From
a uniquely positive vantage point Process Work sees life to be the search
for self-knowledge and coma an exceptional life form that is still meaningful.
******************
Coma
is
a deeply altered state of consciousness.
It
is usually defined as a condition with complete unawareness of the self
and the environment.
It
can result from many medical processes such as brain injuries, heart
attacks, strokes, or situations near death.
New
research suggests that in fact comatose patients can register what is
going on around them but are unable to respond in usual ways. Their
expressive behaviors being limited to behavioral fragments and minimal
cues.
Arnold
Mindell founder of Process Work always believed that coma
patients have inner awareness. With his wife Amy he developed a method
of communicating with patients in coma that is attuned to their altered
states and minimal communication signals.
This
method called Coma Work
(open this link to get to a more detailed description) looks for doorways
into the patients' inner experiences through:
- Subtle
or incomplete movements,
- changes
in the rate and depth of breath, and
- facial
cues
To
find ways to unfold an interactive dialogue and assist in the inner
process the patient is experiencing.
******************
Recommended
Reading
For
a good testimonial click below:
STORIES OF AMAZING RECOVERIES
See
also: Schiff, E., Yoon-Hang, K., & Maizes, V. (2005):
Vegetative States - an Integrative Approach. Alternative Therapies,
Vol 11, No. 1, 26-33.