Spirituality includes various different spiritual practices. The activities I practice currently that help me feel spiritually healthy are meditation and yoga. About three to four times a week, I sit in the sauna with my eyes close for about 5-10 minutes and just focus on my breath. I don’t allow my mind to think about my day or worries or anything else besides my breath and breathing. This allows me to unplug from my crazy days and focus within and on myself in peace and quiet. Other day I sit in the sauna and go through a serious of body stretches that help me relax and bring my mind to ease.
2. To many others the core or purpose of their being revolves around the things such as money, fame, success, fun, power, or possessions. In my opinion
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The two items that are important for my spiritual growth would be “my inner strength is related to my belief in a higher power” and “I feel responsible and am actively involved in preserving the environment”. I chose the first item because if I could better implement and use my inner strength whether things or going well or poorly, with a stronger belief in a higher power I could accomplish more both outside and internally throughout the day. This is important to my spiritual growth because it will help to give me the resources, the mental skills along with the physical capabilities to deal with any kind of challenges I may face. The second item I think would improve my spiritual growth because I should devote more time preserving the environment. I think I spend a healthy amount of time with nature and in order to improve my spiritual growth I should take action and not only strive to become one with nature and the elements but should preserve it as well in order to bring a new perspective and light to my spiritual …show more content…
One great way I think I could improve spiritually for greater fulfillment and peace in my life would be to study a topic that would help me grow and improve as a person. Setting tangible goals or goals of how I can improve my character will only have a positive effect on the environment and others around me which in return might limit some stress and bring more peace into my life. Studying a topic that will help me grow as person will not only challenge me but is actually the place where change for the better first begins. Another thing I can do to grow spiritually would be to spend more with nature and the environment and use it to help me not only achieve harmony but homeostasis as well. Simply getting out doors more even if it is to take a simple walk or try a new bike route will help me find more peace in my life by leaning to clock out the noise of everyday hassles and really quite my mind. I also find that spending anytime in nature seems to almost slow time down along with those unwanted urgencies I face every day. Surrounding myself in a healthier pace of life in the end will only clam my mind while I experience nothing by nature and forget about all the stress of a fast paced lifestyle I live. My third thing I could do in order to find greater fulfillment would be to actually take the time out and physically practice things that engage my body, mind and spirit. Setting aside more time to engage in spiritual practices will not only lead to greater fulfillment and
There are four stages mentioned in the article “Four Stages of Spiritual Growth in Helping the Poor” by Albert Nolan. The first stage is characterized by compassion; having concern for the less fortunate is the first step in helping the poor. Exposure and the willingness to let things happen are factors necessary to develop our compassion. Exposure is a way of obtaining information on a cause and with more exposure, it leads our compassion to become deeper and more lasting. Excuses like “It’s not my business” dulls our natural compassion. When someone develops compassion, it leads them to take an action, typically relief work. Discovering that poverty is a structural problem is the second stage. Oppression, political systems, and injustice
Peace is Every Step, a book written by a Vietnamese man named Thich Nhat Hanh was just one of the readings that helped me to better understand what spirituality is. Hanh calls himself a Zen master, as well as being known world wide for poetry and advocating for peace. Additionally, an article titled “What is Spirituality?” that comes from the book The Holy Longing, written by Ronald Rolheiser, was another piece I gained spiritual knowledge through. Lastly, an excerpt from the book Awakening the Buddha Within, titled “We Are All Buddhas” was also a key part of my knowledge on spirituality. “We Are All Buddhas,” written by Lama Surya Das, a Lama who practices in Kathmandu, gave me a great deal of understanding about why one should practice spirituality. Unquestionably, my understanding about spirituality as a whole has improved from these men.
Throughout history, it seems that medicine and spirituality have been linked in many circumstances. In a study looking at the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cardiac patients, spiritual healing was one of many practices patient sought to utilize. In another study, 29% of participants chose to use prayer or premeditation as a way to cope with their chronic illness. In both studies, prayer or meditation was more likely to be used by individuals who had a large social network, as well as support from another person in the same health situation. Based on these studies, it seems that many individuals (not just cardiovascular patients) turn to their spirituality in times of health distress.
In this paper two topic from the Psychology and Spirituality course will be discussed in regards to spirituality and their influence on my personal life. I will examine how I have grown and what I have learned from the week on Spring Lake ranch and how I wish to continue moving forward in my attempt to be spiritual and build a closer relationship to God.
The days that I can stay awake and meditate, I feel much happier with myself. It usually clears my head and makes it seem like I have no worries. Everyday I follow the second step of the Law of Pure Potentiality. I commune with nature,. Most days I just sit in the green and watch the leaves blow around, I usually pick out one particular leaf and watch where it goes.
I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness (Dalai Lama & Cutler, 1998, p. 15).
My spiritual wellness is what I believe in life. I believe in my religion which is Christianity and its beliefs. I keep myself motivated through faith by the morals and beliefs throughout the day. Spiritual wellness is your purpose in life and that is an important part that has to do with your
Melhem et al (2016) define spirituality as an “abstract, subjective, and complex term, whose definition varies between individuals, philosophies, and cultures” and has “many subjective meanings” (p.43). I have learned from many friends who view themselves as spiritual, but don’t follow any particular religion, that spiritualty has allowed them to find meaning and balance in their life. Many feel that all individuals have the capacity to be spiritual, but I haven’t felt the need to tune into this concept thus far in my life. I would tell you where I find meaning and balance in my life, but I don’t even fully know that answer myself. Spirituality is such a new concept for me, and I find it hard to wrap my head around the ways in which I may be able to view or understand it. Therefore, it is something I hope to explore as I mature and continue to understand who I am as a person in this
Ultimately, spiritual formation is a journey I will walk throughout my lifetime and it is one that I gladly am not alone in traveling. My end goal is union with God in His Kingdom, as I believe it is for all Christians. I intend on allowing His grace and love to flow freely through me and show in my heart as well as in my actions.
In today’s society, there are a large number of individuals who are on the pursuit for spiritual development that is consistent with their “belief that spirituality is vital for growth and essential for dealing with life’s problems” (Morrison, Clutter, Pritchett, & Demmitt, 2009). Even moreso it’s no surprise to learn about the movement among the vast number of clients seeking to address concerns of spirituality within their counseling sessions.
I improve my overall wellness by ensuring I am staying connected to God through church, spiritual reading, praying and my accountability partner (spiritual). I also try to stay in good spirits by mentally and physically protecting my self-esteem and self worth. Any time I get negative feelings about myself I refocus my thinking. I also try to find the purpose of both good and bad situations I encounter. I believe everything happens for a reason but it is up to us to discover the purpose (emotional). I also love to work out and being in shape. Sometimes it get hectic with my work and school schedule but I am learning that every bit counts. I work out at least three times a week for 45 min and I am working on making eating a healthy life style (physical). I improve my social wellness by being a positive influence
Spiritual wellness greatly concerns our connection to God. It involves our attitudes, actions, behaviors, and values. It exists to give purpose and meaning to our lives. It provides the core for all other aspects of wellness. From a Judeo-Christian perspective, spiritual health involves being restored in our relationship with Christ Jesus. This means believing in Him as Savior and accepting His salvation. To take it a step further and be spiritually well, a person needs to live for God every day. One should be continuously submitting themselves to God’s will and living a life like Christ. Spiritual wellness is absolutely essential to our overall health. When a person is spiritually well they can easily define their basic purpose and express the values that they hold dear. The ability to do this contributes to our satisfaction with life. This then leads to our ability to demonstrate spiritual wellness effectively. To exhibit spiritual wellness a person must learn to forgive. When we can give forgiveness to others it provides peace for ...
According to our text book, health is “by simplest definition, being sound in body, mind, and spirit” (Hales, 2003). It is impossible to improve your body and mind without the spirit coming along too. I feel as though I am spiritualty fit, I have purpose and I live in a state of gratitude and optimism as much as possible but I am excited to see how much better it can be once I reach my goals.
Every person is on a journey of spiritual formation (Mulholland, 1993). What 's frightening is how this process can happen with or without our intention. Taking this a level deeper, every human is formed with an innate desire to worship (Warren, 2002). Putting this all in perspective; whether a person intends to or not, they are worshipping someone or something, and in so doing are being formed into the likeness of this person or thing. Knowing this, it is easy to see the importance of spiritual formation on the psychological health of a person. For example: if someone is being formed into the likeness of a demanding spouse, they will quite possibly grow into someone defined by bitterness or feelings of insufficiency. Therefore, it is vital
Spirituality can have many different definitions, depending on who is asked. It can be something as simple as looking for a higher meaning to life, or something so complex that one can base their beliefs, religion and overall life around it. There are several different ways to express one's spirituality; rituals, songs, dances, stories, and writings are all common methods of expression.