Your Guide to Spiritual Healing from Trauma & Church Hurt 

Have you ever felt shunned or isolated from your faith community? Are you at a crossroads and want to transform your pain, instead of projecting it on others? These free contemplative resources offer spiritual support for your healing journey: 

• Overcoming Spiritual Abuse
• Self-Love and Acceptance
• Transforming Pain Through Forgiveness
• God’s Presence in Suffering

Learn About the CAC: An Educational Nonprofit for Contemplative Christianity 

The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit sharing Christian contemplative wisdom and practices that support transformation and inspire loving action. Sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

Discover Contemplative Resources for Overcoming Spiritual Abuse 

From people shunned by a church that believes homosexuality is a sin, to those physically and mentally hurt by faith leaders, a regular contemplative practice helps us become wounded healers. 

• Podcast: The Healing Path on Turning to the Mystics with James Finley.
• Daily Meditations: What Do We Do With This Pain? by Richard Rohr
• Free Download: The Contemplative Dimensions of Healing Trauma by James Finley.
• Practice: Feeling Our Pain, inspired by Cuong Lu, student of Thich Nhat Hanh.

Explore Contemplative Teachings for Self-Love and Acceptance

Commitment to a daily contemplative practice helps us see ourselves through God’s eyes and accept our inherent belovedness. 

• Podcast: Self Love to Group Love to Universal Love with Richard Rohr.
• Daily Meditations: You Are Loved by Richard Rohr. 
• Video: How Does Self-Love Transform the Way We Show Up in the World? With Rev. Jacqui Lewis and Wajahat Ali.
• Practice: Humming by Resmaa Menakem.

Transform Your Pain with Contemplative Wisdom on Forgiveness 

Christian contemplative traditions include practices like walking meditation or chanting, which can help us look on our hurts with love. 

• Podcast: Trauma and Grace with Serene Jones and Rev. Jacqui Lewis.
• We Conspire Series: Taking the Slow Road to Letting Go by Illuman’s Joe Lonergan.
• Video: Emotional Buoyancy with Richard Rohr.
• Practice: Love of Neighbor and Practice of Social Renewal with Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes.

Experience Contemplative Practices that Reveal God’s Presence in Suffering

Contemplative wisdom and practices help us let go of hurt and realize we are not, and never have been, alone. 

• Podcast: Healing with Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes and Dr. Donny Bryant.
• We Conspire Series: The Healing Balm of Love by Kelsey Kappauf.
• Video: Wisdom in Times of Crisis Series with Richard Rohr, Barbara Holmes, Brian McLaren, James Finley, and Cynthia Bourgeault.
• Practice: I Love You Prayer with James Finley.  

Applying Spiritual Healing Practices in Your Life 

CAC faculty member and clinical psychologist James Finley — who is also a former Trappist monk — says, “Don’t become attached to yourself in moments of utter loss. It’s real—but know that the loss doesn’t have the authority to name who you are.”  

We hope these resources help you heal your wounds, let go of hurt, and find your inner authority — given by God in love. We invite you to share your stories of spiritual healing with us.