We need wisdom.
When I was in therapy, I noticed a strange assortment of books on the shelves in my psychologist’s office. I even saw the book “The Primal Scream” which you might have heard of.
"Definition of PRIMAL SCREAM THERAPY
: psychotherapy in which the patient recalls and reenacts a particularly disturbing past experience usually occurring early in life and expresses normally repressed anger or frustration especially through spontaneous and unrestrained screams, hysteria, or violence —called also primal therapy " - Webster’s.
Anyway, seeing that book, I thought perhaps I was in the hands of a kook. (Pot calling the kettle black ) I mentioned my concern to this wise and experienced counselor (as I learned to think of him) and he shared his philosophy of healing with me - in short, that over the years he had accumulated quite a number of approaches to therapy, and had used all of them at various times DEPENDING on the need of the ‘patient’. There were a few people whose needs were such that the primal scream approach actually worked a cure, or at least alleviated symptoms.
I did not scream. He wisely chose another path for me.
Since then - and this was 25 years ago - I’ve used Will’s advice and been flexible with my choice of coping methods. I’m not an uninformed person, and I take my time understanding the underlying philosophy of the methodology I’m considering, so I’ve been able to build up a number of good defensive measures - guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and yes - Zen meditation, sitting meditation, awareness meditation. Along those lines, the “Miracle of Mindfulness” (amazon.com/The-Miracle-Mindf … 0807012394) has been the most helpful for me. I’m just saying - it’s fine to try different things, just keep your eyes open, ask questions, make sure you know what you are getting into. Even the 'Jesus Prayer" (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner) repeated with the breath, over and over with mindfulness, can work a great calm - and this is a type of meditation.