Unlocking Spiritual Health
What it is and why it's important
Spiritual health is a state of inner well-being that arises from a sense of purpose connected to something greater than oneself, and the ability to find meaning in life’s experiences.
Introduction
Spiritual health is the most important dimension of human health. Yes, mental health, physical health, emotional health, social health, and psychological health are important and need to be properly nurtured. However, without spiritual health, improvements in the other domains of health might feel empty or lack sufficient depth. Before we consider how spiritual health supports our overall well-being, we need to take a closer look at the terms “spiritual” and “spiritual health.”
What do we mean by the term spiritual?
The word spiritual can evoke strong emotional responses beyond its literal meaning (concerning the spirit) and is often misunderstood. In his 2006 book Integral Spirituality, American philosopher Ken Wilber identifies four different meanings to the word spiritual: 1. The highest levels of intelligence or development within various domains, such as cognitive, ethical, musical, aesthetic, and logical-mathematical. 2. Spiritual intelligence: A line of development that has its own unique levels/stages. 3. A sense of religious or spiritual experience, meditative experience, or “peak” experience; and 4. A special attitude such as love, compassion, or wisdom (pgs.100-102).
For our discussion here, we’ll see the term spiritual as it relates to the way we treat others and the world around us:
“Being spiritual is about living with a certain inner attitude such as love, empathy, compassion, caring, or kindness.”
Understanding the term spiritual health
Let’s tie together the word spiritual with the word health and find a working definition for the term spiritual health:
"Spiritual health is a state of inner well-being that arises from a sense of purpose connected to something greater than oneself, and the ability to find meaning in life’s experiences.”
Spiritual Health as the foundation to strengthen all other dimensions
Good mental, emotional, psychosocial, and physical health, is generated by an inner sense of overall well-being.
At a pivotal moment in my life, before the age of twenty-one, I adopted a new internal attitude about my sense of purpose and place in the world, connecting it with a “something greater than myself.” A divine will, or whatever you want to call it.
Instantly, my insecurities and self-doubts, gnawing at me like the miniature chihuahua snapping at your heels that won’t go away no matter how many times you kick at it with your heels, took a back seat in my consciousness
No longer overwhelmed in the drama of my own self-induced limitations and faults, I could now see the highest aim for my life is to surrender to this divine will and follow its guidance for my life. This approach is sometimes referred to as a transcendent view of reality.
Decades have passed since that life-transforming moment. I still struggle with insecurities, self-doubt, and bad habits, but this new internal reset of my sense of purpose and higher meaning to my life enables me to keep going and developing with a sense of hope, protecting me from falling into debilitating hopelessness or despair.
Conclusion
One’s inner attitude about the purpose of life and how we make meaning of our life experiences is the core of spiritual health. This is why spiritual health is the foundational dimension that integrates and supports the other dimensions of our health. It’s my conviction many individuals who suffer with addictions or a general sense of listlessness, despair, or depression, can benefit by focusing more on this dimension of their lives.
Next week’s edition of Spiritual Health Magazine will be looking at two qualitatively different approaches to spiritual health and the consequences that go along with each approach.
Before next week’s edition arrives in your mailbox, take some time to reflect on this question and see what you come up with: How do I understand the meaning of my life and where I fit in the larger scheme of things?
Have fun with this! It’s a serious question but can be taken lightly. If you come up with something I’d love to hear about, so please shoot me a comment and I’ll look forward to hearing from you and responding.
Until next week, here’s to your vibrant spiritual health!
Thanks for this article. I like that candle analogy! And I’m glad you defined the word “spiritual” and “health” at the outset. Many misunderstandings stem from different ways of defining things. Although I may define these terms differently than you do, knowing your definitions provides a critical framework to understanding your perspective.