This is a very special time of the year, one where we have our traditions and for many of us, celebrate our religious beliefs.
For the last several weeks my colleague and friend, Cathleen, and I have been developing a workshop on The Intersection of Trauma and Spirituality and Religion. I thought I would share some of what I am learning.
Let’s start by recalling (or learning about) the nature of trauma.
According to Psychology Today, “What Is Trauma?”:
“The word ‘trauma’ literally means wound, shock, or injury. Psychological trauma is a person’s experience of emotional distress resulting from an event that overwhelms the capacity to emotionally digest it. The precipitating event may be a one-time occurrence or a series of occurrences perceived as seriously harmful or life-threatening to oneself or loved ones.”
Now let’s consider the differences between spirituality and religion.
According to the website Meaningful Spirit:
“Religion is an organized system of beliefs and practices. It usually has specific rules, traditions, and rituals that guide people’s behavior and thinking. Many religions include teachings about right and wrong, the meaning of life, and what happens after death.
Religions often focus on worshipping a higher power, such as a god or gods. They might also involve attending services, praying, reading sacred texts, or participating in ceremonies. For example, Christianity has the Bible, Sunday church services, and the act of prayer as central practices.
Spirituality, on the other hand, is more personal and less structured. It focuses on an individual’s connection with something greater than themselves, whether that’s the universe, nature, or a divine presence. Unlike religion, spirituality does not always follow set rules. It’s more about exploring your inner self and what brings peace and purpose to your life.
Many people turn to spirituality to better understand themselves and the world. This might include practices like meditation, mindfulness, journaling, or spending time in nature. Spirituality is about seeking answers to questions like, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is my purpose?’”
Let’s consider the most popular religions in the world. According to the website Statistics & Data:
Religions worldwide can be broadly categorized into major world religions, indigenous religions, and new religious movements, encompassing thousands of distinct faiths and traditions.
Most popular religions in the world 2026 (approx.):
- Islam (Sunni): 1,591,267,205
- Christian Roman Catholic: 1,273,899,328
- Hindu: 1,075,591,000
- Christian Protestants: 625,628,408
- Buddhism (Mahayana): 343,518,620
- Christian Eastern Orthodox: 295,410,128
- Islam (Shia): 223,977,177
- Buddhism (Theravada): 188,863,137
- Shinto: 122,950,055
- Christian Anglican: 76,015,459
As we all think about our various celebrations the last two weeks or so, I invite you to reflect on what traumas you may have experienced related to your faith and how well you understand spirituality and religion.
Invitation for Reflection
- Did the numbers reflecting the various religions surprise you? If so, what was surprising?
- Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual person, a religious one, or some combination of these?
- How does this impact your beliefs? Your behaviors?
- Is there anything you now want to investigate? The information on the internet is amazing!
Diane Wagenhals
Director Emeritus, Lakeside Global Institute