Spirituality is
of increasing interest to psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals
because of the potential health benefits spiritual wellbeing can bring.
By spiritual wellbeing
we generally mean 'a sense of good health as a
whole person and as a unique individual' . This is a
process of growth and development, often
over a long period of time, as we learn to feel at ease with who we are and to fulfil our potential as individuals,
as human beings. Good spiritual health
can bring with it a sense of inner peace and comfort.
There are a wide range of spiritual practices and
activities which can promote and enhance wellbeing, such as belonging to a faith community, symbolic or ritual practices, meditation, prayer,
retreat, pilgrimage, reading scripture, playing or listening to sacred music,
Tai Chi, yoga, activities such as group sports which involve the fellowship of
participants, and engaging with and enjoying the arts and nature.
Evidence of
the benefits for engaging in such practices is growing, with some of the
advantages identified as:
- an awareness and fostering of values such as
patience, honesty, kindness, hope, wisdom, joy and creativity
- enhanced confidence and self-esteem
- improved relationships
- a new sense of optimism about life, together with
a sense of inner peace and acceptance of problems we face in life
- faster recovery from illness or bereavement.
Meditation
is a
state of concentrated attention on a particular thought or awareness. It is an important part of spirituality for
many and is central to many religions. Siddhartha Gautama, a
spiritual teacher from ancient India said to have founded Buddhism, was ‘enlightened’ while meditating under a tree. From that moment, thanks to his meditation,
it is believed that Gautama had complete insight into the cause of human
suffering and how to eliminate it.
