What is it about spirituality that keeps us leaning toward it? Some of us even long for it, regardless of whether we embrace routine fellowship in stained-glassed churches or solitary strolls in the temple of nature.
The psychology of spirituality can help answer that soul-deep desire within us to identify what shapes meaning in our life. Such guidance also helps us define and seek our purpose while trusting the wisdom we uncover.
Just as we need to nurture our mental health, we can learn to nurture our spiritual health. The psychology of spirituality permits time and space to explore freely what moves us and connects to the bigger, greater things of life.
Q: How Do You Know That What Moves You Really Matters?
A: Research Confirms It
Considerable study since the 1960s found that, despite a move away from organized religion, the need for spiritual intervention is still a crucial part of fostering hope, healing, and lasting change in many people’s lives.
In fact, scientific investigation shows that consistent spiritual practices and rituals like meditation, prayer, and worship are powerfully effective in ways that other mental health interventions are not. Consider the following:
Church or no Church, 90 percent of Americans believe that “God” exists in some form.
In addition to established faiths, interest in Eastern religion, yoga, New Age practices, Shamanism and more are on the rise.
Physical health, stress-induced problems, and serious ailments are shown to improve when spiritual interventions are encouraged.
More and more therapists and their clients are recognizing that their psychological work must seriously and authentically incorporate spiritual work to achieve the breakthroughs and healing they hope for.
Moreover, it is thought that, too often, we try to separate our minds, bodies, and souls when seeking out healing. Recent research shows us that people can work against themselves in this regard. A wealth of evidence indicates that we do ourselves a disservice when we fail to recognize and lean into our body’s natural drive to survive and thrive.
We should always do what we can to support the natural flow of beliefs, emotions, and behavior that bolster passion and sacredness within us.
Q: How Do You Tap Into What Really Moves You?
A: These Key Practices Can Help
In “Spirituality: Why We Need It,” an article by David N. Elkins Ph.D. for Psychology Today, encourages the following approaches for exploring spirituality:
Meditation Practices: Spiritual counseling can help you learn to be still, quiet and observant. Meditation permits you to slow down, breathe deeply and relax intentionally. Thus, you hone in on the power of your body, the world around you and your connection to it. Focus, exploration, and wholeness become more possible.
Prayer: Engaging a higher power is often comforting and stabilizing if your belief system incorporates this type of faith. You may appreciate the sense of release and balance that comes from a spiritual relationship.
Spiritual or Sacred Texts: The Bible and the Qu’ran are just two traditional books that offer guidance and spiritual growth. There are a host of other readings that may resonate as you explore your purpose and passions.
Nature Experiences: Nothing inspires wonder like time in nature. Contemplation, perspective, and insights often bloom in the peace people find during solitary time outdoors.
Q: Who Can Help You Find What Moves You?
A: Your Qualified Spiritual Therapist can Provide Support
Reaching out to a therapist trained in Spiritual Psychology can help unlock habits and reactions that don’t serve you or honor your core beliefs.
Exploring spirituality in therapy can help provide guidance, clarity, and context, whatever your circumstances. Most of all, your therapist can help you see your life experiences holistically and compassionately. You are a multifaceted, unique person, made for a purpose and capable of fulfilling it.
Do you want to learn more about spiritual counseling? Please feel free to contact me soon.
I can help you discover more about what you’re going through and how focusing on a higher power can be a real benefit. Together, we can help you facilitate real healing and a deeper sense of wholeness that lasts.