Why are spirituality and spiritual growth important?
At this time in history, the catalyst for change surrounds all of us. Fear, lack, limitation, and old beliefs are keeping many people stuck in the way where they are one with this world. Those limiting beliefs, and fear associated with the unknown, often make spiritual growth difficult. But for change to occur, we need challenges. And as we all know, at this time, every person on the face of this earth can easily recite them, one by one.
Spiritual Growth- what is it?
Spiritual growth is the ability to reach higher than you knew you were capable of doing. It is about getting in touch with yourself at a soul level. When you experience this, you feel more connected and in harmony with others, with life and the world around you. By connecting with our soul, we become more powerful and authentic human beings.
This inner strength allows each of us to live our purpose, take responsibility for the choices in our lives, and become empowered human beings. For some, the importance of doing the inner work to grow spiritually has been a part of their core being. Others may have been raised in a particular religion and had an understanding of what it meant to connect to a God, the Creator, the Divine, or a higher source. While practicing a specific religion or having a particular belief system may have worked when younger, as we develop, we sometimes question why we still believe that way. Maybe there is another way to connect to the Source that unites each of us.
Many people who have found themselves as spiritual seekers find that difficult times like these, are an invitation to explore this topic. Others have experienced some other types of hardship, such as a personal crisis, death, or any other pivotal moment where something huge has shifted in them. Each situation, or turning point, no matter how painful, or significant, is a catalyst for both personal and spiritual growth and acceleration.
What is the role of spirituality in wellness?
Spirituality, as it relates to health and wellness, has been a subject more recently studied. Since now, more than before, the connection of mind, body, and spirit has gained more and more attention from medical and behavioral and social science researchers.
Increasingly, research continues to find significant evidence that spirituality and religious practices are related to improved health, wellness, and healing. The research incorporating spiritual practices into your daily life helps us look inward to help quiet the mind. Meditation, prayer, and journaling are a few that assist in focusing the mind, increase inner strength, and help to develop greater optimism for life.
With the continued interest in the role that spirituality plays in health and wellness, a large amount of research continues to strongly suggest that together, the mind-body and spirit cooperate well in creating a healthier and more emotionally whole and robust individual.
5 Benefits of Spirituality in Wellness
- Well being and happiness
- Better Immune Function
- Reduced Stress
- Positive Emotions, and a Healthier Outlook on Life
- Coping Better with Adversity
How can spirituality affect your life?
People who value spirituality are more conscious of their activities daily. With increased attention, they build continued memories of their experiences. They can then reflect upon the value of all of them, including the simple and smaller pleasures of life. As a result, the individual feels positive emotions even with the smallest experiences.
In an article published in www.pychologytoday.com, “Why be Spiritual? Five Benefits of Spirituality, the author, Ryan T. Howell Ph.D., shares with us the results in a study. “Spiritual individuals strive toward a better life and consider personal growth and fulfillment a central goal. Spirituality can be considered to be a path toward self-actualization because it requires people to focus on their internal values and work on becoming a better individual.”
Spiritually conscious people seem to be more optimistic, gracious, and compassionate and understand how to access their values in becoming the best that they can be.
Spiritual development is recognizing that you are a spiritual being and that you are capable of embracing your spirituality. Some of us are willing to choose to take and explore the spiritual journey, while others are content and willing to stay in the world of the status quo. And then there are those who have the willingness to listen to the inner self and explore the soul and heart’s wisdom. When we listen to this, it helps us to develop ourselves and know our gifts.
There are many stages to spiritual development. Different spiritual teachers and various types of belief systems number the different stages. While some say there are three, and others say four, five, six, or seven, one thing is the same. To develop yourself, you need to progress through different stages. By paying attention to what stage you are passing through you are guided along the spiritual journey.
Here are some of the things to expect while going through different stages, no matter how many there are.
- You are born spiritual but develop a personality that helps to fit in and adapt to family and life circumstances. You lose yourself to the material world and forget that you are a spiritual being, although at times you may have remembrances of your spiritual self.
- Something within changes. This shift could be inspired by a thought, a tragic occurrence, or a mystical experience. There is a moment in time where you recognize some awakening. A compelling feeling moves you forward.
- With an expanding mind, sacred practices and teachings through prayer, rituals, meditation, or ceremony are explored. Here, is the integration of what has been learned into daily life. At this time, a realization that a new way of being is very meaningful, even if at times it seems unclear. We begin to embrace our gifts and greatness.
- As we integrate this new way of being, we feel a deep desire to own and claim our purpose and share this expression with the world.
- That which has the most meaning for us allows us to be a better version of ourselves. There is greater clarity about our spiritual gifts and why we are here. As responsible spiritual seekers, we feel less judgmental about ourselves and others and feel more compassion and acceptance. Love is what we seek to know better and understand. We look at the world through a different lens.
- We create our reality and now understand the laws of the universe. Our thoughts, words, and works help us to become the best version of our selves so that we may share our unique gifts and be of service to others and humanity.
Some of the many ways that you will know that you are growing spiritually:
- You will feel less fearful of the unknown
- You will be interested in spiritual resources like books, videos, and spiritual and personal growth experts
- You will have less tolerance for any drama in your life
- You will find you have an increased ability and desire to give and receive love and make a difference to and for others in big and small ways
- You will have greater compassion for yourself and others
- Your relationships will improve, though you may lose some others that feel unhealthy now
- People will be more attracted to you since you have raised your vibration to a higher level
- You will have less interest in material possessions
- You will understand that we are all connected here on this planet and in the universe
- You will be interested in spending more time in nature
- What you witness in nature will leave you in awe
- You will feel genuinely for all the people you meet
- You will feel free and incredibly alive
- You will have less fear of death
- You will start to notice your “gifts”
- You will have increased synchronicity—meaningful coincidences or occurrences that show that there is a deeper connection to others and the universe
- You will stop trying to change others who do not think or believe as you do
Developing Spiritual Growth – what it can mean for you
This period we are now living in is full of problems and many misfortunes, which are easy to identify. But, if we fully allow ourselves to address them, we begin to grow personally, and in doing so, we are on a journey to develop within us our spiritual growth. In “The Road Less Traveled,” author and Harvard and Case Western Reserve-trained psychologist, M. Scott Peck tells us that “Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually.”
It is now when we develop the skills to grow spiritually that the world around us looks very different. We perceive a difference positively. There is an increase in inner strength. Intuition is heightened, and our internal guidance system functions more smoothly.
We will find ourselves more self-assured. For many, there is a calmness that takes over us. We lose some of that earlier fear, gain a deeper understanding of why we are here, and sense an inner peacefulness that lets us know it will be ok., no matter what the outcome is.
There is less of a need to embrace negativity or drama. The focus is now on more of the optimistic ways of looking at life. While this may be a difficult concept to feel comfortable with, evidence suggests people on a spiritual path or journey do experience this lighter way of being.
Spiritual Growth vs. Personal Growth- what’s the difference?
With both types of growth, we are motivated to improve some aspect of our life and make a positive change. Personal growth, personal development, or self-development aims to strengthen those things that make us better for ourselves. Developing healthy habits, earning more money, increasing skills for greater success, or learning more to move forward in life are a few that many will impact the quality of our existence while we are here on earth.
Spiritual growth is a process of becoming more awake and aware of who you are. It is also the realization that you are mindful of your role on earth and its impact not only on yourself but for humanity and the universe. We pay closer attention to some of the beliefs about life and daily habits we have maintained. Now we recognize that they are no longer of service to us.
As a way to better yourself and improve the world around you, spiritual growth is also an ongoing challenge where you accept the sacrifice. And as your consciousness expands, you have a greater understanding and feel a deeper connection, greater respect, and increased love for the universe and all living things.
Both personal growth and spiritual growth are ongoing commitments. They both require time, discipline, and an understanding that you will move both forward and then backward. Each challenge is an opportunity for increased awareness as well as growth.
It’s easy to think of a baby taking its first steps and falling, only to be determined enough to get back up and do it again. All of life is an ongoing challenge. But there are immeasurable opportunities for growth in the challenge.
And if we have faith, though not often easy, almost anything we set our mind to is possible. We understand that each of us has unlimited potential, so we act on those parts that make us a better person. In doing so, hopefully, we can also help to make the world a better place as well.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our recommendations, reviews, and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.