The word ‘trauma’ itself can be disturbing to hear. Medical News Today (MNT) states that trauma is a response to any event an individual finds to be too stressful.
It may have physical and psychological effects. There are three main types of trauma –
- Acute trauma, which happens due to a single life event
- Chronic trauma, which is a result of prolonged exposure to highly stressful events
- Complex trauma, which may occur when a person is exposed to multiple traumatic events around the same time
Medical science uses therapy, counseling, and medication to help trauma survivors heal. The Cleveland Clinic even shares guided meditation and mindfulness under available tools to recover. However, a third powerful tool often goes overlooked: one’s spirituality.
It may not always be a religious belief, but is definitely the sense of connecting with something greater than oneself. How can this resource be used to overcome a traumatic event? This article will discuss three ways to harness spirituality’s healing power.
Looking for a Sense of Purpose and Meaning
Bad things not only happen, but they also happen to good people. This is a bitter yet unavoidable fact of life. Since traumatic experiences must happen to everyone in varying degrees, it’s how we respond to them that makes a difference.
Spiritual people never yield to the temptation of believing that life is all about a random string of events. This means they try to derive meaning or a sense of purpose out of their most traumatic experiences.
The reasoning behind such a thought pattern is a compelling one. If a trauma could not kill you, then it was undoubtedly meant to make you stronger. The process of gaining that strength may be difficult but it is a definite one.
For instance, say someone’s life takes a tragic turn with a sudden cancer diagnosis. They are undergoing extensive treatment but the outcome is still hanging in the balance. Giving up on life is one option, but drawing deep from the well of spirituality is a better alternative.
It can instill a sense of meaning and purpose in the following ways –
- The individual can reflect on their belief system and understand what is truly important in life.
- They can focus on gratitude for the life they’ve lived so far. This can remind them that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. With or without the illness, witnessing a new day is always a privilege.
- The difficult period can become a time when self-forgetfulness provides the strength to face life. The individual can focus on helping others in need, which can give a sense of purpose and make a difference in the community.
- Most importantly, they will understand the importance of the present moment. Any given minute can be the last for anyone in this world. All that we have is today and now, so it’s important to make the most of the present.
Practicing Self-Compassion
According to the British Psychological Society, self-compassion means treating oneself with the same empathy and kindness that we would use for a friend. Things of the flesh know not the language of compassion, be it towards others or oneself.
It is when we connect with our spirits that we understand truly how important compassion is. This alone can play a huge role in pulling someone out of a traumatic experience. Let’s take an example. There are certain traumatic events for which finding a sense of meaning and purpose doesn’t work, at least not initially.
Say, a young woman is excited about embarking on her first solo trip. She makes it safely to her destination and is preparing her schedule to visit must-see attractions. On an average day, she uses different modes of transport: the city’s local buses, metro, ride-hailing services like Uber, etc.
All goes well for a few days until one fateful evening, when she is inappropriately groped by her Uber driver. She somehow manages to escape his sexual advances, but surely not without psychological trauma. Immediately after, is it possible to find meaning or purpose out of such an incident?
If that’s what she tries to do first, it’s possible that she may sink deeper into stress. This is a traumatic situation that first calls for self-compassion. The most important thing it will achieve is emotional regulation and a sense of self-worth.
Victims of sexual assault often tend to experience self-loathing and shame. This keeps them from reaching out for help. Once these negative emotions are out of the picture, the lady of our story can seek legal support. She can file an Uber lawsuit against the liable driver for justice and fair compensation.
According to TorHoerman Law, over 3,000 sexual assault lawsuits against Uber have been filed. The company’s background checks and safety practices are under scrutiny. There is no reason for a victim to stay in the shadows of shame or self-blame. Self-compassion is necessary for this to happen.
Here’s a complete list of ways self-compassion helps process trauma in a healthy way –
- It combats self-criticism and helps the individual acknowledge their emotions without judgment.
- It creates a net of internal safety to help cope better with the situation.
- It builds resilience as the individual understands their self-worth.
- It encourages the individual to adopt healthy strategies for recovery.
Building a Strong Support System
Everyone needs to have a strong support system that will be their strength in times of weakness. Any traumatic experience can easily spiral into a vicious cycle of isolation.
Individuals tend to feel shame and fear judgment from others. As a result, they (falsely) believe that isolating themselves would help them process their difficult emotions faster.
That generally never happens, and leads to more stress and depression. Once self-compassion works its way to encourage the individual to seek proper help, they can build their support system.
Medical professionals can help via counseling and therapy but the spiritual community equally matters. Now, spirituality is deeper than meditation or mindfulness, which focus on the present moment.
It’s about leaving the earthly realm and entering a territory wherein lies a broader sense of purpose and connection with something greater. A spiritual person can feel like a fish out of water among those who do not share their beliefs.
A community of fellow believers will empower them to practice their spiritual practices better. For instance, their support system may make them aware of how bitterness or unforgiveness is keeping them chained to the past.
Not many understand the power of forgiveness in fostering healing. Unless one’s support system is aligned with one’s values, it’s difficult to make significant progress in the healing journey.
Here are some ways to build a strong spiritual support network –
- Volunteering within a faith-based organization or attending their study groups
- Looking for specific spiritual groups across yoga studios or meditation centers
- Finding online communities or social media groups for people with shared interests
- Attending events focused on spiritual development
As we close, let’s mention something extremely interesting. Some battles are won in the physical realm, some in the intellectual, but some are exclusively won in the spiritual realm.
When you gain victory there, it becomes easier to carry the load placed on the body and mind. Based on what we discussed, where would you consider yourself in your spiritual journey?
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
