.png)
“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.” ― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Soul Searching
Soul searching is the journey toward REMEMBRANCE of our true essence. It's often prompted by a devastating event, significant life change, or the loss of a loved one. Emotional suffering makes us question the bigger purpose of life; inviting us down a path of self-discovery and redefining our purpose, values, beliefs, motivations, and how best to navigate the nature of our current reality and live a fulfilled life.
In 2020, I experienced what many term the “Dark Night of the Soul”. I was suffering with grief and anxiety. I started questioning how this could be; I was feeling dispirited yet inner peace all at the same time. Little did I realize, I was experiencing initial stages of a spiritual awakening. Years prior, I ventured out on a soul search; experimenting with various spiritual practices for inner healing including meditation, yoga, Reiki, contemplative prayer, connecting with nature etc. This path quickly led me on a healing journey through chaos, pain, resilience and ultimately allowing spirit to lead the way.
Spiritual well-being is getting in touch with our inner peace; moving gracefully through our trauma and adversities, yet mindfully embracing an awareness that we are not just these physical and mental bodies; we are integrated beings with a soul that is on a journey and requires daily cultivation and nourishment for it to experience real growth and transformation.
Spirituality means different things to different people. In this context, the term is not related to religion, although according to research, religion is an effective tool to enhance one’s spiritual and overall health. Spirituality encompasses the values and beliefs that guide your life within your own perspective of what it means to be "human". Spiritual health can be defined as a sense of internal well-being and how one connects with something greater than themselves, including a higher power, nature, music, art, creativity, service to humanity etc.
Mind, Body & Spirit Resilience
Within our current social and medical frameworks, there is an undeniable heightened focus on physical health without much significance to the health of the soul. Many have simply lost touch with the spiritual element including our current healthcare paradigm; often labeling spiritual practices as "woo woo" or taboo. We can not deny the overvaluing of medicine and surgeries and even the social constructs of success, money, power, reputation, competition, status, etc.. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with these elements; when we fail to prioritize our spiritual health we lose our inner power and innate resiliency and as a result our physical, emotional, social, intellectual, financial, and mental health suffers as well (each are innately connected). Perhaps this helps to explain the reasons why many suffer from energy depletion, fatigue, anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic illness.
When the mind, body and spirit are working in balance and harmony our physiology, nervous system, and immune system functions at optimal capacity; we become more resistant to physical and mental illness/disease. When we are in states of calm, ease, gratitude, forgiveness, and love, resilience permeates every cell and every part of our being. We become more flexible with life; flowing effortlessly with spirit leading the way.
Anything we nurture will grow. Anything we deprive will starve and suffer!
By eliminating distractions and prioritizing practices that feed and heal your soul, your energy can radiate all areas of our life including your health, creativity, relationships, career, finances, life purpose, personal power, happiness etc…. Your garden of inner peace and emotional resiliency will bloom when you give it the right nourishment!
Self-Awareness and Self-Discovery
Spiritual resiliency comes from creative self-discovery and getting to know yourself at a deeper level. The journey of self-discovery is a brave and crucial step towards creating a clear vision for your own soul's healing and personal growth. It is the first step in regaining control of your actions, freeing yourself from mental clutter, and learning how to emotionally regulate and control your impulses in the face of change and adversity.
Finding the courage to reinvent yourself is creativity in its essence; it is driven by your sense of wonder, spirit of inquiry, and curiosity. It's reconnecting to your childlike playfulness with a fearless intent to rediscover your truths and authentic essence. It is how you come to live fulfilled and make relevant contributions to society through your soul-inspired actions and life purpose. Yet, the journey of self-discovery can be an insidious process. Growth often takes time, acceptance, and a lot of patience; in the waiting time, you are always emerging and becoming although not always visible.
Within each of us, there is an inner reservoir of unlimited potential; an everlasting fountain of strength and power that gives us the capacity to move through any challenge gracefully. This is not about merely coping through or “weathering the storm” but intentionally connecting to one's intuitive guidance on how to shift, adapt, and transform suffering to equilibrium, balance, and inner harmony.
When we adopt an attitude of gratitude, we expand our soul’s growth. When we ascribe a deeper meaning to our challenges, we are no longer held captive as a prisoner of the past. This is not to invalidate traumatic experiences, but to highlight the resilient essence of the human spirit. When we honor and nurture the soul we have the ability to stretch far beyond our perceived limitations toward unlimited potential and possibilities.
Spiritual Alchemy
We may not always understand the reasons behind human suffering, (human kind has been perplexed by this since the beginning of time) however, I believe the soul innately knows what it needs to experience in this lifetime for its' ultimate expansion. Needless to say, we experience our greatest amount of growth through our deepest pain and adversities.
Spiritual alchemy involves humbly accepting the lessons life offers and expanding our soul's consciousness. It involves detaching from the confines of the ego self that limitedly identifies with the physical and mental constructs and shifting out of survival mode toward adaptation no matter the cumulative burden from stress. We become less reactive to daily pressures and uncertainties, not by attempting to avoid or escape our problems, but learning how to shift our mindset and regulate our nervous system amid the chaos.
Patience and perseverance are critical during times of personal growth. Spiritual alchemy usually happens incrementally, not instantaneously for most people. The healing process can be a process of self-discovery and self-reflection; going within to ask deeper questions of how best to give yourself what you need and really want from moment to moment so you can attract the life you desire. You can learn a lot about yourself when you slow down and give yourself quiet space to ask the right questions that require you to go beyond just healing the shadow self but journeying deeper within your soul for answers and guidance. This can be done through meditating, prayer, engaging in creative art, poetry, music, sound, dance, journaling, spending time in nature etc....By tapping into your creative essence, you can unleash the power of your subconscious mind where the keys to your unlimited soul potential resides; underneath the surface of your conscious awareness. Your deepest level of expansion, clarity, and creativity can come out of the time spent waiting, reflecting and listening to your inner wisdom. Your life is inherently a work of art; a beautiful canvas of synchronistic opportunities for you to start honoring your heart and aligning with your values. Developing patience and self-compassion are the greatest gifts you can give yourself along your healing journey. Your deepest "WHY" factor is what will drive you to create a new vision for yourself as you enjoy the journey of curiosity and rediscovery of your truest self!
Boosting Your Spiritual Well-Being
Through a dedicated spiritual self-care practice, the layers of trauma and mental conditioning can begin to dissolve. You may shift toward a new SOUL consciousness where you REMEMBER who you truly are at your core not rocked by life challenges. We are all pure potential; equipped with a high level of resilience and intuition that’s ready to guide us from within if we take the time to tune in.
Every human is on a unique journey. Spiritual self-care will look differently from person to person. However, the benefits of nurturing and cultivating your spiritual health are numerous and include having a sense of belonging and purpose in life, helping to feel calmer and peaceful, and providing hope in unprecedented times.
Here are some ways to boost your spiritual health:
Spending time in solitude and contemplative reflection
Spending time in nature
Practicing yoga
Meditation or prayer
Mindfulness
Energy healing
Creative arts
Daily gratitude journaling
Reading inspirational text or scriptures
Connecting with a faith community, organized religious or non-religious practices.
Participating in spiritual rituals
Connecting with a sense of life purpose and meaning
Radical acceptance and forgiveness of self and others
Focusing on intentions, vision, hobbies and passions
Connecting with a pastor, spiritual teacher, spiritual therapist, holistic wellness spiritual coach, chaplain or trusted mentor
Service, volunteering or helping others (individuals, communities, planet etc.)
Right now is the perfect time to set new intentions for your spiritual health! I'd love to take this journey with you.
Love, Dr. K Holistic-Integrative Wellness Expert and Stress Coach
I help midlife women retrain her nervous system and overcome the emotional/mental and unconscious patterns that are keeping her unwell, stuck in stress and anxiety, and holding her back from living her truest self and highest potential.
Work with me: Design and Wellness Center
Comments