Breaking Free from Childhood Beliefs: Understanding Stage 3 of Faith Development
This is the third article in my exploration of James Fowler’s Stages of Faith, a framework that provides deep insight into how our spiritual development is shaped by life experiences.
When we face difficult circumstances in childhood and don’t heal from them, we may become "stuck" in a developmental stage—impacting our relationships, beliefs, and overall consciousness. Each piece offers solutions for resolving childhood issues, so you can heal past wounds and create a future filled with more love, joy, and purpose. [Read Stage 1, Stage 2]
Stage 3: Mythical-Literal Faith (Ages 6-12)
At this stage, children begin to think more concretely, constructing an orderly and predictable worldview. They start distinguishing between what is real and what is make-believe, seeking logical explanations for their experiences. While creativity and imagination still play a role, children in this phase prefer structured beliefs backed by concrete facts.
One of the most significant developments in this stage is the ability to narrate one’s own experiences. Erik Erikson's industry vs. inferiority conflict is central here, shaping a child’s sense of competence, creativity, and self-worth—key factors that influence future aspirations and work life.
How Unresolved Trauma Can Cause Stagnation in Stage 3
If a child experiences trauma or prolonged stress during this stage, they may struggle to move beyond rigid, literal interpretations of their early worldview. In adulthood, this can lead to people remaining confined within the rigid, literal structures of their childhood stories, making it difficult to embrace change or personal evolution. Career growth, personal aspirations, and even spiritual beliefs may be influenced by early narratives about success, failure, and authority.
People stuck in this stage often define their identity based on external roles and expectations rather than an evolving sense of self. Their understanding of God may be literal and anthropomorphic—viewing a higher power as a parental figure who dictates rules and metes out rewards or punishments.
Healing the Past, Embracing Growth: Moving Beyond Stage 3
The first step to overcoming limitations from this stage is recognizing that your worldview may still be shaped by childhood beliefs. Everyone carries remnants of past developmental stages—it is simply a matter of degree. The more literal and rigid these beliefs, the more they may limit personal and spiritual growth
Healing from stagnation in this stage requires conscious self-reflection and inner work. Here are some steps to support your growth:
Examine Unconscious Beliefs – Reflect on deeply held ideas about yourself, your abilities, and your spiritual framework. Are they guiding your growth or keeping you stuck?
Engage with the Body – Unprocessed trauma is often stored physically. Pay attention to tension, discomfort, or patterns of stress as signals for healing.
Stay Present with Your Feelings – Rather than resisting emotions, allow them to surface. Observing them without judgment helps release old patterns.
Seek Support – A skilled counselor or practitioner can help navigate deep-seated emotional and spiritual blocks.
Reclaim Your Spirit – Many traditions speak of soul retrieval—recovering lost parts of the self that fractured due to trauma. Setting the intention to replace wounds with your divine essence can be profoundly transformative.
The Path to Higher Consciousness
Healing from developmental stagnation allows for a shift toward unity consciousness—an awareness that transcends personal identity and embraces interconnectedness. By releasing outdated narratives and embracing new possibilities, we move beyond childhood limitations into a life of greater meaning and purpose.
You are not defined by past experiences. Your body may hold onto them, but they do not dictate your future. Through intentional healing, you can step into a magnificent present and future filled with boundless opportunities.
Personal energy sessions offer powerful support for deep, individualized healing. And our Energetic Healing Audios also provide ongoing support transformation. Here are two audios you may want to explore, each is designed to clear karmic imprints and childhood wounds:
Resolution with Lesson Givers. This audio helps transform karmic patterns with both the living and deceased, clearing past lifetimes and accessing a future where resolution already exists, making it easier to find peace in your current life.
Merging Timelines. This audio gently guides you to resolve unresolved experiences from in-utero to the present, as well as past lifetimes that still affect you. Through a safe and loving process, your current self supports your younger self in healing, restoring wholeness, and integrating lost parts—what shamans call soul retrieval.
We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
Healing is a personal and collective journey. Each of us has the power to raise our consciousness and contribute to a world filled with greater wisdom, compassion, and unity. The past does not define you—your healing does.
Let’s commit to doing this work together. Each of us has the potential to raise our consciousness and contribute to a world filled with greater wisdom, compassion, and unity.
Many blessings,
Maureen
Maureen Higgins owns Wings of Freedom, an alternative counseling and coaching business. She helps people be their best selves and recognize they are part of the Divine. Maureen also founded School for Higher Consciousness. Maureen has developed numerous energetic healing systems you can learn through the school’s workshops. You can also experience them through her energetic healing audios.