"Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak" ~ Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
What is Spiritual Wellness?
According to SAMHSA, spiritual wellness is expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Why is Spiritual Wellness Important?
Spiritual wellness represents our personal beliefs and values and involves exploring our sense of purpose and meaning in life and then using those principles to guide our actions. It encompasses our sense of connectedness in the world, our recognition of a higher power, and the ability to find purpose and meaning in life.
We can be significantly affected by how we were taught about spirituality and may feel unsafe or unable to explore our spirituality due to fear of judgment (fostering feelings of doubt, anxiety, conflict). However, without spiritual wellness, we may struggle to find clarity in everyday choices or make choices that conflict with our values.
What Are the Components of Spiritual Wellness?
There is no universal definition for spirituality. It means different things to different people. And some find it difficult to articulate.
According to the National Institute of Health, there are three components and five characteristics of spiritual wellness:
Components in spiritual wellness
Religious - this component reflects the human connection with God/Supreme Power (transcendental). It is characterized through prayer, demonstrating attitudes of love and hope, and behaviors that follow the guidance of God/Supreme Power.
Individualistic - this component reflects the human connection with self (personal). It is characterized through self-examination, responsibility for self, and values—a source of self-esteem, empowerment, and self-awareness.
Material world-oriented - this component reflects the human connection with others (social) and nature (environment). It is demonstrated through love, respect, forgiveness, harmony, and knowledge—a source of humility, optimism, and empathy,
And five characteristics of spiritual health
Meaning - life purpose
Values - fundamental beliefs that determine right from wrong and guide our actions
Transcendence - spiritual existence beyond the normal
Connection - with others, self, God/Supreme Power, environment
Becoming - growth and progress in life
Spiritual health leads to improved mental and social health and is positively related to physical health. But how do we know which path to take?
Explore Your Core Values
Connecting with a greater power allows you to establish a set of values, principles, and beliefs that shape a sense of purpose and meaning in life. These values, principles, and beliefs guide our actions (to make everyday decisions).
So, what kind of person are you? What kind of person do you want to be?
"Values are the principles that give our lives meaning and allow us to persevere through adversity." (Markway) Psychology Today offers an easy process to help individuals identify their core values.
They recommend starting by making a list of the values that resonate with you.
Then narrow your selection to your top 6-8 values. If you'd like to try an online values inventory, Life Values Inventory offers an online assessment.
Next, think of the people that you admire the most. What values do they demonstrate?
Finally, take some time to observe and reflect on your actions and behaviors. Our actions will either confirm or conflict with the values that we hold true in our minds and heart. Be honest with yourself.
Understanding our core values can help us make better life choices. It can also help us reduce stress, communicate with more compassion, and increase our self-confidence.
Finding Our Tribe
Connecting with individuals that have similar values and beliefs can encourage confident self-expression.
Our core beliefs are what we hold to be true - how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. Our life experiences and observations of others develop our beliefs. Sometimes our core beliefs are nested in negativity. "I'm unlovable." "I'm a failure." And we cling to the fear that if we let go of our hurt, hang-up, or habit, we won't know who we are anymore. But this fear can lead us down the wrong path, be surrounded by the wrong people, or slow our growth towards self-awareness.
So how do we find the right people to connect with? Those with similar beliefs that encourage us to grow. Let’s start by exploring different religions.
Exploring different religions can be time-consuming but critical for our spiritual growth. A great place to start is to read through the text that guides the fundamental beliefs of each religion to see how they align with our personal beliefs.
Christians believe in the Bible.
Jews believe in the Torah.
Hindus follow the Vedas.
Muslims follow The Quran.
Taking the time to visit a house of worship and speaking to the religious leader(s) can help make this decision.
Spiritual wellness involves recognizing our need for meaning and purpose in life. We achieve this by participating in activities that align with our principles, beliefs, and values to create a sense of balance and peace. It is more than believing in a higher power. It's finding harmony with the universe, expressing compassion and gratitude towards others, and taking time for self-reflection. When we embrace our spiritual wellness, we can connect in mind, body, and soul.
Questions to Guide Your Spiritual Wellness:
Do I have a sense of meaning and purpose in my life?
Do I take time to think about what is essential in life - who I am, what I value, where I fit in, where I'm going?
Do my actions reflect my values?
Are you able to trust and forgive yourself and other people?
Do you make time for relaxation, meditation, and reflection during the day?
Do you have a belief system (religious, agnostic, atheist, spiritual, etc.)?
Are you open to exploring different belief systems and accepting of others' views and beliefs?
Are you active in communities or causes you care about and can deepen your spiritual practice or connections?
If you start exploring spiritual wellness and find yourself struggling with fear or lack the clarity to make everyday choices, please follow the link to talk more about how I can support you on this journey. WovenGrace Wellness.