Spiritual Recovery
As we mature and move through our days each of us will experience many moments, events, and circumstances that will feel incoherently odd, mentally overwhelming, emotionally tormenting, spiritually debilitating, and at times even physically painful. Adulthood requires a great deal of thinking, analyzing, vulnerability, responsibility, and accountability for our unhealthy attitudes and ego-protective behaviors. Without steady spiritual development we lose ourselves and gradually fall into living lives that are not truly our own.
Subconscious
When very young, every negative word that was thrown at us, and every sort of abuse given was recorded and stored in the subconscious for good reason. The brain is always in hyper-protective mode and looking out for any chance of physical, mental, and emotional harm in present or future discordant events. Every judgmental or demeaning proclamation we ever received remains in the shadows of our lives for decades, and sometimes for the rest of our lives. Those dormant memories, and accompanying emotions, are brought out into the open every time someone says or does something that matches hurtful situations of the past and then wonder why we behaved so rudely when triggered.
North Star
The spirit receives a hard punch every single time we accept and believe the negative words of others. Therefore, spiritual recovery must include refusing to agree with others who want us to follow their direction for our lives instead of following our own north star. Taking a moment to investigate, adapt, adjust, or release what no longer serves our best selves is the first, and strongest, way to reclaim our authentic selves. Reclaiming our spiritual selves also help us develop more mental flexibility and emotional fluency, both integral to living life well.
“We can heal the bruises of spirit and regain spiritual stamina when we are willing to do the work required - that must always include a belief in our ability to do so. ”