Healing the Wounded Soul

by Peterson, Phyllis

• ISBN13: 9781931847254
• ISBN10: 1931847258
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-05-01
• Publisher: Baha'i Publishing

Summary

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Peterson recounts in clear and helpful detail the source of her deep shame, the difficulties she encountered in developing as a human being, and the healing roles of faith and her own independent investigation of spiritual truth in achieving a lasting positive self-image and the capacity to help others. Her book outlines a remarkable journey of recovery accompanied by traumatic events, therapy, misdiagnoses, and an evolving personal philosophy based on spiritual insights gleaned from performing as an artist, her experiences with Baha'is and Baha'i teachings, and intensive study of anger and codependency. Her story will inspire millions of women and men who have endured abusive childhoods and still search for healing.

Author Biography

Author/performer/storyteller, Phyllis Peterson, grew up in the Midwest and has traveled extensively doing workshops and seminars on anger management, personal boundaries, authority of self, protective behaviors for children, and telling stories of women and girls as heroes. She has three grown children and four amazing grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(10)
My Own Story	11	(20)
Searching for Spiritual Identity	31	(18)
Turning to the Light	49	(12)
Telling the Secret	61	(24)
Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Abuse	85	(14)
The Spiritual Aspects of Suffering	99	(12)
Preventing and Treating Childhood Sexual Abuse	111	(22)
Appendix 1: Violence and the Sexual Abuse of Women and Children	133	(12)
Appendix 2: Summary Policy Statement of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States on Domestic Violence	145	(6)
Appendix 3: Teaching Protective Behaviors to Young Children	151	(12)
Appendix 4: A Letter on the Spiritual Law of Chastity	163