Healing from Spiritual Abuse Resources

This is a small collection of helpful books, online articles, videos, and teachers that we’ve found to be healing and supportive, as well as enlightening about the subject of ethical behavior within Dharma groups. We hope that you will find something that touches and enriches you. And please share your suggestions in the comments section.
‘Written with spiritual insight, emotional literacy, and common sense, this down-to-earth, wise, and healing book should be read by anyone who is thinking of joining, is part of, or thinking of leaving a religious group, whether it is Buddhist or not.’ Geoffrey Beatson, psychotherapist.

Free Books – download here.

Ford, Wendy_ Recovery from Abusive Groups
Herman_Trauma-and-Recovery 

Groups

https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ (recommended.) They mostly work with people who have come out of Christian cults, but many of the issues you will face are the same no matter what the cult)

https://familysurvivaltrust.org/

Therapists

http://www.alexandrastein.com/

Checklists

If you’re not sure if you were in an abusive group or not, try these checklists:
SPIRITUALLY_ABUSIVE_SYSTEMS
Emotional_Abuse_Checklist 
 Group_Psych_Abuse_Scale

Websites

Healing after your teacher crosses a line
Trauma Bonding
Teachers not Gods

Resistence, Surrender and Karma

How Will You See The Guru?

Trauma Bonding 

Emotional Attachments in Abusive Relationships: A Test of Traumatic Bonding Theory

Confronting Abuse: Be Proactive

Guideline for Spiritually Abused Persons

The Open Minds Foundation  A website with articles and other resources concerning undue coercion and manipulation.

reFocus A support and referral organization for former members of high demand groups, relationships and cults

Religious Trauma Syndrome

Journey Free – a group dedicated to helping people transition out of harmful religions, recover from trauma, and rebuild their lives

Ted Talks

Brene Brown – The Power Of Vulnerability
Brene Brown – Listening To Shame

Facebook

Beating Trauma
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1696112073746470

Books

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World – Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Abrams
Beyond Religion – His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Confession of a Buddhist Atheist – Stephen Batchelor (Not at all like the title. Actually a good historical study on Buddhism, as well as very interesting details from his attendance at the conference in ‘93 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)
Loving Kindness – Sharon Salzberg
The Joy Diet – Martha Beck
The Mindful Path To Self Compassion – Christopher Germer, PhD
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