During fifteen years of working with individuals recovering from massive trauma, some hypotheses have occurred to me. What if the immune system is a sensory system? Its mission, to discern the presence of threat and danger, to discern the presence of "self" vs. "not-self." Its method of protection, instantaneous defensive mobilization- sometimes local, sometimes systemic, sometimes at a cellular level, sometimes involving activation of central nervous system and metabolic systems.

The immune system senses all trauma to body and mind-accidents, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual), medical treatment and medical illness, isolation and neglect, assault by strangers and assault by trusted powerful others, viral or bacterial infections, and chronic physical or emotional stress. So when the immune system senses trauma, what occurs?

First, we see a neurological disconnect. In order to protect us from overwhelming pain, we disconnect from the experience, in more or less extreme ways. This protects us in the moment, but makes it difficult to process the experience, because we literally cannot get to the memory in usual ways.

Second, parts that are split off as a result of tauma tend to become extreme and behave in rigid and disconnected ways. "Manager parts" try to get us through the day. "Vulnerable parts" feel scared, sad and overwhelmed. "Protective parts" get angry or distract us through too much work, joking around or addictions.

Third, energy of the traumatic memory is held in the body. Because of the neurological disconnect, this physical tension in the body is difficult to release, and predisposes us to development of stress-related immunological disorders.

Fourth, we begin to avoid stimuli ("triggers") that remind us of the trauma, and avoidance and shut-down make our experience even more complex and confusing, to ourselves and to others.

And, fifth, the disconnects, tension, and avoidance or shut-down tend to result in emotional and cognitive developmental delays. Parts that have experienced trauma tend to be "frozen in time," to keep repeating trauma-related patterns, and are unable to learn and grow.

So what do we experience in the weeks or months after a trauma has occurred? There may be extreme shifts in energy and mood. These may take the form of "acute episodes," triggered by stimuli from outside or from within. There may be irritability, emotional dyscontrol (bursting into tears), exhaustion or "crashing" as the body goes into and out of disconnected states. Extreme shifts from manager parts to vulnerable parts, and then angry protective parts can make us lose our balance. These shifts can make us appear "crazy," to ourselves and to others. Our parts are trying to keep us safe by disconnecting, avoiding, distracting, holding tension in the body. They will repeat these patterns over and over and over, as if our life depends on it, which they believe it does.

But there is a part of us that knows there is another way to be safe. This part is the Self or Center. Parts do not usually like each other, and complete for control of our thoughts and behavior. The Self, however, feels calm, compassionate, and curious, and connects in a positive way with all parts, in ourselves and in others. We need to find this "Self energy" within ourselves before trying to conect with anyone else. If we have experienced trauma, this may be difficult. But it is well worth the effort. From the perspective of Self, parts are immediately discernable by their energy ... sad, scared, angry, controlling. Parts are not who I am. Parts are not who you are. The Self is who I am. The Self is who you are.

From this perspective, staying connected with the Self allows us constant access to safe space, sacred space. Only in safe space can we begin to untangle the neurological disconnects, avoidance, and shut-downs that have resulted from trauma. Only in safe space can we deal with being triggered in a way that heals, instead of harming ourselves and others, over and over again.

This is trickier than it sounds. Parts can be very ingenious in protecting their territory. They are in control, and we need to ask their permission before beginning any work to loosen these patterns. An individual may be able to help himself or herself get back in balance when behaviors are mild or moderate. But as symptoms become more extreme, the individual loses ability to perceive and stop these behaviors, and family members or others may need to step in and ask, "Are you okay?" However, each of us has the responsibility for keeping in balance, and it is always preferable to us to monitor and balance our own behaviors.

What does the immune system think about all this (speaking hypothetically and metaphorically)?

Remember that the immune system's job is to sense danger, and that it does this by sensing the presence of self vs. not-self. If something is not-self, then I will have an allergic (or aversive) reaction, and try to get it out of my space. What if we re-define danger? A parts or Self model says that danger is not just in what is different from me, or "not-me." Danger is in disconnection from Self, which is me, and which is you. The immune system's job description slowly becomes redefined.

Discovering Self energy and developing the ability to stay in this energy throughout the day is an amazing adventure. It is the path to coping with trauma and recovering from trauma. Thos who meditate or practice energy cultivation such as Qi Gung know this also is the path toward transformation of many kinds. May all beings be safe... may all beings be happy... may all beings be healthy... may all beings awake and be free!