Chapter 7:Chapter 7:Stress and Human SpiritualityStress and Human Spirituality

The winds of grace are blowing The winds of grace are blowing perpetually. We only need raise perpetually. We only need raise our sails.our sails.

- Sri Ramakrishna- Sri Ramakrishna

Defining spiritualityDefining spirituality

The concept of spirituality has no agreed The concept of spirituality has no agreed upon definition; however, it seems to upon definition; however, it seems to include aspects of:include aspects of:– higher consciousnesshigher consciousness - faith- faith– transcendencetranscendence - enlightenment- enlightenment– self-relianceself-reliance - mysticism- mysticism– self- efficacyself- efficacy - self-assertiveness- self-assertiveness– self-actualization self-actualization - community- community– lovelove - bonding- bonding

Defining spiritualityDefining spirituality

Viktor Frankl:Viktor Frankl:

– ““Spirituality does not have a Spirituality does not have a religious connotation, but refers religious connotation, but refers specifically to the human specifically to the human dimension.”dimension.”

Theories of human spiritualityTheories of human spirituality the path of Carl Jungthe path of Carl Jung

– access your divine unconsciousaccess your divine unconscious the path of M. Scott Peckthe path of M. Scott Peck

– follow the road to spiritual growthfollow the road to spiritual growth the path of Hildegard von Bingenthe path of Hildegard von Bingen

– life is a mystery to embracelife is a mystery to embrace the path of Black Elkthe path of Black Elk

– embrace Mother Earth spiritualityembrace Mother Earth spirituality

Jung’s view of the mindJung’s view of the mind

Consciousmind

Unconscious mind

Collective unconscious

JungJung

Mystical studiesMystical studies– IntuitionIntuition– DreamsDreams– ClairvoyanceClairvoyance

Transpersonal / PsychospiritualTranspersonal / Psychospiritual SynchronicitySynchronicity ArchetypesArchetypes The ShadowThe Shadow

Peck’s concept of spiritualityPeck’s concept of spirituality

Stage 1

Chaotic, antisocial

individual

Stage 2

Formal institutional

individual

Stage 4

Mystic-communal

individual

Stage 3

Skeptic individual

Path of Hildegard of BingenPath of Hildegard of Bingen

Visionary, poet, composer, healer, artist, Visionary, poet, composer, healer, artist, saint (1098-1179)saint (1098-1179)

Soul is boundless and contains dreams, Soul is boundless and contains dreams, hopes, wishes, desires.hopes, wishes, desires.

Soul is not found in the body; rather, the Soul is not found in the body; rather, the body resides in the soul.body resides in the soul.

Native American Medicine WheelNative American Medicine Wheel

Path of Quiet

mental health

through the lines of nature

Path of Sun

respectful of self, all people, and environment

Path of Introspection soul searching to find

balance

Path of Peace

youth and wonder

Theories of human spiritualityTheories of human spirituality

the path of Matthew Foxthe path of Matthew Fox

- creation spirituality- creation spirituality the path of Deepak Choprathe path of Deepak Chopra

– honor the seven universal laws of honor the seven universal laws of spiritualityspirituality

the path of Joan Borysenkothe path of Joan Borysenko– employ spiritual optimismemploy spiritual optimism

the path of Lao Tsuthe path of Lao Tsu– find balance and harmony in lifefind balance and harmony in life

Fox’s creation spiritualityFox’s creation spirituality

Via positivaAwe and wonder, appreciation of all

Via negativaEmptying of

thoughts, feelings, etc that smother

Via transformativaStruggle, compassion,

celebration

Via creativaBreakthrough of enlightenment

Personal Cosmology Personal Cosmology (relationship to the divine)(relationship to the divine)

Cultivate relationship:Cultivate relationship:– What poets do you read? What poets do you read? – What music moves you? What music moves you? – What acts of creation are you involved with?What acts of creation are you involved with?– What social issues are your passion?What social issues are your passion?– What work do you most love doing?What work do you most love doing?– What pain is in your emptiness?What pain is in your emptiness?– When do you feel a connection to the universe?When do you feel a connection to the universe?

Path of BorysenkoPath of Borysenko

Mind and Spirit play crucial roles in health Mind and Spirit play crucial roles in health and healing.and healing.

Shame, guilt, expectations of who we Shame, guilt, expectations of who we SHOULD be rather than who we really SHOULD be rather than who we really ARE – cause stress.ARE – cause stress.

Stress is a lack of connectedness.Stress is a lack of connectedness. Guilt is one of the largest obstacles to Guilt is one of the largest obstacles to

spiritual growth.spiritual growth.

Path of Deepak ChopraPath of Deepak Chopra

The Law of Pure PotentialityThe Law of Pure Potentiality The Law of GivingThe Law of Giving The Law of Karma (or cause and effect)The Law of Karma (or cause and effect) The Law of Least EffortThe Law of Least Effort The Law of Intention and DesireThe Law of Intention and Desire The Law of DetachmentThe Law of Detachment The Law of Dharma or Life PurposeThe Law of Dharma or Life Purpose

Four principles of TaoismFour principles of Taoism

Principle of dynamic balance

yin and yang

Principle of harmonious action

Harmony = moderation,

wu wei = wait for right moment

Principle of cyclical growth

recognize & appreciate cycles

Principle of oneness

part of the whole

Theories of human spiritualityTheories of human spirituality

the path of Jesus of Nazareththe path of Jesus of Nazareth– practice unconditional lovepractice unconditional love

the path of Joseph Campbellthe path of Joseph Campbell– myths - literature of the spiritmyths - literature of the spirit

the path of Einsteinthe path of Einstein– all life is energy, with a divine purposeall life is energy, with a divine purpose

Path of JesusPath of Jesus

Through love, all things are possible.Through love, all things are possible. No conditions or expectations placed on the No conditions or expectations placed on the

expression of love.expression of love. Forgiveness is a crucial element.Forgiveness is a crucial element.

Path of Joseph CampbellPath of Joseph Campbell

Myths, legends, stories from all cultures Myths, legends, stories from all cultures contain many parallelscontain many parallels

Hero’s journeyHero’s journey– DepartureDeparture– InitiationInitiation– ReturnReturn

Einstein and OthersEinstein and Others

All matter composed of energyAll matter composed of energy Time and space are NOT two separate continuumsTime and space are NOT two separate continuums Consciousness is a form of energy surrounding, Consciousness is a form of energy surrounding,

permeating, connecting all living objects.permeating, connecting all living objects. Thoughts are energy: negative thoughts expressed Thoughts are energy: negative thoughts expressed

by electrons; positive thoughts through photonsby electrons; positive thoughts through photons Nonlocal mind: thoughts are not bound by time or Nonlocal mind: thoughts are not bound by time or

spacespace

Common themes of spiritualityCommon themes of spirituality

Centering

EmptyingGrounding

Connecting

A model of spiritualityA model of spirituality

relationshipsrelationships– insightful internal relationshipinsightful internal relationship– divine personificationsdivine personifications– external relationshipsexternal relationships

personal value systempersonal value system meaningful purpose in lifemeaningful purpose in life

A model of spiritualityA model of spirituality

spiritual potential spiritual potential (human traits such as creativity, intuition, (human traits such as creativity, intuition, patience, courage, love, optimism)patience, courage, love, optimism)

spiritual health spiritual health (emotional responses and behaviors that expand (emotional responses and behaviors that expand limits of human potential)limits of human potential)

roadblocks roadblocks (laziness, greed, despair, anger, fear, low self-esteem, (laziness, greed, despair, anger, fear, low self-esteem, addictions)addictions)

Interventions Interventions (meditation – increased self-awareness)(meditation – increased self-awareness)

utilizing our inner resourcesutilizing our inner resources