Exploring Spiritual Wellness

The third post of the Exploring Wellness series, is all about Spiritual Wellness. This dimension is by far the most challenging to define because it’s a concept based on ideas and intangibles. That being said, it’s one of the most vital.

The infamous mind-body-spirit triad sets the foundation for all dimensions of wellness.

Spirituality vs. Religion

You may be thinking this is a post about religion, but a person’s religion is actually how they experience or enhance their spirituality, so they are connected, but slightly different.

Think of it like this, if Spiritual Wellness is the destination, then your religion could be considered the vehicle in which you travel.

In this post, I will only focus on the spiritual destination in terms of a person’s overall wellness.

What is Spirituality?

“The spiritual dimension recognizes our search for meaning and purpose in human existence. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe.”
The National Wellness Institute

To me, your spirituality is your

Sense of purpose and reason for being
Personal sense beliefs, ethics, and values
Connection to the universe
Connection to your higher self

Purpose

The search for the meaning of life or our reason for being is a common theme in spirituality.

We contemplate this question constantly throughout life, but especially when making difficult decisions, choosing a partner, or choosing a career.

l will discuss the importance of having “meaningful work” in the Occupational Wellness post, but basically we need a motivation for getting out of bed each day.

We want to believe what we do matters and contributes to society in one way or another.

Beliefs, Ethics, Values

From our sense of purpose and reason for being, we begin to form our personal beliefs, our sense of ethics, and our core values.

These are our guiding principles in life.

Having a strong sense of integrity, means the decisions you make and actions you take are aligned with these tenants, even when it is difficult.

Straying from these guideposts usually results in experiencing strong emotions, like guilt, regret, shame, or anger and it can take time to rebuild the confidence and esteem lost.

Developing your belief system and moral compass isn’t always easy. We make mistakes, learn from them (hopefully), and make better decisions in the future.

Connecting to the Universe

We need to feel connected to and a part of something bigger than ourselves.

“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes.”
— Yoda

In my very humble opinion, George Lucas nailed it. When it comes to explaining our spiritual connection to the universe, “the Force” pretty much sums it up.

Now, I’m not saying we can levitate cars, but feeling the connection between ourselves and other things in the universe is not such a fantastic idea.

Have you ever been able to sense another person around you, before you saw or heard them?

You were probably able to pick up their vibration before your other senses were stimulated. “According to string theory, absolutely everything in the universe—all of the particles that make up matter and forces—is comprised of tiny vibrating fundamental strings.”

I have a very limited understanding of this concept, but the thought that we –all matter, not just living things– share this common element is amazing to me.

It reminds me of the scene in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope where Luke is training with a blast shield. He can’t see it coming, but by using his instincts and tapping into “the Force”, he is able to sense the attack.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

The Higher Self

Your higher self is pure consciousness.

This is the knowing you feel when you, and your inner monologue, are silent. It’s the part of you that is only awareness.

Being able to quiet your thoughts long enough to experience your pure existence is what many seek during meditation.

In this state, you are able to let go of your physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Imagine being able to disconnect from your physical body and just “sit” in awareness.

Experiencing your higher self, gives you the ability to step back and gain a broader perspective of life. You are able to see what is actually important to you and what you can let go.

For some, this experience can be quite spiritual in itself.

When you quiet the part of you that’s human, you are left with the spirit.

“You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.“
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Cultivating Your Spirituality

There are copious methods for exploring and cultivating your spiritual wellness, like spending time in nature, meditating, or volunteering, but the best place to start is with self-reflection:

What is your sense of purpose?
Are the decisions you make based on your beliefs, ethics, and values?
Do you act with integrity?
Do you feel connected to those around you?
Are you able to quiet your mind and see the big picture?

Your spirituality is a big part of your character. Taking time to get to know and develop this part, will go a long way toward developing your entire sense of self.

In a way, your spirit is the glue that holds all the other dimensions together.

Spiritual Wellness, like all dimensions of wellness, is an ever-evolving process. By keeping an open mind and an open heart, your spirit will drive your curiosity, motivation, and love for life.

Resources

See more of the Exploring Wellness series as we take a closer look at each of the seven dimensions of wellness; Physical Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, Social Wellness, Occupational Wellness, and Environmental Wellness.

Exploring Spiritual Wellness

Spirituality vs. Religion