A healthy happy person will overcome sadness associated with a traumatic experience with astonishing speed. He or she will live in the present rather than the past (sometimes a yogi is defined as a person who is able to live fully in the present rather than in the past or future). The person will perform everyday tasks with their usual efficiency rather than being distracted by grief. Caroline Myss (author of Anatomy of the Spirit) records the case of a young woman who lived life in the present. She was very much in love with her husband who suddenly died. So rapid was this woman's recovery that she found a new husband within a month or so of the date of death. Her family were accustomed to more traditional recovery rates and could not accept this sudden change.

Likewise for an advanced yogi, there will be no disturbance to his or her activities and functioning. It is the nature of the Soul to remain blissful whilst in the presence of God and to be essentially troubled whilst in contact with worldly affairs. The yogi will feel sad for others but not for him or herself. Death in itself is no cause for grief because he or she realises that all that is happening is that the Soul is exchanging one body for another.

A person who suffers a tragedy may have a variety of emotions and thoughts besides grief, for example anger, guilt, disbelief, shock, a feeling of helplessness and the thought of why me? What can be done to recover or recover quickly?

• For anger and guilt the question arises as to whether these are based on fact or not. If not, a rational thought process of questioning and examining the circumstances may help. If it is, logical thinking may also help, by realizing that one has learnt a lesson and needs to move on
• At some times the person will wish to be alone and at others to have company and to 'cry on someone's shoulder'. Friends or loved one's should offer help, company and advice consistently with the person's wishes. The person may wish to talk about their experiences and thoughts and feelings (or to cry and show emotions) as part of their healing process
• One should be careful about going to councilling or to self support groups as these may prolong the period of recovery by making the person dwell in the past
• Religious practices are very effective
• The emotional energy field will be the one most affected and some of the help contained in that article may be of benefit
• The person needs to be encouraged to get back to a normal life, to live in the present and to keep him or herself busy (but not to supress grief)
• Another issue is how to respond when someone is attacked and the article 'What Should One Do When attacked' may be of help.