Spirituality for Trauma Healing
If you have or are struggling with emotional problems and/or addictions, you need a force that is much bigger than yourself to help overcome these challenges. Your savior is not going to come from your friends, family, or lover. They can only handle so much.
From my experience as a life coach for entrepreneurs, I have discovered that the solution is spirituality. Yes, I said, spirituality, not religion. In this article, we will discuss the connection between healing from trauma and spirituality.
Why spirituality Denise?
Based on my professional experience as a life coach for entrepreneurs, I understand that knowledge about your trauma and your resulting feelings is just the first step towards recovery. In order to fully heal, you must understand how your soul also needs a place and space to recover.
The purpose of this article isn’t to try to convert you to believe a particular faith or practice, but to help you discover a spiritual path that resonates best to you.
First, let’s talk about the body, mind and soul connection and why you are more than just a human being living a finite existence.
The body, mind and soul connection
One unit, with three parts
It is important to understand that you are composed of three parts: your body, your mind, and your soul.
You are a spirit trapped in a physical body, but you emanate energy that can either attract or repel certain forces.
For instance, my article resonates with you because I vibrate at the frequency that appeals to your soul. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even bother reading the rest of this article.
If you aim to heal your emotional trauma, you must reintegrate all the fragmented parts of yourself. When we experience trauma or abuse, our body attempts to suppress the pain through compulsions and addictions. Although it may provide temporary relief, it ultimately harms us spiritually.
A Power that will lead you towards sanity
I have used many things to help improve my mindset and aid in my personal recovery program. One of the most helpful programs was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Sexaholics Anonymous (SA).
The Alcoholics Anonymous program is a 12-step program that aids in alcoholism recovery. This program offers a set of guidelines for alcoholics to follow during their recovery journey, and many programs like SA borrow from AA’s language. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Addicts in recovery learn each of the 12 steps. The second step is as follows:
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Why do addicts need a higher Power?
Addiction causes us to do lots of bizarre things that embarrass not only ourselves but others as well. Despite the consequences of our decisions, like a moth to a flame, the compulsion leads us back to “crazy town”. This “power” is the only way out from maladaptive or destructive tendencies.
Addiction, drama, and confusion have skewed our perspective on all things – spirituality included.
In the next section, we will discuss why spirituality is often interlaced with religion.
You are a spirit trapped in a physical body, but you emanate energy that can either attract or repel certain forces.
Why spirituality and religion gets mixed up
Religious leaders and parents who violate trust
First of all, I apologize to those of you who were abused by religious leaders and parents who violated your trust and took advantage of you in the worst manner.
My mother would make me read the Bible multiple times, then molest me before we slept together in our shared bedroom. For years, I struggled to read Psalm 91 in the Bible because of those traumatic memories.
Even if you were not molested or abused, you may have other reasons for your resistance to spirituality or religion.
Other reasons for resistance to spirituality or religion
I don’t know what you experienced during childhood, but I can help you understand yourself in a deeper level. Below are some questions to help you clarify your thoughts about spirituality and/or religion:
- Does the hypocritical behavior of your parents or family members repel your from any form of faith?
- What is your idea of spirituality?
- Today, who or what influences your beliefs about spirituality?
Lots of people have abandoned soul-cleansing work because they associate it with the people who distorted spiritual ideas.
— Denise Lee (@DeniseGLee) July 30, 2023
Zealots and hypocrites distort face from fiction.
Please, separate the behavior of fallible people from the truth which will heal your soul. https://t.co/d1RcjZqS6g
Let’s take a bigger dive into the differences between spirituality and religion.
Contrast spirituality from religion
Below is a table that distinguishes spirituality from religion.
| Religion | Spirituality | |
| Flexibility and Diversity | Rigid with established traditions, rituals, and practices. | Flexible and adaptable. It can be independent of cultural or societal norms. |
| Dogma vs Personal Experience | Contains a set of prescribed beliefs and dogmas that are determined by religious authorities or sacred texts. | Based on your unique and personal experinces. |
| Institutionalization | Organized and structured institution with established beliefs, rituals, and practices. Includes religious leaders, places of worship (temples, churches, mosques, etc.), and a specific set of rules or commandments that followers are expected to abide by. | An individualistic and personal journey. It doesn’t require adherence to specific doctrines or membership in a formal institution. People can explore and experience spirituality in their own unique ways, independent of any religious affiliation. |
Next, let’s how spirituality can help you heal.
How spirituality can help you heal
Trauma healing is soul healing, but the solution really depends on you.
Spirituality is simply understanding that your soul is part of an immense universe, and religion is just a set of rules created by men. Faith is believing in something without evidence to prove it.
The power of spirituality, not religion
I need spirituality and faith as part of my personal recovery program. During my binge drinking and casual sex days, I couldn’t imagine my current life. I needed something bigger than me.
Things have improved since those dark days. I am married with a son, and a live and happy and stable life. Friend: Faith and spirituality, not religion, will bring you back to spiritual health.
As you recover and gain clarity, you’ll find the spiritual vehicle or belief system that works best for you.
Explore your own path
Exploring spirituality is a deeply personal journey that can take many different forms.
Here are some thoughts you can consider as you embark on your exploration of spirituality:
- Where do I find answers regarding spirituality? Why?
- Which religious or spiritual teachings interest me the most now? Why?
Reflect on your beliefs and values
Examine your current beliefs and values. Here are some questions to assist you:
- What is the meaning and purpose of life?
- Which virtues are important to you? Why?
- What are your thoughts about spirituality and faith?
Understanding your existing beliefs will help you identify areas of spirituality you may want to explore further.
Next, we will discuss the collective unconscious and why it will help you heal from unresolved emotional pain.
The collective unconscious
Part of your study program will include learning from those who carry more insight than you. They may or may not have had similar experiences as you, but they can help you put your past or present pain into perspective.
Next, we will discuss using the collective unconscious to explore your spirituality in a deeper level.
Healing through universal experiences
The collective unconscious is a concept introduced by the Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung, who was a prominent figure in the field of psychology and a follower of Sigmund Freud.
The collective unconscious is a part of the unconscious mind shared by all human beings. It contains universal experiences, memories, and symbols that are common to all humanity.
Unlike personal unconsciousness, which contains an individual’s unique experiences and memories, the collective unconscious is considered to be the deeper, inherited layer of the psyche that transcends individuality.
The power of the written word
To expand your knowledge, learn from the collective through books, articles, and teachings on different spiritual traditions and practices. This can include religious texts, philosophical works, or books on meditation and mindfulness.
Victor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” and Maxwell Maltz’s “Psycho-Cybernetics” and “Miracles Happen” by Mary Kay Ash are some of my most meaningful books. Each of these authors has been deceased for at least 20 years, but their words continue to impact my mind every time I read them.
Next, we will discuss the importance of dedicating time towards your spirituality.
Dedicate time
Of course you cannot see results with your spiritual program unless you dedicate time to practice it.
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can practice your spiritual practice without distractions. Start with a few minutes each day and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.
I always start my day with reading from the Bible, gratitude and breath work. This empowers me to face my known and unknown challenges I will face throughout the day. I prioritize my self-care so that I have clarity of mind.
Next, I will share with you my final thoughts regarding spirituality and your healing journey.
Final Thoughts
Your spiritual journey belongs to you and you alone. While I am a Christ-follower, I know that you need to find a path that aligns with your soul. Don’t stop seeking until you find something that works for you.
At the beginning of your healing journey, you must have faith in yourself and your ability to heal. This is the vehicle that will take you towards restoration and sanity.
Find a faith style that works for
As you progress, you will find a mode of faith that works best for you. Remember, religions are man-made rules. Spirituality is the alignment of the soul that calls you into a higher, elevated form of living.
Don’t hesitate working with me if you feel a connection with my ideas and need help improving the quality of your life.
Dig deeper: Click here for Part One or Part Two from my podcast about spirituality or press the play button below.
Written by Denise G. Lee
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE
The information in this article is for informational purposes only. No material in this article or website is to be a substitute for professional medical and/or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read from me or anyone else online.
Also, this article is not designed to diagnose or treat you or anyone with a suspected mental health illness. Please, if you need help, seek appropriate help from a lawyer, health care provider or law enforcement officer.
