Spirituality
Understanding
the spiritual needs of the World
Spirituality is a major component of the world. This concept has never been disputed since the very beginnings of the history of the world.
Spirituality is a major component of the world. This concept has never been disputed since the very beginnings of the history of the world.
Spirituality
could be described as a way of living that overcomes the human limitations of
“ego.” These human limitations of “ego” are those things that “chain us
to the earth,” the practical, everyday tasks such as paying bills, changing the
flat tire, folding the laundry, etc. Spirituality puts these things into
the perspective of faith, hope, love and etc. The world of the physical
(ego) is not an enemy of the spiritual, rather, the choices we make in the real
world (such as how we dress, what we spend our money on, etc.) reveal something
about our spiritual values.
Spirituality has to do with our beliefs and convictions about life and life’s meaning – about why we are here – why we live – issues of purpose for existence.
Spirituality has to do with one’s sense of connectedness to the world in which they live, to other members of the human family, or the sense one has of a power beyond the self. Most individuals make reference to this power as “God”.
Some chose to refer to a Higher Power, Source of Life, etc., as the source of their concept of the divine … the power beyond themselves. For some there is no name which adequately describes this sense of “spirit”:
Belief Value Meaning Faith Purpose Trust Hope Relationship God Higher Power Fear Guilt Love Truth Conviction Forgiveness Judgment Born Again Heaven Hell
One job of the human spirit is to seek purpose and meaning on an individual level. No one can accomplish this task for another. Each individual’s story will be different, fashioned and shaped by his or her unique experiences in life and their “god.” Questions arise based on this need to clarify the meaning of one’s existence. Who am I with all the distractions of life stripped away? What have I contributed to the life of others? Is the world really better with me in it? What do I value?
Each human needs to find meaning within their concept of the “big picture” of existence. Inner peace comes from seeing oneself as part of a “big picture” that makes sense and that provides purpose and answers for life. Spiritual work is spiritual care in the very deepest sense the coping with life. It practices the principles of spiritual growth by providing an atmosphere that places the control of their life in the control of their “god;” and takes it away from their “ego.” Spirituality is based on values that transcend philosophical or religious differences, the most important of which are faith, hope, and unconditional love.
Spirituality has to do with our beliefs and convictions about life and life’s meaning – about why we are here – why we live – issues of purpose for existence.
Spirituality has to do with one’s sense of connectedness to the world in which they live, to other members of the human family, or the sense one has of a power beyond the self. Most individuals make reference to this power as “God”.
Some chose to refer to a Higher Power, Source of Life, etc., as the source of their concept of the divine … the power beyond themselves. For some there is no name which adequately describes this sense of “spirit”:
Belief Value Meaning Faith Purpose Trust Hope Relationship God Higher Power Fear Guilt Love Truth Conviction Forgiveness Judgment Born Again Heaven Hell
One job of the human spirit is to seek purpose and meaning on an individual level. No one can accomplish this task for another. Each individual’s story will be different, fashioned and shaped by his or her unique experiences in life and their “god.” Questions arise based on this need to clarify the meaning of one’s existence. Who am I with all the distractions of life stripped away? What have I contributed to the life of others? Is the world really better with me in it? What do I value?
Each human needs to find meaning within their concept of the “big picture” of existence. Inner peace comes from seeing oneself as part of a “big picture” that makes sense and that provides purpose and answers for life. Spiritual work is spiritual care in the very deepest sense the coping with life. It practices the principles of spiritual growth by providing an atmosphere that places the control of their life in the control of their “god;” and takes it away from their “ego.” Spirituality is based on values that transcend philosophical or religious differences, the most important of which are faith, hope, and unconditional love.
Spiritual Needs
Common to the Human Condition
1. To believe that our lives have meaning and purpose
2. To be part of a community – in relationship with other members of the human family.
3. To be loved and to love.
4. To be listened to and to be heard.
5. To be accepted for who we are.
6. To be respected and appreciated.
7. To have hope in the midst of all that can and does go wrong in life – even in the midst of facing death.
8. To feel connected to someone/’something larger than the self (ego). (God, the sacred)
Religion, by its very definition means, “to bind together”. Our belief in a divine presence, being or power greater than ourselves moves us toward a worship of that being. Our religious beliefs tie us to certain aspects, which influence our conduct and influence us toward ritual obedience. Every belief-system has its own ritual observances. These are expressed in signs, symbols, an ceremonies.
Try to play God.
It is human's desperate attempt to get control of the world around them and to gain control of others that makes them have confusion over their lives. We try to play God, and make plans to deal with everything they worry about.
We don't know that God loves us, because we don't believe in God and his power. The person who lives by his fears, will not find God's peace and love. We sing about it, pray about it, but do not believe it.
Genuine relationships are marked by submission to others. Submission is all about relationships of love and respect. God wants brothers and sisters who will share a loving relationship.
And that's how God wants us to share love with one another: between husband and wife, parents and children.
When you are in love, submission becomes a natural expression of our character and nature. Most humans have expressed it by turning to the work of their hands to find their identity, valve, and security.
By giving over control of our lives to God; we give up our ways of power and manipulation. We need to stop demanding that others meet their needs, provide security, and protect their identity.
Power in the hands of independent humans does corrupt. Males and females need to be counter-parts, face to face equals, each unique and different, distinctive in gender but complimentary, and each under control by God, from all true power and authority originate.
When we submit; God comes and lives within us.
1. To believe that our lives have meaning and purpose
2. To be part of a community – in relationship with other members of the human family.
3. To be loved and to love.
4. To be listened to and to be heard.
5. To be accepted for who we are.
6. To be respected and appreciated.
7. To have hope in the midst of all that can and does go wrong in life – even in the midst of facing death.
8. To feel connected to someone/’something larger than the self (ego). (God, the sacred)
Religion, by its very definition means, “to bind together”. Our belief in a divine presence, being or power greater than ourselves moves us toward a worship of that being. Our religious beliefs tie us to certain aspects, which influence our conduct and influence us toward ritual obedience. Every belief-system has its own ritual observances. These are expressed in signs, symbols, an ceremonies.
Try to play God.
It is human's desperate attempt to get control of the world around them and to gain control of others that makes them have confusion over their lives. We try to play God, and make plans to deal with everything they worry about.
We don't know that God loves us, because we don't believe in God and his power. The person who lives by his fears, will not find God's peace and love. We sing about it, pray about it, but do not believe it.
Genuine relationships are marked by submission to others. Submission is all about relationships of love and respect. God wants brothers and sisters who will share a loving relationship.
And that's how God wants us to share love with one another: between husband and wife, parents and children.
When you are in love, submission becomes a natural expression of our character and nature. Most humans have expressed it by turning to the work of their hands to find their identity, valve, and security.
By giving over control of our lives to God; we give up our ways of power and manipulation. We need to stop demanding that others meet their needs, provide security, and protect their identity.
Power in the hands of independent humans does corrupt. Males and females need to be counter-parts, face to face equals, each unique and different, distinctive in gender but complimentary, and each under control by God, from all true power and authority originate.
When we submit; God comes and lives within us.
Signs & Symptoms of Spiritual Stress
May include feelings of:
· Hopelessness
· Powerlessness
· Anger
· Guilt
· Fear
· Dread
· Resentment
· Pain
· Meaninglessness
· Despair
· Anxiety
· Shame
· Doubt
· Emptiness
· Loss
· Lack of self esteem or confidence
· Suffering that is prolonged
· Depression
· Denial
· Substance abuse
· Moral/Ethical conflicts
· Unresolved feelings about life, death, or dying
· Estrangement from God or community of faith
· Withdrawal or isolation
· An inability to tell their life-story
Everyone can benefit from spiritual care and those things which touch our spiritual lives, and acquiring help from a spiritual care provider. Spiritual needs are those which enable us to connect with those beyond ourselves. These needs guide our thought and behavior and make our lives meaningful. There is more to each of us than what we can touch, see, or measure.
Freedom of Choice
The choice to change is so difficult because it involves: a) admitting failure, b) putting control of one’s life in the power of another, c) a lot of hard work, because the choice can’t just be made once, it has to be made again and again in different contexts, d) risking the unknown; giving up what is familiar and known, even if it is painful, for a “good” that can’t yet be seen.
A sense of the “real”
We can’t hide behind politeness, glossing things over with pleasant but meaningless chatter, and still be genuine. Our relationships must deal with the real issues of life for us to maintain spiritual health. The fear of being real with each other can stifle spiritual growth.
A basis of trust, hope, faith, and acceptance.
You must believe in the power of hope and in the healing energy of love. And you must be willing to accept God’s decisions, even if they are not what you would have chosen for him. A “positive” choice is only really possible where the opposite is also possible and acceptable.
The great malady of this century, involved with all of our troubles and affecting us individually and socially, is "spiritual sickness."
We know, by our natural instinct, that the spirit has to do with all aspects of our life. When you look closely at the impact of the spirit, you see that it is tied to life in all of its relevance - satisfying peace, genuine friends, and experiences that stay in the memory and touch the heart. Spirit is revealed in attachment, love, and community, as well as in retreat on behalf of inner communing and person-to-person intimacy.
The Bible, which we will use as the basic manual for this study, is a guide offering a philosophy of spiritual living and techniques for dealing with everyday problems including salvation (freedom from the wrong paths).
Fulfilling work, rewarding relationships, personal peace, and relief from the stress of the world are all gifts of the spirit/soul. They are particularly elusive in our time because we don't believe in the spirit/soul and therefore give it no place in our values and life. We have come to know our spirit/soul only in it's complaints; when it stirs, disturbed by the neglect and abuse, and as a result we sustain pain. It is all about us, that we live in a time of great distress, a condition in which the mind refuses to consider the importance of the spiritual world, because it is at odds with materialism. We can't just "think" ourselves through it, because thinking that we are in control of our world is at the base of our challenge. We need a "higher power;" and the spirit/soul is how we relate to the "higher power."
As you can read, the spirit/soul needs to be involved with our present, close to life as it presents itself day by day, and yet at the same time give us a hope for the future.
The emotional complaints of our time, include:
* emptiness
* meaninglessness
* depression
* disillusionment about marriage, family, and a relationship
* a loss of values
* yearning for personal fulfillment
* a hunger for something better
Care of the spirit speaks to the longings we feel and to the symptoms that drive us crazy. Life lived spirituality is not without its moments of darkness and challenges.
May include feelings of:
· Hopelessness
· Powerlessness
· Anger
· Guilt
· Fear
· Dread
· Resentment
· Pain
· Meaninglessness
· Despair
· Anxiety
· Shame
· Doubt
· Emptiness
· Loss
· Lack of self esteem or confidence
· Suffering that is prolonged
· Depression
· Denial
· Substance abuse
· Moral/Ethical conflicts
· Unresolved feelings about life, death, or dying
· Estrangement from God or community of faith
· Withdrawal or isolation
· An inability to tell their life-story
Everyone can benefit from spiritual care and those things which touch our spiritual lives, and acquiring help from a spiritual care provider. Spiritual needs are those which enable us to connect with those beyond ourselves. These needs guide our thought and behavior and make our lives meaningful. There is more to each of us than what we can touch, see, or measure.
Freedom of Choice
The choice to change is so difficult because it involves: a) admitting failure, b) putting control of one’s life in the power of another, c) a lot of hard work, because the choice can’t just be made once, it has to be made again and again in different contexts, d) risking the unknown; giving up what is familiar and known, even if it is painful, for a “good” that can’t yet be seen.
A sense of the “real”
We can’t hide behind politeness, glossing things over with pleasant but meaningless chatter, and still be genuine. Our relationships must deal with the real issues of life for us to maintain spiritual health. The fear of being real with each other can stifle spiritual growth.
A basis of trust, hope, faith, and acceptance.
You must believe in the power of hope and in the healing energy of love. And you must be willing to accept God’s decisions, even if they are not what you would have chosen for him. A “positive” choice is only really possible where the opposite is also possible and acceptable.
The great malady of this century, involved with all of our troubles and affecting us individually and socially, is "spiritual sickness."
We know, by our natural instinct, that the spirit has to do with all aspects of our life. When you look closely at the impact of the spirit, you see that it is tied to life in all of its relevance - satisfying peace, genuine friends, and experiences that stay in the memory and touch the heart. Spirit is revealed in attachment, love, and community, as well as in retreat on behalf of inner communing and person-to-person intimacy.
The Bible, which we will use as the basic manual for this study, is a guide offering a philosophy of spiritual living and techniques for dealing with everyday problems including salvation (freedom from the wrong paths).
Fulfilling work, rewarding relationships, personal peace, and relief from the stress of the world are all gifts of the spirit/soul. They are particularly elusive in our time because we don't believe in the spirit/soul and therefore give it no place in our values and life. We have come to know our spirit/soul only in it's complaints; when it stirs, disturbed by the neglect and abuse, and as a result we sustain pain. It is all about us, that we live in a time of great distress, a condition in which the mind refuses to consider the importance of the spiritual world, because it is at odds with materialism. We can't just "think" ourselves through it, because thinking that we are in control of our world is at the base of our challenge. We need a "higher power;" and the spirit/soul is how we relate to the "higher power."
As you can read, the spirit/soul needs to be involved with our present, close to life as it presents itself day by day, and yet at the same time give us a hope for the future.
The emotional complaints of our time, include:
* emptiness
* meaninglessness
* depression
* disillusionment about marriage, family, and a relationship
* a loss of values
* yearning for personal fulfillment
* a hunger for something better
Care of the spirit speaks to the longings we feel and to the symptoms that drive us crazy. Life lived spirituality is not without its moments of darkness and challenges.
We have to understand that applying the "higher power" factor to our life; is one of the most important parts we must bring to our life.
Soul
is who we are, and yet it is far beyond our capacity to control. We can
cultivate, tend, enjoy, and participate in the things of the soul, but we can't
outwit it or manage it or shape it to the designs of a willful ego.
The act of releasing control of the soul to the "higher power" encourages life to blossom forth according to God's plan and with its own beauty.
In these lessons we will look at several common issues in everyday life that the soul needs to provide the control, once we stop thinking we are in control.
If you work with-in these basics you will be caring for your soul and improving your "quality of life."
The act of releasing control of the soul to the "higher power" encourages life to blossom forth according to God's plan and with its own beauty.
In these lessons we will look at several common issues in everyday life that the soul needs to provide the control, once we stop thinking we are in control.
If you work with-in these basics you will be caring for your soul and improving your "quality of life."
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