Link between Mental health and Spirituality: Searching soul

The process of exploring oneself by contemplating on fundamental questions such as the purpose of existence, one's role in life and the reason for being here is commonly referred to as spirituality.

And everyone wants to know that is there any connection of mental health with spirituality? Let's understand it, in this article.

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Mental health and Spirituality

Those who embark on this journey tend to have a giving nature and prioritize generosity over personal gain.

They show a balanced mind and a sensitive and generous helpful nature towards others. 

They do not harbor any expectations from the universe, instead, they believe in the inherent goodness of nature and the power of virtuous actions Hence lets understand the link between mental health and spirituality.

Spirituality is a multifaceted concept that encompasses numerous branches and practices. 

In Indian culture, there exist many meaningful practices that facilitate spiritual growth, such as Yoga. 

Through the practice of Yoga, one can attain spirituality and experience its vast benefits.

Let’s understand what spirituality is.

There is a common misconception about spirituality that some gurus or mentors propagate, stating that to attain spiritual enlightenment, one must relinquish their worldly possessions and relationships, including family and friends. However, this is an incorrect concept.

Being spiritual means fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities towards family and friends, while also committing to performing good deeds and helping others. 

One must not become arrogant or boastful about their wealth and luxuries, as these material possessions can corrupt one's good deeds.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna imparts knowledge about spirituality to Arjuna, who was already a king leading a prosperous life. 

Despite his riches, Arjuna never became prideful and fulfilled his duties as a king before turning towards Moksha, the path of enlightenment. 

This serves as a great example in Hinduism to understand the true essence of spirituality.

If we take the example of Mother Teresa she was a well known catholic saint who has served her whole life to the poor, and needy in the city of Calcutta India. Although she was deeply religious, she was also highly spiritual, as evidenced by her selfless devotion to helping others. Through her foundation, "Missionaries of Charity," she provided assistance to the blind, elderly, and disabled, always putting the needs of others before her own.

Mother Teresa's firm trust in doing good deeds and giving nature helps her to overcome whatever the obstacles came into her way. Her deeds were motivated not by personal gain, but by a deep desire to spread happiness and goodness. 

In doing so, she received immeasurable blessings in return. Her story teaches us that it is possible to attain spiritual energy while fulfilling our responsibilities towards our families and society. There is no need to renounce our worldly roles to become a hermit and seek spirituality.

Spirituality

What does it mean by being religious or by being spiritual?

Being religious means worshiping our god through various ways such as prayers, attending religious activities, visiting temples, celebrating god’s events, chanting mantras and so on but in every activity there should be involvement of your deity and this is referred to as being religious.

On the other hand, being spiritual is about understanding oneself by engaging in practices like yoga and finding a connection to the universe. 

It involves cultivating habits that promote helping others, being a giver, meditating for inner peace, loving nature, practicing gratitude towards others, expressing thankfulness, avoiding rudeness towards others, and seeking a sense of happiness and fulfillment in the purpose of life.

The intersection/role of spirituality in mental health.

A body of research has shown that people who engage in spiritual activity tend to report higher levels of happiness, gratitude, and forgiveness. And also observed that lesser issues of mental illness like stress, anxiety and depression.

In a study, researchers divided participants into two groups in which one group was told to practice yoga and meditation, while the other group was regular without engagement in such practices. After 90 days researchers noticed a difference in two groups, in their behavior, patience and thinking.

And in the results, the group who was practicing spiritual activities adapts positive changes in their mental as well as physical health.

They show a sense of life, clear thoughts and positive attitude in the given work calmness and stronger mindset.

In short, spirituality can be beneficial for :-

Attainment of mental and inner peace.

Helps to boost mental and physical health.

Improvement of cognitive abilities such as memory and mental powers.

Facilitation of the search for life's purpose.

Advancement of one's relationships with family and others.

Creating a feeling of being connected to the universe, energy, and divine power, or nature and environment.

Ways to practice spirituality for overall well-being.

Integrating spirituality into daily activities is achievable, provided one takes out some time for self-reflection. 

A helpful way to explore our inner thoughts and feelings is asking ourselves questions like ‘Am I happy and satisfied?’ ‘what makes me feel joyful?’ and in some cases we can seek help from a mentor.

Let us explore some effective methods for practicing spirituality:

Yoga:

Yoga, which has been recommended by numerous saints and spiritual gurus in Indian culture, is widely considered the most effective approach for attaining mindfulness spirituality. 

Practice of yoga has proven benefits. Also Ayurveda recommends yoga for better mental and physical health and it is an awesome way as an unconventional medicine for better mindset.

Approach of helping other:

Engaging in this activity can certainly help individuals achieve their life goals, as the act of giving not only fills one's heart, but also multiplies the blessings that one receives. 

By giving helping hands to needy individuals can sense the positive energy from nature and feel connected to it and that divine god. And then the path of spirituality and personal developments opens for you.

Practicing Gratitude:

Expressing gratitude towards others for what one has received is a virtuous act. 

Maintaining a sense of pride and entitlement for one's possessions can impede one's good deeds and hinder the path to spirituality. 

Practicing thankfulness and gratitude towards nature, family, friends, and all the support received during upbringing is crucial in the pursuit of spiritual growth. 

By cultivating a sense of gratitude towards these elements, one can further advance on the path of spirituality.

Meditation:

Meditation is one of the oldest means of self-discovery, whereby individuals can illuminate the energy within and advance on the path of spirituality.

Mindful meditation, which has been taught by many Indian saints and gurus, has been empirically shown to enhance inner peace, positivity, and one's own inherent abilities.

In studies it's proven that meditating regularly provides happiness, calmness, and a sense of fulfillment and issues like anxiety and stress never affect the mind of a person who practices meditation regularly.

Spiritual Practice's.

In the bottom line:

It is necessary that one should know the difference between being religious and being spiritual.

One can embrace spirituality without the need to become a hermit, and can enjoy its benefits while still fulfilling one's familial and social roles. Through good deeds, mindful meditation, and gratitude, individuals can cultivate spirituality and harness the energy of the divine nature and universe to enhance their overall well-being.