Stress, it is said, is the “equal opportunity destroyer.” Regardless of income, education, gender or how dysfunctional your parents were when they raised you, stress is present everywhere in our world. The World Health Organization goes so far as to say that stress is a “global epidemic.” But as the global village begins to pool its collective wisdom, we see that the stress of life is a natural process of life on earth. It is no secret that we are living in times of tremendous change; and where the winds of change blow, undoubtedly there is stress.
Stress is commonly defined as “wear and tear on the body.” This definition holds much merit, but it denies the existence of our spiritual essence. Today, a more apt definition bringing light to this perspective describes stress as “a perceived disconnection from our divine source.” While it is true that we are never disconnected from our divine source, unresolved feelings of anger and fear create a very real illusion of separation. In the eastern culture this concept is known as the “veils of illusion,” in the western culture, it is more commonly known as the walls of the ego. And where there is ego, there is stress! Carl Jung once said that every crisis is a spiritual crisis, and spiritual crises require spiritual cures — a thought which holds much wisdom.
If you were to talk to the wisdom keepers, the shamans and healers of all times, of all cultures, you would hear them speak of three things with regard to human spirituality: (1) relationships (with oneself and others), (2) values and (3) a meaningful purpose in life. Ask anybody to make a list of their top ten stressors, and most likely you will find that each list is comprised of exactly these issues. At first it may seem that stress and spirituality are mutually exclusive terms, but a closer look reveals that they, as in the ego and the soul which they manifest, are quite literally partners in the dance of life.
Many people think of human spirituality as a trip to Disney World: beautiful sunsets, warm fuzzy puppies and cute newborn babies — the proverbial endorphin rush after climbing a mountain peak. But spiritual experiences on the human path are not limited exclusively to the metaphorical mountain top. The human path includes several treks through many a valley as well. And as Jung reminded us, human spirituality involves one, if not several trips through the “dark night of the soul” or “winter of discontent.”
The boss from hell, the ex-spouse from hell, traffic from hell — have you noticed how popular hell has become these days? Stressors come in all shapes and sizes, from the personal to the global. The small stressors we can sidestep with little effort. The larger stressors, those which seem to be insurmountable roadblocks and obstacles, we tend to avoid. And while avoidance may be the coping skill of choice for life threatening situations, it is not a spiritual cure for stressors involving relationships, values and purpose in life. They must be resolved; there is no other way.
Roadblocks are actually part of the human path. They are meant to be dismantled, circumvented or transcended, not avoided. We are never presented with a problem that we cannot handle. Throughout my professional career, I have had the good fortune to meet several people who have been through hellacious life experiences. Remarkably, these people are not victims of their circumstances, they are the victors. When I ask them how they overcame their adversity, their answers are almost always the same: a sense of patience, a sense of humor, a sense of faith, compassion, patience, forgiveness, humbleness, imagination and creativity, optimism and love. These are not gifts for a chosen few. They are birthrights for everyone. These are what I call “muscles of the soul.” Like our physical muscles, they never disappear, but they can atrophy with disuse.
We are called upon regularly to exercise these spiritual muscles; whether it is a malignant cancerous tumor or a benign person with 14 items in a 9 item express checkout lane, we must learn to exercise these muscles frequently. We each have the potential to be spiritually healthy, because within each of us reside these dynamic muscles of the soul. However, potential that is not used is wasted. Perhaps spiritual health can best be described as using this potential — to engage these spiritual muscles on a regular and frequent basis. In these times of great change which often produce great stress, we are called upon to use our inner resources and come through each situation the victor, not the victim. Our spiritual potential, as expressed through humor, compassion, faith, forgiveness, courage, creativity and intuition are there for the asking. Spiritual health, the good race, is flexing these muscles and feeling the strength they provide when needed.
Flat tires, alcoholic spouses and messy divorces may seem like roadblocks, but they are really reflections of our angers and fears, the real roadblocks on the human path. The walls of the ego become so thick that we literally become immobilized and our life force becomes restricted. The metaphor becomes quite real in terms of health and well-being. Over time, unresolved anger and fear can and will disrupt the flow of universal life force, cascading down the layers of the human energy field to cause dysfunction in various organs, from the immune system and reproductive system to the heart muscle itself.
Ensuring health to the human spirit is ensuring all aspects of health. Herein lies the significant strand which binds stress and spirituality together. As the daily responsibilities of life pile up to an overwhelming clutter, the need for effective coping skills and relaxation techniques is essential to maintaining a sense of mind-body-spirit equilibrium. Productive coping skills and relaxation techniques do more than calm the body; they provide stillness to the mind and clarity of thought. Grounded in frequent regularity, they clear and maintain a pathway to allow the constant flow of divine energy from the highest level of our being down into our deepest body tissue, ensuring and nurturing the health of the human spirit — health to mind, body and soul.
A crimson sunset, a hot bath, a monarch butterfly, a massage, the reassuring voice of a good friend. These are gifts which nurture the soul. We yearn for and cherish these special moments to give balance to that which so often and so easily becomes off-balance through the hectic demands and increasing pressures of our jobs, families and uncalculated events in everyday life. These gifts, a type of divine energy so to speak, filter through our senses to invigorate the human spirit; the essence of life which seeks to resonate in every cell of our body. And in cyclical fashion, it is the vibrancy of our inner resources which like a magnet continually draws our attention toward these special moments. This awareness that recognizes the unique alchemy of humanity and divinity is that which allows us to best cope with life’s problems. Moreover, this mystical alchemy which sustains the health of the human spirit is none other than the most sound strategy for stress management because it acknowledges and honors, rather than ignores, the critical importance of the spiritual dimension.
As we begin this new millennium there is a growing interest in the topic of human spirituality. Indeed, there is a hunger which can be neither satisfied by the dogma of religion nor the promise of science. As human consciousness expands and evolves, as hundreds of thousands of people begin to wake up to the full potential of their spiritual essence, a new spiritual renaissance will emerge to shape and influence our human potential. Perhaps the winds of change and the winds of grace are one and the same, Divine spirit seeks to breathe life into every aspect of our lives. To repeat the words of Sri Ramakrishna, “The winds of grace are blowing perpetually. We only need raise our sails.”
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is a health psychologist and author of the best selling books, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water: Reflections on Stress and Human Spirituality, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward. www.brianlukeseaward.net
by Tuula Fai
Marci Shimoff, New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and Love for No Reason likes to begin her talks with showing a picture of herself at age two. In the photo, she has one hand on her head and a worried look on her face. Shimoff says she was born with “existential angst” and a “deep pain in her heart,” which she tried to fill with food.
At age nineteen Shimoff asked her dad, “What is the secret to life? He said, “Honey, just be happy.” Shimoff asked, “How do I do that?” He thought for a moment and then replied, “Honey, I don’t know.” Her dad didn’t know because he was a naturally happy person. So Shimoff set out to find the answer for herself.
...read more
by Donna Gates with Lyndi Schrecengost
Born in prosperity, harbingers of change, Baby Boomers have made a significant impact on the world. But what will be our final legacy?
It’s been nearly 40 years since the Baby Boomers arrived at Max Yasgur’s 600-acre alfalfa field to attend Woodstock, an outdoor festival that was as much a counterculture “happening” as it was a celebration of music. Area residents didn’t know what to make of these “hippies” in bohemian dress who abandoned their cars and walked for miles to stand before the concert stage. Woodstock’s political provocation, defiance of convention, and back-to-nature innocence would make it one of the defining moments of an entire generation. Now, 78 million strong and approaching retirement, we Baby Boomers are showing few signs of slowing down.
...read more
by Linda M. Potter
I was just notified through my Angry Birds software that I have now accumulated several achievement awards for such notable accomplishments as: smashing 500,000 blocks, busting 1,500 clouds, breaking open 2,000 cages, shredding 300 chocolate boxes, and snow- plowing down 1,500 ice blocks. Wow, I’ve been busy! All in the pursuit of the total annihilation of over 2,000 chubby little cartoon pigs that taunt me with their annoying squeals and rapid-blink eyes. Of course, I’m not really destroying anything — I’m simply assisting the snarly, vengeful birds out to take down the pork industry one little piggy at a time.
...read more
Brent Hunter
“We have the opportunity to build a Rainbow Bridge into the Golden Age. But to do this, we must do it together with all the colors of the rainbow, with all the peoples, all the beings of the world. We who are alive on Earth today are the Rainbow Warriors who face the challenge of building this bridge.” - Brooke Medicine Eagle Daughter of the Rainbow, Crow and Lakota Medicine Woman
During a time of great darkness, the Earth’s waters will be dirty, the air polluted, the land ravaged and filled with warring peoples. During this time of unrest and sadness, a great new wind from the land of the Eastern Sun will blow across the land worldwide.
People of all colors will come together in the spirit of love, compassion, peace, unity, reconciliation and understanding, with respect for the sanctity of all life, the sanctity of nature and the sanctity of the Earth herself.
...read more
by Brent Hunter
All over the world, people are tired of waiting for their government leaders to make the necessary changes that are promised year after year. While we try to remain optimistic about our future, some of us are frustrated, some are understandably angry, and we all hunger for change. Change is at the heart of the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party Movements in the U.S. and for the Occupy Movement in many other countries.
...read more
by Danny Long An unemployment rate as stubborn as the politicians trying to fix it. Debt as deep as The Waste Land. A global economy as fragile as a geriatric Humpty Dumpty. Say it with me: we’ve got problems. Yet…
...read more
by Katrina Pfannkuch
So, you’re starting off 2012 with a new Smart Phone, fully equipped with must-have applications (apps) like Google Maps, iTunes and Angry Birds. Apps can brighten your day and make life a little easier. Now they can also help you respect the environment!
With technology an ever-growing part of our daily routine, sometimes we forget how it can also simplify our lives by helping us meet important personal goals. If you’ve been meaning to transition to a greener lifestyle but aren’t sure how, try downloading some apps to your mobile phone or laptop for helpful resources on easy, greener ways to manage travel, make purchase decisions and connect to important environmental causes.
...read more
It’s a new year and time for a new list of resolutions! If you’re tired of old “promises” you know you’re not going to keep past January 31, mix things up a bit in 2012 with a few resolutions that will not only make your life cleaner and greener, but give the environment an eco-friendly boost. We asked a few green living experts to help us put together a do-able list. Check out the list and “begin anywhere” for a new year you’ll be proud to call your own.
...read more
by Linda M Potter
In 1952, 22 year old Barbara Marx, the daughter of Marx Toys founder, Louis Marx, accepted an invitation to the White House. There she famously asked President Eisenhower, “What is the meaning of our new power that is good?” It was a question that had weighed heavy on her heart for seven years – the seven years since the bombing of Hiroshima. He didn’t have an answer. She was determined to find one.
...read more
by Beth Buczynski
How many times a week do you take out the trash?
If you recycle your trash or compost your organic waste, you will notice a dramatic decrease in the amount of discarded trash generated by your household.
But achieving zero waste is about more than just recycling and composting.
Zero waste is an eco-conscious concept that involves viewing waste not as useless trash, but as a resource that can create jobs through collection and recycling, open up new financial opportunities for resellers, and most importantly, act as a raw material for the creation of new products.
...read more
© 2012 BellaSpark