Please trust this and know that if you tap into your inner Spiritual Warrior, you will be able to handle anything that comes your way. You can pray in whatever way you like, as long as you like, to whomever you like. See our article on the power of prayer for more guidance. Complicated grief can serve as an initiation onto your spiritual path through the Dark Night of the Soul.
A Spiritual Inventory
These therapies can get to the underlying emotional issues that often lead to that first drink or drug. I lost my cat at the start of the year, my job a few days later and my uncle a few weeks later. I wanted to die, I wanted the nightmare that is life to end. I was out of work for about three months and I cried every day, I had nightmares when I did manage to sleep to the point where I would force myself to stay awake as long as possible.
Final Thoughts on Living the Spiritual Life and Recovery
- Some people have an image of an instantaneously life-changing event—the equivalent of being struck by a bolt of lightening or being spoken to by a burning bush (a la Moses) or some similarly dramatic and unmistakable occurrence.
- Whatever way you wish to process your grief is totally fine and important to honor.
- The pursuit of them dominated our lives, destroyed relationships, and caused greater desperation than we ever thought possible.
- You are merely instructed to be open to the idea that you are not the end all be all, that there exists out in the universe something that is greater or more powerful than yourself.
And once we take action and put that substance in our system – whether its alcohol, drugs, sugar, or whatever—it sets off a physical craving for more of that substance or activity and we’re caught in a cycle. Spirituality is the aspect of recovery that I think most often gets overlooked. Some of us are very comfortable embracing spirituality, but for others, it feels weird or uncomfortable. Most spiritual enlightenment paths I’ve taken have left me burnt and damaged, sans for the ones such as this blog that share resources and let me do the job myself. I thank you for emphasising the importance of the individual in finding the right path, as not all guides are safe.
The spiritual malady and addiction
Then one day at work I was walking past a bunch donuts some evil salesman had left in the break room when I realized that I no longer physically craved sugar. But I realized I wanted the emotional payoff more than I physically craved the sugar and lard. I have some dear friends who are involved in an organization called Global Information Network and it appears that much of your description tells me this organization is not healthy.
This is frequently referred to as “fight and flight” physiology. The other threat phenotype is one of relative immobilization where we retreat, ruminate, isolate, dissociate and experience bodily and spiritual disconnections. This is frequently spiritual malady referred to as “falter (or freeze) and faint” physiology. Finally, someone explained to me that those things are not the insanity that the Big Book talks about; nor are those things why the alcoholic’s life becomes unmanageable.
- One is a mobilization response to threat where we can prejudge, react, attack, argue, criticize, blame, and experience interpersonal disconnections.
- Overcoming this malady requires an active approach towards developing a sense of purpose through spiritual connection.
- The more we focus less on ourselves we allow a god of our understanding to enter our minds and work in our lives.
- We became selfish and self-seeking, ever thirsting for more, and this lust warped us on every level.
- I thank you for emphasising the importance of the individual in finding the right path, as not all guides are safe.
What is Complicated Grief?
The contemplative connection between body, movement, dance and a meditation practice
- Below is an overview of the 12 admissions that support the 12 steps toward recovery.
- It is therefore imperative that we evaluate and understand threat well.
- You can even celebrate your deceased loved one by creating a piece of art in honor of them.
- Only once we open the spiritual channels and begin to accept a Higher Power into our lives can we hope to find a solution to our alcoholic condition.
- Compassion radiates whenever we can connect with another through shared experience.