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Spiritual Well-being
“The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty — it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There’s a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.” Mother Teresa (1995) from the book, A Simple Path-Open Market. This quote pierces my heart, yet spirituality is so infrequently discussed in our culture.
I grew up with the belief that my mom (who died when I was 6 months old) was surely an angel in Heaven looking out for me. Understandably, some folks with tragic or abusive childhoods develop the opposite belief that there is no God who would allow something so horrible to happen. I cannot answer that question (why bad things happen to good people) but I firmly believe that all humans are universally equipped with a capacity and desire for spiritual connection. For some, this might look like religious faith. For others, it may simply be a connection to anything beyond the self. Over the years, I learned to appreciate connection with a deep sense of love and meaning through: Mindfulness meditation, beauty appreciation, religious worship, nature immersion, solitary time, and daily gratitude.
So, what exactly is Spirituality?
Spirituality is the concept of ‘belief in something beyond the self.’ It strives to answer questions about the meaning of life, how people are connected to each other, and other mysteries of human existence. However, spirituality can mean something different to every person that you ask. If you can say a prayer, read literature, enjoy music, meditate, attend a worship service, or tap into your spirituality in any way, you can access power to put your struggles and challenges into a more holistic perspective.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French Jesuit priest, philosopher, and paleontologist
Dr. Lisa Miller, a leading generational psychologist on the benefits of spirituality, is the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute. She helped pioneer the emerging and fascinating ‘science of spirituality’ in her book, The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.
Dr. Miller’s research has found:
-Much of suffering in life comes from being out of alignment from our deepest truths.
-Our joy and happiness come from asking ourselves “what is life showing us now?”
-We have in our brains a series of circuits that allow us to see the deep nature of life- That we are loved, held and never alone.
We can build our spiritual core just like our physical strength (from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute and from my own experience)
- Breathe deeply– Engaging your spiritual connection begins with the art of breathing. It’s a way to center yourself and it’s easy to do. Get into the habit of noticing your breath between daily activities like checking emails and making phone calls.
- Get outside– Get outdoors to boost your vitamin D levels, surround yourself with nature and soothe your soul. Otherwise, gaze out a window to look towards the horizon or notice the nearest tree.
- Take a note– Regular journaling is a powerful tool for gaining insight. Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal clears your mind and helps to create order from the chaos of a busy mind that can be overwhelmed by the tasks of daily living.
- Laugh! Take time to have a good chuckle and while you are at it, learn to laugh at yourself. The trick is to keep it in perspective. Ask yourself, “Will this morning’s disastrous start really matter tomorrow or a few weeks from now?”
- Be in the moment– Living in the moment, or mindfulness, is simply a way of living by attuning your thoughts to the present moment without judgement. There are hundreds of free mindful practices on-line.
- Feel the love– Embracing your spirituality is about loving others- even those who might drive you a little crazy at times. Cherish your friends, your family, your work, the environment, and yourself — all the things that make up the universe. I highly recommend trying a ‘loving kindness’ meditation.
- Self-compassion– Know that YOU are precious and valuable. This means, “cultivating the courage, compassion and connection to wake up in the morning and think, no matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough”- Brené Brown. Check out the work of Kristen Neff.
- Forgive– Forgive yourself and others for past wrongdoings. Truly spiritual people operate from a divine place of love. Surround yourself with people who energize you, and learn to love yourself. I highly recommend the book, The Four Things that Matter Most by Ira Byock, MD.
- Faith– Investigate a faith tradition. Find a way to practice locally or connect on-line. There is something special and powerful about seeking meaning together.
- Reflect– Take a few minutes to think about the previous suggestions. Is there one that really resonates with you? Ask yourself (or ask me for suggestions) what habits or practices in that area you would like to incorporate in your life
“One of the most spiritual things you can do is embrace your humanity. Connect with those around you today. Say, “I love you”, “I’m sorry”, “I appreciate you”, “I’m proud of you”…whatever you’re feeling. Send random texts, write a cute note, embrace your truth and share it…cause a smile today for someone else…and give plenty of hugs.” ― Steve Maraboli, internet radio commentator, motivational speaker and author.
Have you ever felt burned-out, unfulfilled, or off-centered in your life? Spiritual self-care includes practices to promote connection to our deeper self, to others, to nature, and to a greater power. Our brains, when so awakened, become more resilient and robust—and our lives more meaningful and content. An engaged spiritual life enhances grit, optimism, and resilience while providing insulation against addiction, trauma, and depression.
Do you think you can experience wellness without spirituality? I am curious to know if anyone changed their mind after this blog…
May you know deeply that you are loved, held and never alone
-Trish
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