Values – Spirituality

Posted on by under Diary Entry, life

Dear Reader,

In previous blog entries, I had mentioned the values that is found in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) here. One of these values is spirituality. When one sees the word “spirituality,” it isn’t just referring to religion. However, spirituality is simply recognizing that there is something bigger than oneself. Marie Forleo (2019) stated the higher intelligence that you may believe in this way: “God, Source, Smurf Fairies.” Since human beings are more than just a physical being, to avoid “going there” can be hazardous. We are total beings: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually (Johnston, 2001).

So what is spirituality “good for?” Spirituality is helpful in dealing with grief. Grief can be a major stressor and is caused not only by the death of a loved one but by any type of loss (example: the loss of a job or a home) (Johnston, 2001). For more of my blog entries on grief, see the list below:

Spirituality also keeps things in perspective. Seeing things that are larger than you allows you to be “in awe” (Forsyth & Eifert, 2016). This can be accomplished through nature as well as reading about things that are “larger” (this is when reading Biblical or other religious writings come into play). Many hikers, mountain climbers, bungy jumpers, etc. do what they do to see the big picture in life and to be able to be in awe. Seeing things that are larger than you also allows one to have room for inspiration (Forsyth & Eifert, 2016); another way to be placed in a humble situation (for a blog entry on humility, click here).

How to grow spiritually? According to Hemfelt & Fowler (2007), one can grow spiritually after growing and maturing emotionally. Makes sense because what do us human beings often do when we are speaking from our emotion mind instead of our wise mind? We often blame some Higher Power for our situation. So, an emotional and spiritual “housekeeping” is needed (Hemfelt & Fowler, 2007):

  • Money, sex, chemicals, career, or anything that have become excessive needs to be put in their proper place; not put on a pedestal to be worshiped.
  • Transcend past the god of reason, if been worshiping God from an intellectual approach (the reasonable or rational mind).
  • Renounce the tendency to play God ourselves by growing past selfishness, grandiosity, and narcissism.
  • Renounce putting other people or human institutions in the roles of gods.

Another step would be to overcome bitterness towards the Higher Power (i.e. God) (Hemfelt & Fowler, 2007):

  • Separate identifying God with an abusive parent/caregiver.
  • Separate identifying God with a negative experience with a spiritual community (ex: hypocrisy, condemnation, or bigotry).
  • Reconcile previous struggles with a sense that God has failed you.
  • Reconcile anger that God has not instantaneously healed or saved you, or someone else, from an illness or a similar bodily, financially, etc. situation.

Spirituality also is connected to faith. Faith is believing in something or someone without prior evidence. To be in any relationship includes faith. Yes, trust can be a “prior evidence” but trust is something that can be here today and gone tomorrow. So, to continue onward with a relationship where trust may one day disappear is to have faith. When it comes to my values on the topic of spirituality, I have faith that, despite all the calamities that occur in the world, God is still there. I can still go to Him in the place He has said He will be: in a sanctuary/church, through prayer, and the congregation of fellow believers.

After reading all of this, please consider completing the Valued Directions worksheet, choose answers without judging. This will allow you to experience self awareness.

References:

Forleo, Marie (2019). Everything is figureoutable. London: Portfolio Penguin.

Forsyth, J. P., & Eifert, G. H. (2016). The mindfulness & acceptance workbook for anxiety: A guide to breaking free from anxiety, phobias & worry using acceptance & commitment therapy.

Hemfelt, R., & Fowler, R. (2007). Serenity: A companion for twelve step recovery, complete with New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Johnston, C. (2001). Don’t eat the soup as hot as they cook it: The story of a family learning to manage stress effectively in today’s 24/7 world!. Kelowna, B.C: WellChoices Consulting.