William, an expert on healing and trauma recovery, joins the podcast to discuss various aspects of healing. They explore topics like shifting definitions of recovery, healing from spiritual trauma by listening to our bodies, embracing the complexity within us, recognizing individual needs in the healing journey, the non-linear nature of healing, and connecting with our core self through guided meditation. The episode offers options and possibilities for healing at an individual and community level.
Recovery from spiritual trauma involves embracing softness, flexibility, and self-compassion, allowing the eating disorder to have a peripheral role without judgment or anxiety.
Healing from spiritual trauma requires bearing witness to our own bodies and seeking empathetic witnesses outside of ourselves, despite the pain and distress involved.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing from spiritual trauma; it involves admitting and tending to the wounds, telling one's story, setting boundaries, and redefining beliefs and community.
Deep dives
Redefining Recovery: Letting go of rigid expectations
The speaker shares their personal journey of understanding recovery from an eating disorder and the unrealistic expectations that were placed on them. They learned that recovery shouldn't be about perfection or control, but about finding softness, flexibility, and self-compassion. They discovered that true recovery involves embracing other aspects of life beyond eating and weight, and allowing the eating disorder to have a peripheral role without judgment or anxiety. They realized that healing cannot be achieved by controlling the process, but by accepting oneself exactly where they are.
Healing from spiritual trauma: Listening to the brave witness of our bodies
The podcast explores the concept of spiritual trauma and the importance of recognizing and listening to the embodied experiences of those who have experienced it. They emphasize the need for safe and supportive relationships in which individuals can explore and express their trauma. The speaker highlights the significance of bearing witness to our own bodies and seeking empathetic witnesses outside of ourselves. They acknowledge the pain and distress involved in listening to the brave witness of our bodies, but stress the necessity of this process for healing from spiritual trauma.
The path to healing: Embracing diversity and individual needs
The podcast emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing from spiritual trauma. They advocate for acknowledging and respecting the different paths and needs of individuals on their healing journeys. The speaker presents a range of suggestions for healing, such as admitting and tending to the wounds, telling one's story, exploring healthy relationships, setting boundaries, grieving losses, and redefining one's relationship with beliefs and community. They emphasize the importance of compassion, self-care, and self-acceptance in the healing process.
Healing from Spiritual Trauma
Healing from spiritual trauma involves focusing on the present and the future rather than dwelling on the reasons behind past experiences. Understanding that you are not a victim, but someone who has been victimized, is essential in the healing process. Recognize the impact of spiritual trauma on your beliefs and make space for grieving the losses. Building a new community and seeking therapy can be helpful for healing. It is also important to disentangle religion from spirituality and explore new meanings and connections after trauma.
Post-Traumatic Growth and Spirituality
Research suggests that following trauma, some people experience post-traumatic growth, which can be deeply connected to their spirituality. Post-traumatic growth involves developing new understandings of oneself, the world, and relationships. Individuals may deepen their spirituality and find meaning in their suffering. This growth can lead to changes in worldview, priorities, and values. Social connection and support play a vital role in spiritual and religious growth after trauma. It is important to acknowledge how power dynamics can affect one's spiritual journey and find a therapist who can recognize and address these dynamics.
Often without knowing it, the contexts we come from shape our definitions of healing, sometimes leaving us crafting a definition of trauma recovery informed by the black and white thinking, rigidity, or individualism we are trying to heal from. This episode is all about healing. Instead of proposing a singular path for healing, or a specific narrow definition, options and possibilities for healing are offered at an individual and community level. During this episode you’ll also hear from William Matthews III, Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza, and K.J. Ramsey.
Content note: this episode references eating disorders.
Credits
Written and recorded by: Hillary McBride
Guests: William Matthews III, Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza, and K.J. Ramsey
Executive producer: Leslie Roberts
Sound editing: Bradley Danyluk and Micaela Peragallo
Music and scoring: Jon Guerra, adapted from the album Ordinary Ways, strings performed by Valerie Guerra
Logo and art: Courtney Searcy
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