Healing the Foundations of Trust: Understanding Stage 1 of Faith Development
One of the most insightful frameworks for understanding spiritual and personal development is James Fowler’s Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning. His work highlights how our faith—both in ourselves and in the world—evolves throughout life. However, when emotional, psychological, or spiritual wounds go unhealed, they can cause stagnation, preventing us from moving forward with trust and openness.
Fowler originally outlined six stages of faith, but more recent research suggests there are seven, beginning at birth. In this blog series, we will explore each stage to uncover how our early experiences shape our beliefs, our capacity for connection, and our ability to heal.
Stage 1: The Preverbal Foundation of Trust
The first stage of faith begins at birth and lasts through early childhood (ages 0–2). This stage lays the foundation of trust—our earliest experience of safety, love, and belonging. At this stage, our primary relationship with a caregiver teaches us whether the world is secure and nurturing or unpredictable and threatening.
For those who experience neglect, abandonment, or trauma in these formative years, trust becomes fragile. They may struggle with relationships, feel disconnected from a higher power, or find it difficult to surrender to life’s natural flow. Since this phase occurs before language develops, early wounds are often imprinted in the body, surfacing later as subconscious fears, emotional triggers, or even physical ailments.
Signs of Stage 1 Trauma
Individuals who experienced early disruption in this stage may:
Struggle with deep-seated feelings of abandonment or isolation.
Have difficulty trusting others or surrendering control.
Experience chronic anxiety or hypervigilance.
Feel spiritually disconnected or unable to trust in a higher power.
Hold subconscious beliefs that the world is unsafe.
If these patterns resonate, it’s a sign that early wounds may be influencing your present reality. But the good news is that healing is possible.
Healing Preverbal Trauma: Releasing Emotions Stored in the Body
Healing trauma from this stage requires working at a deep, somatic level—engaging the body, emotions, and subconscious mind. The following process can help:
1. Identify the Emotion
Begin by recognizing persistent feelings—grief, fear, distrust, or unease—that arise in certain situations.
2. Locate the Emotion in Your Body
Close your eyes and scan your body. Where do you feel tension, tightness, or discomfort? Trauma often gets stored in areas like the chest, stomach, throat, or lower back.
3. Stay Present with the Sensation
Rather than resisting or suppressing the feeling, allow yourself to sit with it. Observe it without judgment.
4. Notice Any Emerging Memories or Insights
As you stay with the emotion, images, memories, or deeper layers of feeling may arise. You may sense loneliness, anger, or fear that originated long ago. Allow yourself to witness what comes up.
5. Breathe and Allow Release
Emotions move through the body like waves. As you acknowledge them, they may begin to shift or release. This can take time, so be gentle with yourself.
6. Reassess Your Body’s Sensations
Once an emotion has passed, check in with your body. Do you feel lighter? If any heaviness remains, repeat the process.
7. Energetic Healing & Soul Retrieval
After clearing stored emotions, invite your own spirit to reclaim the space left behind. This practice—often called soul retrieval—helps restore a sense of wholeness and connection.
The Spiritual Impact of Early Trust Wounds
Being stuck in Stage 1 can create a deep sense of disconnection—not only from others but from the divine. If early wounds go unhealed, it may feel difficult to believe in a benevolent universe, to trust in divine timing, or to surrender to the unknown.
However, healing these wounds can open the doorway to a profound sense of peace, safety, and connection. Trust can be rebuilt—not just in others, but in yourself and in the unseen forces that guide your path.
Embracing Your Divine Nature
No matter your early experiences, you are not defined by your past. Healing is always possible. You are a Divine Being having a human experience, and this journey—though sometimes challenging—is ultimately one of growth, transformation, and love.
If you are ready to heal and reconnect with your spiritual essence, I invite you to explore how our energetic healing audios empower you to see and release the past so you can create a bright future!
Here are two suggestions that align with Stage 1 level of healing:
Closing the Door to the Past. This audio guides you through different ages to transform past challenges, using brain activations that help the mind feel more resolved and peaceful.
Transforming Guilt & Unforgiveness. This audio helps you energetically let go of guilt and unforgiveness. Learn to recognize, release, and make amends, and free yourself to heal from these heavy emotions
Through this deep healing work, you can release stored trauma, reclaim your sense of trust, and step fully into your divine nature. And know that even in the darkest moments, your light is always waiting to shine!
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.