system with four unique attributes:

1. It differentiates shock from trauma.
2. It is self-care and empowerment based. Its purpose is to allow everyone to be in the center of his or her own healing process.
3. It advocates and teaches the use of subtle energy medicine as the most effective treatment of shock and trauma.
4. The TARA Approach serves communities as well as individuals in need. It serves via a non-profit organizational structure committed to providing resources for a variety of communities, including people living with AIDS and HIV, survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence, and parents and children.

WHAT IS SHOCK AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM TRAUMA?

Shock is the most severe form of trauma. It occurs when resources are non-existent, insufficient, or impossible to access.

Shock is more debilitating than trauma.

When shock that is stored in the body is activated, all unresolved shocks are simultaneously activated. This activation occurs at unconscious levels that are neither logical nor consistent. Trauma, on the other hand, is activated thematically. In other words, one can feel odd, nervous, impulsive, ill, uncomfortable or any other sensation, and not know that this is the result of shock activation. When trauma is activated, there are patterns that are understandable. The problem is relatively easy to solve.

The physiological responses to shock are long term. Chronic conditions represent an adaptation to shock. For this reason the resolution of shock is dependent on resourcing.

Prenatal shock is tenacious in its impact because it represents formative, non-cognitive experience.

THE ROLE OF THE TARA APPROACH IN THE RESOLUTION OF SHOCK

Education about shock – its treatment and resolution – is critical to ending violence individually, in families, in communities, and worldwide.

The TARA Approach is devoted to this education. It encourages people to be proactive to resolve shock and trauma in their own bodies and in their communities.

Education takes place most effectively through an organic process that encourages people who have experienced the healing power of this work to share it with others. The credentials required to do this are primarily experiential. There are fundamental skills that the TARA Approach imparts, but the most important qualification for being able to teach and practice this healing system are: the successful use of it and enthusiasm for its dissemination.

The components of the TARA Approach to the Resolution of Shock and Trauma are:

1. Jin Shin Tara: A subtle energy medicine system informed by pulse diagnosis and the energy pathways on the etheric body known as the Rivers of Splendor. The tools necessary to use this system are made available through the TARA Approach.
2. A basic understanding of the physiological and neurological impacts of shock and trauma.
3. The use of language as well as touch to restore true health and release essence.

SUBTLE ENERGY MEDICINE

What is subtle energy medicine and why is it the most effective treatment for shock and trauma? Subtle energy medicine is an approach to healing that focuses on non-invasive modalities such as gentle touch, suggestion, containment, awareness, perspective, visualization, creativity, relaxation, meditation, ritual and ceremony, and presence. It addresses the non-material world that is entirely energetic.

Subtle energy medicine is holistic in its approach. It is centered in the strengthening of spirit and consciousness. There is a completely non-sectarian but highly spiritual dimension to all subtle energy medicine. Spirit in this regard is defined as each individual’s personal relationship to the Divine. This is what is strengthened in the consistent use of subtle energy medicine. The Divine may be described in whatever way an individual chooses. It is primarily through this strengthening of spirit that health is restored. The overall objective of the use of subtle energy medicine is the manifestation of individual essence or Soul.

The overwhelming invasions of shock and trauma are violent. Particularly with shock, there is a sudden and blinding loss of power and perspective. The Soul or Essence, is frequently masked, or goes into hiding, and spirit is weakened.

The restorative process cannot occur in the same forceful manner as the distressing experience. Healing demands an approach that empowers free will and never violates it.

Catharsis is not helpful in the treatment of shock and trauma and regression to historical events must be done very carefully. Subtle energy medicine, carefully considered and well educated dialogue, and empowering action are all the recommended tonics used by the TARA Approach.

Shock and trauma are stored in the etheric body, which is the energetic body directly outside the physical body. In order for shock and trauma to be resolved they have to be cleared from the etheric body. This is primarily an energetic process. The etheric body is most powerfully touched by loving self-care. The most potent loving contact we can receive is from the Divine and ourselves.

In healing from shock and trauma, the resolution is always a restoration of Soul (Essence) and the activation of spirit (action) in the service of Essence. When this is experienced, healing is complete. This is an internal shift. It can only arise from within. It is in the name of this shift that all the TARA Approach modalities are employed.

Stephanie Mines, Ph.D.
Founder, The TARA Approach and the DOM Project