Spiritual Wellness is More Than Just ....
By
Rachael Grant Dixon | March 27, 2011
Spiritual wellness is considered one of the six pillars of wellness and is defined as a personal process in which individuals seek to develop their moral philosophies and find purpose in their lives. I think the natural tendency is to define your spiritual wellness based on the strength of your religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs. However, is religion the only way to achieve spiritual balance? Of course, various religions offer many people strength, comfort, and a sense of purpose, and if that is your path to spiritual wellness, then enjoy the peace that brings.
For those who do not seek out a formal religion, you also can achieve a sense of spiritual wellness through art, nature, meditation, love of family and friends, and other forms of serenity.
According to the National Wellness Institute: "It is better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant. It is better to live each day in a way that is consistent with our values and beliefs than to do otherwise and feel untrue to ourselves."
Whether you have found your moral compass and peace through religion or other means, my challenge to you is to ponder your current level of spiritual wellness. It seems that when we have a strong sense of who we are, the direction we are going, and a firm belief system, we can achieve a feeling of calmness and peace.
My comments: I agree it's better to be tolerant than intolerant of other's beliefs. It's best to live lives consistent with our values and beliefs. However, I wonder how one can find a sense of spiritual wellness just in art, serenity or nature? Aren't we supposed to be our brother's keeper and help the unfortunate or abused? Aren't we supposed to lift each other's burdens? It seems like the nature lover can be pretty selfish in his/her worship. This nature-loving philosophy would also suggest our first parents could have been spiritually-wellness content living a blissful life in the Garden of Eden not growing by their experiences. I believe religious balance is not confined to church attendance but by the very tenets and belief injunctions the church offers. Tolerance to sin, to abuse or corruption is just moral selfishness and laziness. I suggest spiritual wellness is having the proper emphathy toward others so that we can lift their spirits and give them hope in their challenges.
As I contemplate the civil wars within the world and America's involvement, I keep wondering not only what is the end game but also the moral compass of these world leaders. Is it right to enter wars for regime change when the new leaders are no better? Is it right to enter war when we are only trying to secure our own economic welfare? It was so much easier when we were fighting communism or evil dictators. I see the end game to regime change is to put into power those who will allow freedoms of religion and opportunities for education and growth of its people. The tolerant, art or music lover described above would never enter war regardless of the reason. If only all about us appreciated the arts, literature, music, education/learning and the finer things of life, we could all be more tolerant.
For those who do not seek out a formal religion, you also can achieve a sense of spiritual wellness through art, nature, meditation, love of family and friends, and other forms of serenity.
According to the National Wellness Institute: "It is better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant. It is better to live each day in a way that is consistent with our values and beliefs than to do otherwise and feel untrue to ourselves."
Whether you have found your moral compass and peace through religion or other means, my challenge to you is to ponder your current level of spiritual wellness. It seems that when we have a strong sense of who we are, the direction we are going, and a firm belief system, we can achieve a feeling of calmness and peace.
My comments: I agree it's better to be tolerant than intolerant of other's beliefs. It's best to live lives consistent with our values and beliefs. However, I wonder how one can find a sense of spiritual wellness just in art, serenity or nature? Aren't we supposed to be our brother's keeper and help the unfortunate or abused? Aren't we supposed to lift each other's burdens? It seems like the nature lover can be pretty selfish in his/her worship. This nature-loving philosophy would also suggest our first parents could have been spiritually-wellness content living a blissful life in the Garden of Eden not growing by their experiences. I believe religious balance is not confined to church attendance but by the very tenets and belief injunctions the church offers. Tolerance to sin, to abuse or corruption is just moral selfishness and laziness. I suggest spiritual wellness is having the proper emphathy toward others so that we can lift their spirits and give them hope in their challenges.
As I contemplate the civil wars within the world and America's involvement, I keep wondering not only what is the end game but also the moral compass of these world leaders. Is it right to enter wars for regime change when the new leaders are no better? Is it right to enter war when we are only trying to secure our own economic welfare? It was so much easier when we were fighting communism or evil dictators. I see the end game to regime change is to put into power those who will allow freedoms of religion and opportunities for education and growth of its people. The tolerant, art or music lover described above would never enter war regardless of the reason. If only all about us appreciated the arts, literature, music, education/learning and the finer things of life, we could all be more tolerant.
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