Connectedness: Some Skills for Spiritual Health

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between connectedness and spiritual health. Three forms of connectedness are discussed: connecting with oneself, with others, and with a larger meaning or purpose. Eight connectedness skills are suggested. Combined, these skills may lead to an enhanced sense of spiritual well-being.

Love in Connectedness

“…On the concrete level, it might also apply to being connected biologically to ones' physical body, and perception of health and well-being (Register & Herman, 2010). Being connected with oneself means living a life that fits with or is in congruence with one's feelings and values (Bellingham et al, 1989 oneself may result in self-alienation, which is linked to cultural norms of "going it alone" that may lead to increased isolation. One example is from the American society: The more persons fulfill their commitment to individualism, competition, and independence, the more they become disconnected, bored, and lonely (Bellingham et al, 1989).…”

“…Being connected with oneself means living a life that fits with or is in congruence with one's feelings and values (Bellingham et al, 1989 oneself may result in self-alienation, which is linked to cultural norms of "going it alone" that may lead to increased isolation. One example is from the American society: The more persons fulfill their commitment to individualism, competition, and independence, the more they become disconnected, bored, and lonely (Bellingham et al, 1989). We reflect on the importance of being in balance and in touch with one's inner space as human beings, and if not, the selfalienation can be experienced as spiritual suffering.…”

“…Being connected to something larger than oneself or one's surroundings is perceived as a basic human need and necessitates having a profound purpose in life. Purpose can be equated to meaning, direction, mission, or duty; it is a person's larger goal (Bellingham et al, 1989). Bellingham et al (1989) believe that emptiness and meaninglessness may result in anxiety.…”

“…Purpose can be equated to meaning, direction, mission, or duty; it is a person's larger goal (Bellingham et al, 1989). Bellingham et al (1989) believe that emptiness and meaninglessness may result in anxiety. These authors refer to Tillich who relates anxiety to the loss of an ultimate concern, of a meaning, which gives meaning to all meanings.…”

Recontextualizing mindfulness: Theravada Buddhist perspectives on the ethical and spiritual dimensions of awareness.

“…In terms of possible benefits, there is much agreement that spirituality can be very valuable and important, both in academic psychological literature (Koenig, 2009) and in 'spiritual literature' itself (Wilber, 2007). Positive outcomes associated with spirituality range from a sense of meaning in life (Graber, 2001) to interpersonal connectedness (Bellingham et al, 1989). Moreover, the notion of spiritual development, and the potential attainment of goal states such as 'enlightenment,' although conceptually opaque and poorly understood in a Western psychological context, are frequently positioned within religious/spiritual literature as the most important and valuable endeavour a person can engage in (Sangharakshita, 2003).…”