THAT’S THE SPIRIT!

A few weeks ago, I wrote that to enjoy true health and well-being, we need to balance the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our bodies.  I have written extensively about the first three aspects, but our spiritual health is a much more emotive, profound and controversial subject.  The idea that there is a link between our spiritual health and our physical well-being is a very old one, but nowadays it is not always recognised.  Indeed, many people in today’s society have no time whatsoever for their spiritual side.

To develop our spiritual health, we first need to recognise that we are spiritual beings, and then spend some time thinking about what this means.  Of course, the established Church can and does give us excellent guidance on this subject, but there are other approaches, beliefs and faiths.  There is much we can learn if we are open to and willing to listen to the ideas of people who have different beliefs to our own.

If you believe that we are beings that have a body and soul, then it is important to attend to the well-being of both.  But it is a sad fact that for many in today’s million miles per hour world, there is no place for meditation, quiet contemplation and prayer.  We spend every waking moment bombarded by sounds which drown out the inner, quiet voice of serenity, peace and knowledge.  Yet the beautiful, soothing, comforting power of that whisper-soft voice is present in all of us, if only we took the time to listen to it.

There is more.  If we are in touch with our spiritual side, we become more comfortable with other aspects of our soul, such as what happens when we are ill or when we die.

The importance of our spiritual health is the topic of my next positive living workshop “Dying to live: our soul’s transition” on Thursday 25^th October from 8.00 – 9.30 pm at the Edmund Rice Centre, Barrack St, Waterford, cost €10.  I will be running the workshop with my husband Jerry, who will cover how the ancient religion of Shamanism sees the division of body and soul.  It promises to be a fascinating workshop!  No need to book – simply turn up on the night.  See www.bredgardner.com for more details, or call 087 2025753.