Curious visitors come by the thousands to witness with their own eyes what a 5.5-ton golden miracle looks like, pondering the weight of what it means in their own lives

The story of the Golden Buddha is thought to have begun around the 13th century CE, during the Sukhothai period of Thai history, an era during which experts believe the statue was first built. They also theorize that under the Ayutthaya empire, when faced with a Burmese invasion in 1767, monks covered the statue with stucco and colored glass, thus disguising it as an ordinary statue made of cheap materials to save it from destruction. The Burmese-Siamese War led to the fall of the Ayutthaya empire and the statue was removed from its original location. Fast forward centuries later when in 1955, during one of its relocations, the statue was accidentally dropped, causing some plaster to chip off, revealing a glimmering sliver of its golden core. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the statue was made out of solid gold! 

The true story of the Golden Buddha reminds us of the hidden treasures that lie beneath the protective boundaries we’ve had to create to ensure our survival. Complex trauma survivors naturally self-protect in many ways, and as we grow and walk along our healing path, at our own pace, our self-protective tools evolve along with us, highlighting our resourcefulness, our grit, and our bravery. Our resilience turns to growth, our growth into more healing. Eventually, our survival gives way to thrive, and as we pass it on and pass on our legacy.

As survivors of complex trauma, we have the potential to transform our pain into sources of wisdom, compassion, and growth, and in doing so, to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. We can choose to learn what true peace and freedom feel like within our bodies and hearts, often for the first time. No one wishes trauma upon themselves, any more than we would a cancer or an addiction, which some of us also have. What happened to us and what we did as a result cannot ever be undone, yet healing work can bring us to a place within ourselves where we finally become able to recover and thrive, from the inside out, and that is worth its weight in gold many times over. 

As a Certified Childhood & Sexual Trauma Recovery Coach™ and Clinical EFT Practitioner, I often use the power of metaphors as a healing tool, like my previous post about domino effect science. Along with symbols, images, and somatic responses, metaphors are – unlike words – our subconscious’s native language, a missing link to trauma recovery, post-traumatic growth, and sustainable healing. At its core, the story of the Golden Buddha is a tale of survival, resilience, justice, and overcoming all odds. It is also a tale of patience, nurture, and longevity. A metaphor about never giving up, no matter what, in the face of extreme adversity.

What does the story of the Golden Buddha mean to you?

Hidden Treasure

Just as the Golden Buddha was covered in layers of plaster and mud for 200 years – almost 2,500 years after the death of Siddhartha Gautama – complex trauma survivors have had to develop defense and coping mechanisms to bury unbearable pain and protect themselves from further harm and reinjury, sometimes for most of their lives. These layers can manifest as dissociation or chronic avoidance of emotions or memories associated with our traumas.

Overcoming

Despite its disguise, the Golden Buddha remained intact and authentic at its core for centuries, until it was safe for it to become exposed to the light and shine again. Complex trauma survivors possess incredible resilience, inner strength, and resources, which we can learn to tap into and draw upon on our healing journey to overcome adversity and reclaim our lives.

Self-Discovery

Similarly to how the chipping away of the plaster revealed the glorious gold underneath, the journey to recovery from complex trauma involves gradually uncovering and rediscovering one’s authentic Self. This process may involve trauma recovery coaching or therapy, self-reflection, self-expression, connection, and the courage to feel painful emotions that have been buried for years, even decades.

Transformation

As survivors of complex trauma, we have the potential to transform our pain into sources of wisdom, compassion, and growth, and in doing so, to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. We can choose to learn what true peace and freedom feel like within our bodies and hearts, often for the first time. No one wishes trauma upon themselves, any more than we would a cancer or an addiction, which some of us also have. What happened to us and what we did as a result cannot ever be undone, yet healing work can bring us to a place within ourselves where we finally become able to recover and thrive, from the inside out, and that is worth its weight in gold many times over. 

Beneath the layers of pain and suffering lies our essence, our authentic Self: Resilient, precious, untouched, worthy of unconditional love.

It is likely that I will never get to Wat Traimit in my lifetime. In fact, many of us never will either. Still, the Golden Buddha story offers us real hope and inspiration as we heal from complex trauma, reminding us all that beneath the layers of pain and suffering lies our essence, our authentic Self: resilient, precious, untouched, worthy of unconditional love.

Guest Post Disclaimer: Any and all information shared in this guest blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this blog post, nor any content on CPTSDfoundation.org, is a supplement for or supersedes the relationship and direction of your medical or mental health providers. Thoughts, ideas, or opinions expressed by the writer of this guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of CPTSD Foundation. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Full Disclaimer.

Sophie Gourdon, M.Ed, MA, CTRC, CHt

As the Founder of Little Wave Coaching, LLC, Sophie walks alongside complex trauma survivors, helping them recover and thrive beyond trauma to live more connected, meaningful, authentic lives. She is a Somatic IFS-Informed Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Certified Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques practitioner, and Certified Consulting Hypnotist. She is also a complex, childhood, and sexual trauma overcomer. She offers evidence-based coaching to survivors seeking to overcome their anxiety, overwhelm, cravings, chronic pain, complex, childhood, or sexual trauma. Littlewavecoaching.com is a comprehensive self-healing resource welcoming and supporting all complex trauma survivors seeking recovery. It is packed with psychoeducation about somatic tools like Emotional Freedom Techniques, Tapping, IFS/Parts Work, Solution-Driven Hypnosis, and Brain Rewiring, as well as hundreds of resources (e.g. 130+ videos, 50+ books, 80+ calm kit tools & more).

www.littlewavecoaching.com

Life is a series of dominoes—each experience triggering the next, creating a chain reaction that shapes our journey

For those navigating the path of healing from complex trauma, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of past experiences. But within this very sequence lies a profound lesson: the domino effect can be harnessed as a force for resilience and transformation.

Healing from complex trauma is not a linear process; it’s a journey with many twists and turns, setbacks and triumphs. Like a domino setup, it may seem that one fall could cause the collapse of the entire structure. But what if we reframed our perspective? What if, instead of fearing the falling dominoes, we embraced the potential they hold?

The first step in this journey is acknowledging your strengths, no matter how small, because our strengths are the resources we can use to build from. You’ve endured and survived. That resilience is the cornerstone upon which you build your path to healing. Each domino represents a step forward—a trauma recovery coaching session, a moment of self-reflection, a meditation, a prayer, the decision to confront a particular fear, a day, or even just an hour or a minute where you can choose self-care over self-doubt.

Often, we underestimate the power of small actions. Imagine each action as a domino, poised to tip the next one. A kind word to yourself or seeking support from a friend or an online support group—these seemingly small actions set off a chain reaction. They create momentum, gradually shifting the trajectory of your healing journey.

There will be many moments when you feel stuck, when progress seems halted, to be sure. So it’s crucial to remember that just as a chain reaction slows at times, it doesn’t mean it’s stopped. It only takes one domino to restart the cascade—a moment of insight, a breakthrough with your coach, or a newfound coping mechanism. These moments reignite the domino effect, propelling you forward once again.

Healing from complex trauma requires patience and understanding. Be gentle with yourself at your current ability level, when the road feels arduous. Remember, it’s okay to rest. Even in rest, as you catch your breath, the dominoes are still in place, ready to move when you’re rejuvenated and prepared to continue.

Community and support are pillars of strength. Surround yourself with individuals who uplift and encourage your journey. Share your story (only what feels ok and safe to share), and connect with others who have walked similar paths. In doing so, you create a network of interconnected dominoes, each supporting the other, amplifying the power of collective resilience.

As the dominoes fall, each one symbolizes progress—a testament to your courage and determination. Embrace the idea that healing is not about erasing the past but about finding peace from it. Your wounds turn into scars and your scars tell stories of your survival, resilience, and eventual triumph.

IT’S NOT MAGIC, IT’S SCIENCE:

WHAT EXPONENTIAL GROWTH TRULY LOOKS LIKE 

Imagine this: a single domino can topple another, and that one, in turn, can set off a chain reaction. This simple idea embodies the science of the domino effect—an illustration of how small actions can lead to massive results. The “magic” lies in the exponential growth inherent in this phenomenon: When a domino falls, it can knock over another domino that’s about 1.5 times larger. This seemingly minor increase in size results in a progressively greater force. After just 23 dominoes, the last one would be as tall as the Empire State Building. And with only a few more, those dominoes could stretch all the way to the moon!

This scientific principle mirrors the journey of recovering from complex trauma. Initially, taking those first small steps might not seem significant, but each action creates a ripple effect, setting off a sequence of events that gain momentum over time.

So, as you embark on your trauma recovery journey, remember the power of the domino effect. Every small step forward is like toppling a domino, setting in motion a chain reaction of healing. Embrace the compounding effect of these actions, knowing that they have the potential to create a monumental shift in your life.

1st Domino:

The size of a standard domino is roughly about 2 inches by 1 inch (5 cm by 2.5 cm).

5th Domino:

Comparable to a smartphone, measuring approximately 5.5 inches by 2.75 inches (14 cm by 7 cm).

10th Domino:

Roughly the size of a standard laptop, around 15 inches by 9.5 inches (38 cm by 24 cm).

20th Domino:

Similar in size to a small flat-screen TV, approximately 1.05 meters by 41 inches by 20 inches (0.52 meters).

23rd Domino:

Reaching the height of an average adult, standing at about 5 feet 7 inches tall (1.70 meter).

26th Domino:

Towering to the height of a two-story house, at approximately 14 feet 5 inches (4.39 meters).

29th Domino:

Standing at approximately 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) tall, the height of the Empire State Building.

50th Domino:

Using the initial domino as a reference (approximately 2 inches or 5 cm tall), it would take around 50 iterations of the 1.5 times growth to achieve a height capable of reaching the moon. So, after merely getting to the 50th domino in the sequence, with the exponential growth continuing, you could literally reach or even surpass the distance to the moon (238,855 miles or 384,400 kms from Earth)!

This staggering illustration showcases the incredible power of exponential growth in the domino effect, and the astonishing progression in size as the dominoes continue to fall. From the small scale of handheld objects to human-sized and even architectural and astronomical proportions, this sequence illustrates the tremendous impact that the cumulative effect of small actions can have as we take one step back, then one small step forward, and then another, and another, on our brave journey towards trauma recovery. In the face of daunting challenges, you may not always be able to see it, yet it is a scientific fact that every small action sets off a chain reaction, capable of monumental outcomes.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Within the simple fall of a domino lies a profound lesson—the power of resilience and the potential of incremental progress. Each step forward, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the exponential chain reaction of your growth and transformation.

As you bravely navigate the journey of healing from complex trauma, remember the wisdom of the domino effect and trust the resilience within you because as a survivor, you have indeed survived 100% of everything you have had to endure to get to this very blog post today.

Embrace your process, with all its highs and lows, knowing that your actions, each one akin to toppling a domino, carry within them the potential for monumental transformation, in the same way that the humble acorn carries within its tiny, hardened shell, the promise of a mighty oak.

ARE YOU READY TO RECOVER WITH THE SUPPORT OF

A CERTIFIED COMPLEX TRAUMA RECOVERY COACH? 

BOOK A FREE 45-MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL WITH ME!

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Guest Post Disclaimer: Any and all information shared in this guest blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this blog post, nor any content on CPTSDfoundation.org, is a supplement for or supersedes the relationship and direction of your medical or mental health providers. Thoughts, ideas, or opinions expressed by the writer of this guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of CPTSD Foundation. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Full Disclaimer.

Sophie Gourdon, M.Ed, MA, CTRC, CHt

As the Founder of Little Wave Coaching, LLC, Sophie walks alongside complex trauma survivors, helping them recover and thrive beyond trauma to live more connected, meaningful, authentic lives. She is a Somatic IFS-Informed Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Certified Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques practitioner, and Certified Consulting Hypnotist. She is also a complex, childhood, and sexual trauma overcomer. She offers evidence-based coaching to survivors seeking to overcome their anxiety, overwhelm, cravings, chronic pain, complex, childhood, or sexual trauma. Littlewavecoaching.com is a comprehensive self-healing resource welcoming and supporting all complex trauma survivors seeking recovery. It is packed with psychoeducation about somatic tools like Emotional Freedom Techniques, Tapping, IFS/Parts Work, Solution-Driven Hypnosis, and Brain Rewiring, as well as hundreds of resources (e.g. 130+ videos, 50+ books, 80+ calm kit tools & more).

www.littlewavecoaching.com