It's now again. Welcome back to It's Now Again, your daily mindfulness training session.

After yesterday's episode where I talked about healing religious trauma, we're now beginning a special series focused on this topic. This series will explore healing religious trauma—a topic that can deeply affect how we connect with ourselves and the world around us.

In this episode, we’ll explore the signs and symptoms of religious trauma, how they show up in our lives, and how understanding them can be a powerful first step toward healing. I’ll also help you recognize if you might be experiencing religious trauma. It took me two decades to realize I had religious trauma—two decades after I left the religion.

Religious trauma refers to the emotional and psychological harm that can come from controlling or punitive religious environments. It’s not just about disagreements with belief systems; it’s about the lasting impact of beliefs that affect our mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

You might have grown up with teachings or community pressures that left you feeling less than, fearful, or unable to trust yourself and others. Or, like me, you might have entered that environment as a teenager or even an adult. But if you've been in a high-control environment, these impacts often persist long after leaving that religious setting. Even now, 25 years after leaving, these effects subtly shape my life.

Common signs and symptoms include:

Anxiety and Fear: Many people report feelings of fear or anxiety, often tied to the idea of eternal punishment or condemnation for questioning beliefs. This anxiety can manifest subtly, like a fear of making mistakes. I’ve struggled with this, along with difficulty trusting others and a constant need for validation.

Chronic Shame and Guilt: Religious trauma can instill a deep sense of shame, often related to rigid moral codes. In my marriage, any time I felt I had done something wrong, it would trigger intense shame, leading to crying episodes. Even decades later, minor incidents, like feeling I might have messed up my daughter’s birthday cake, can trigger this response. This shame lingers even when it doesn’t apply.

Self-Doubt and Loss of Personal Agency: If you were raised in an environment that emphasized submission or obedience, like fundamentalist Christianity, you may struggle with self-doubt and an inability to trust your judgment. I often second-guess myself, feel powerless, or need external approval before taking action.

Difficulty with Relationships: Trauma can impact relationships, particularly in forming trust and setting boundaries. Many religious settings teach us to prioritize others’ needs and to be a servant, which can lead to codependency. After my marriage, I realized I’d made my entire identity about making my partner happy, a pattern stemming from that servant mentality.

Emotional and Physical Health Issues: Many people experience physical symptoms, like headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues, due to the stress of religious trauma. For me, digestive issues started around the time I began questioning my faith and have persisted for 25 years. Emotional symptoms like depression, low self-worth, and perfectionism are also common and can impact overall quality of life.

Healing starts with awareness. Understanding these signs is the first step toward healing. By identifying how religious trauma has affected you, you can begin re-establishing trust in yourself, addressing shame, and developing healthier relationships.

Mindfulness has made a big difference for me with my digestive issues. While the physical symptoms remain, mindfulness helps reduce the added suffering that comes from wanting things to be different or feeling like it's my fault. When I don’t fight the symptoms, they often subside sooner, although the goal is simply to accept things as they are in the moment.

In the next episode, we'll explore practical steps to start the healing process, including grounding techniques and the importance of supportive communities. If you’ve seen yourself in any of these symptoms, know that healing is possible. We’ll navigate this journey together, so don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or share this episode with anyone you think might benefit.

Subscribing and rating the podcast helps spread the word that healing is possible. Remember, mindfulness may not be for everyone, and that’s okay—everyone’s journey is different. But if you’re interested in trying it, stick around.

And for more personalized support, visit jeremywest.net for mindfulness coaching services and the guided meditations that accompany this podcast. Stay present today, keep practicing, and remember, it’s now again.