Spirituality

“For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone. They are like lonely persons. Not like hermits who have stolen away out of some weakness, but like great, solitary men, like Beethoven and Nietzsche. In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity; but they do not lose themselves there, they struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfil themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves. Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree. When a tree is cut down and reveals its naked death-wound to the sun, one can read its whole history in the luminous, inscribed disk of its trunk: in the rings of its years, its scars, all the struggle, all the suffering, all the sickness, all the happiness and prosperity stand truly written, the narrow years and the luxurious years, the attacks withstood, the storms endured. And every young farmboy knows that the hardest and noblest wood has the narrowest rings, that high on the mountains and in continuing danger the most indestructible, the strongest, the ideal trees grow. Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law ...

Spiritualism—a search for something sacred—is an increasingly important topic to people today. Individuals approach the realm of In a recent study conducted in my lab, we investigated the personal and societal benefits of spiritualism by examining participants' responses to over 30 surveys. Here are the top five positive characteristics of spiritual people. Spiritual people are compassionate. Experiencing compassion toward others is one of the strongest correlates with living a spiritual life. A variety of positive or pro-social emotions have strong links to spiritualism, including allowing one to feel good about the little things in life and look at the world through Spiritual people flourish. Spirituality is linked to many important aspects of human functioning—spiritual people have positive relationships, high Spiritual people self-actualize. 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. Spiritual people take time to savor life experiences. Individuals who value spirituality take the time to reflect on their daily activities and ultimately build lasting memories of their experiences. Because spiritual people are more conscious of small, daily activities, they experience positive emotions associated with the smaller pleasures in life.

Based on more than 30 years of psychological counseling and pastoral care, Howard Clinebell believed that humans have seven spiritual hungers in common. As you read through them, consider whether you recognize any of these spiritual needs in yourself. Are there particular areas of “spiritual hunger” in your life that need more attention than others? Specifically, Clinebell felt that human beings long to: • Experience the healing and empowerment of love—from others, self, and an ultimate source. • Experience renewing times of transcendence—expansive moments beyond the immediate sensory spheres. • Have vital beliefs that lend meaning and hope in the midst of losses, tragedies, and failures. • Have values, priorities, and life commitments centered in issues of justice, integrity, and love to provide guidance in personally and socially responsible living. • Discover and develop inner wisdom, creativity, and love of self. • Develop a deepening awareness of oneness with other people, the natural world, and all living things. • Have spiritual resources to help heal grief, guilt, resentment, unforgiveness, self-rejection, and shame and deepen experiences of trust, self-esteem, hope, joy and love of life.

• About Us • About us • Mission Statement • Welcome to SSRF • What we offer • Our inspiration and guide • Press And Media • Conferences • What others say • How to contribute • Contribute to SSRF • Events • Events • Online Events • Spiritual Meetings • Spiritual Workshops • Local Events • Courses • Spiritual Research • Spiritual Research • Areas of Spiritual Research • Methodology of Spiritual Research • Afterlife • Spiritual wonder of the world • Death and Dying • Ghosts • Infographics • Kundalini and Chakras • Languages and Scripts • Music and Dance • Paranormal • Sixth Sense • Social Issues • Spiritual Phenomena • Art & Design • The Universe and us • Overcoming Problems • Overcoming problems • Causes of Problems in Life • Destiny or Karma • Problems with Ancestral Spirits • Demonic Possession • Evil Eye • Physical Health • Mental Health • Addictions • Sleep Disorders • Effects of Nature and Environment • World War 3 and Climate Change • Spiritual Practice • Spiritual Practice • Start Your Spiritual Journey • Chanting • Personality Defect Removal and Personality Improvement • Ego Removal • Company Of The Truth (Satsang) • Service to the Truth (Satseva) • Sacrifice for God (Tyag) • Awakening Spiritual Emotion (Bhav) • Spiritual Love (Priti) • Prayer • Mantra • Benefits of Spiritual Practice • Finding Happiness • Spiritual Principles • Spiritual Paths • Spiritual Growth • Obstacles in Spiritual Practice • Enlightenment (Saints and Gurus) • Spiritual Experience • Classroom •...

It’s been a rough year and a half. Though the pandemic has put a strain on us all, it’s also highlighted the role of spirituality in our lives. Faced with mortality on a daily basis, many people turn to spiritual quotes and spiritual practices. Religion and spiritual quotes can also help us feel more connected at a time when separation and solitude are the norm. Whether you’re devout in your faith, a dabbler, or a skeptic, our diverse list of spiritual quotes offers a broad perspective on life to encourage you right where you’re at. If you’re itching for even more inspiration, browse these 1. “Yes, you must live life beautifully and not allow the spirit of the world that makes gods out of power, riches, and pleasure make you forget that you have been created for greater things: to love and to be loved.” —Mother Teresa 2. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” —Helen Keller 3. “Practice the pause. When in doubt, pause. When angry, pause. When tired, pause. When stressed, pause. And when you pause, pray.” —Toby Mac 4. “When you accept that there are certain truths in your life that you can’t change, it allows you to embrace your new reality and move forward.” —Amy Purdy 5. “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.” —Maya Angelou RD.com 6. “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” â...

The idea of spirituality means different things for different people. The variety of spiritual beliefs and customs are as varied as the people who practice them. One thing they all have in common is the range of effects they can have on our Spirituality is your belief or sense of purpose and meaning. It is what gives you a sense of value or worth in your life. Contrary to what many people might think, spirituality and religion are not the same. But they are linked. You can be spiritual without belonging to a specific religion. Religious people follow a particular faith and may be connected with specific groups or traditions. ‌ Impact of Spirituality on Mental Health Positive impacts of spirituality. There are several ways that spirituality can support your mental health: • You may feel a higher sense of purpose, peace, hope, and meaning. • You may experience better confidence, self-esteem, and self-control. • It can help you make sense of your experiences in life. • When unwell, it can help you feel inner strength and result in faster recovery. • Those in a spiritual community may have more support. • You may work at better relationships with yourself and others. Many people with a mental illness get a sense of hope by talking with a religious or spiritual leader. Some mental illnesses can be seen as times when people question their value or purpose in a way that leaves them feeling pessimistic. It can be extremely helpful to include spirituality in the treatment of mental...

Maybe you’re looking to understand your purpose in this life, or you’re experiencing an existential crisis. Or perhaps you’re starting to examine the belief system you grew up with. Whichever the case, you’re contemplating a spiritual journey. But where and how should you start? To help you figure it out, we’ve created this beginner’s guide to spirituality. Below, we’ll unpack definitions, look at different spirituality types, review the process, and briefly discuss the available practice paths. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What Is Spirituality? What are the basics of spirituality? In some ways, it’s an impossible question to answer because spirituality means different things to different people. For some, it’s a religious pursuit. For others, it’s an individual exploration of spirituality. The director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, Christina Puchalski, MD, contends that “spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.” Generally speaking, most forms of spirituality: • Invite practitioners to connect with a higher power or source • Encourage a transcendental end-goal through belief or energetic experiences • Involve the search for greater meaning or feeling • Feature a relationship between the practi...