Principle 6 of 8
Courage
Feel what you have avoided. Walk toward what asks to be healed.
We often build our lives around avoiding certain feelings. That makes sense: those feelings once felt too big to bear. Courage is the willingness to turn toward them now, from a safer place, one step at a time.
Courage in this work is rarely dramatic. It can be as simple as answering a question honestly, naming a trigger, or asking for help.
Walking toward what asks to be healed does not mean forcing yourself. Courage goes hand in hand with compassion and patience. It is wise to go slowly, and to seek support when something feels like too much.
Reflection
What feeling or situation have you been avoiding that is asking for your attention?
These principles come from From Wound to Wisdom, where they form the foundation for deeper inner work. To see how they fit into the healing process, read about Alberto’s approach to healing emotional trauma.
A gentle note. This work is spiritual and educational in nature. It complements, and does not replace, the care of a licensed mental health professional or medical treatment. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis line right away.
The book
From Wound to Wisdom
A shamanic approach to healing emotional trauma
A grounded guide to laying a strong foundation for inner work through eight principles of self-love — so healing can take root in daily life.