Examining Your Relationship with Spirituality for Your Mental Wellness
This post was written by guest blogger Mira Taylor, Master Certified Mental & Spiritual Wellness Practitioner. Learn more at moonandrune.com
Whether or not you grew up in a spiritual or faith-based household, the truth is that we have all grown up in (and therefore have been consciously and unconsciously influenced by) societies that have, themselves, been heavily influenced and shaped by faith, religion, and spirituality through the eyes of culture, politics, and government over many centuries. Our awareness of the spiritual (and sometimes “non” spiritual) belief systems we hold to be true for our Self, other individuals, communities, societies, and the world at large play a substantial and impactful role in our mental health through the psychology and perception we approach life with.
Most of us don’t give our mind and imagination credit as the amazing tools that they are. We mindlessly approach most days and consume loads of narratives, programming, information, and belief structures without a real conscious appreciation for how these things impact us through the time, energy, and attention they take up within us and our mind. Therefore, awareness is always an important first step in our ability to understand and take stock of the belief systems which we have accepted as “truths”: It’s from a place of present and unbiased awareness that we can mindfully approach these beliefs with a sense of conscious responsibility for how they have and are shaping our reality. When we experience belief through our thoughts it requires us to utilize a combination of our individual mind and imagination.
It might seem somewhat silly, trivial, and even “esoteric” to believe that “belief” could possibly have such a powerful role in our life when you look at it on the surface. But if you are willing to look at belief through a deeper lens of modern scientific understanding – specifically through the sciences of human psychology and studies of consciousness - you begin to appreciate just how truly powerful your beliefs are. So, what’s so scientific about “belief”? Recent studies show that our beliefs make up the majority of what is referred to as the “internal reality” or personal perception and that it is our personal and individual perception that shapes the way we experience reality. It is also scientifically attached through the studies of physics where modern research and scientific study clearly prove a connection between our thought patterns and the energetic frequencies (wavelengths) they create, exist in and what they subsequently attract into one’s daily life. To learn more about the connections between Science & Spirituality (Faith) visit my article “The Intersection: Science & Faith.”
In layman's terms - something as simple as believing that you “aren’t enough”, that you are “unintelligent” or that you exist on earth as a “punishment” or to “suffer” is scientifically proven to shape that reality for you. For many who have followed some of the ancient wisdom teachings this is a concept that is referred to as “As Above, So Below”. It is a reference to the idea that whatever you think and believe in is what you are constantly attracting into your life and, according to our modern scientific understandings, this has always been true! For more in-depth information on this topic please visit my article “The Universe As A Mirror of the Mind.”
When you truly begin to believe in how powerful your ability to “believe” is - more realistically how powerful your mind and imagination are - one can’t help but pause and think to themselves “with great power comes great responsibility”. Knowing the truth of your choice in how you use your mind and imagination is usually a huge “wake up call” for many - you have even heard some call it an “awakening”. It is referred to this way because once you receive and accept this knowledge you automatically begin seeing the world and your interactions with it through new eyes. Owning the truth of “how it all works” means owning that you have a lot more responsibility for your life than most people want to take on and that many of the things you have accepted a “victim” relationship with can no longer exist in that view through your new perception.
This is where the role of “conscious responsibility” comes into play so that you can begin to understand and own your relationship with spirituality, belief systems and practices as personal choices and not “rites of requirement” or “procedures for acceptance”. Becoming and taking responsibility for your thoughts and beliefs will help you feel understand that there is no need for you to practice any one structured or “dictated” belief system to be “worthy” – aside from cultivating an internal belief system that you already are. All this said, you might now be wondering to your Self “what exactly is Conscious Responsibility”?
Conscious Responsibility:
“The concept of holding oneself accountable for one’s thoughts, beliefs and views of Self and others - with the understanding that these shape and directly impact one’s mental and spiritual wellness and the daily reality you experience.”
The process of becoming Consciously Responsible for your thoughts, actions, and beliefs – and(or) becoming a “mindful mental consumer” - is necessary for you to be able to identify and disassociate from beliefs that are having a negative or limiting impact in your life. This process is conceptually simple but can be mentally complex depending on the individual. It also requires a certain amount of forgiveness, compassion and non-judgement of one’s Self for your previous state of “unawareness”. Remember, as you begin the journey of Self understanding and start to proverbially turn over the stones and pull up the “weeds” that dwell in the garden of your consciousness that: “You can only know what you know when you know it and then do better” – Maya Angelou. It’s also important to remember that it isn’t only your spiritual which can be negatively impacting your life. As stated previously in this text, even a conscious (or subconscious) choice to believe in something as simple as the idea that you aren’t “successful” or “enough” will hold real and weighty negative implications for how you experience life. Below are some questions which I hope will help everyone begin to identify and become aware of their existing belief systems and start making choices with their beliefs in a way which feels positive, purposeful, and constructive to them.
Self-Guided Questions for Becoming Mindfully Aware of Your Spiritual Belief Systems
When was the last time you reflected on and analyzed the belief systems you hold to be “truths” for you? Do you feel like you are “allowed” to safely question your spiritual beliefs/practices?
Does your relationship with spirituality and the belief system it promotes within you cage you (and others) in or free you? Does it silence your inner- voice or strengthen it?
Do your spiritual practices and beliefs help you see the best or worst in others? Do they shape a positive view of humanity and our collective future?
What do you see as the role or “purpose” for belief and spirituality/ spiritual practices in your life? Is it fulfilling that role or purpose? Is that role or purpose loving/beneficial or controlling/ limiting?
Self-Guided Questions for Identifying Existing Belief Systems (Spiritual and Non- Spiritual)
Identifying Limiting Beliefs
Is there something you feel or belief about yourself that has held you back in your life? How would you describe it?
What is it that you would like to be/do/have that this belief has kept you from being/doing/having?
What do you think is the root cause of this belief that has held you back in life?
What makes this a belief, and it’s impacts on your life a “problem” for you?
What other beliefs do you have that may have caused you to perceive this as a problem for you and want you truly want out of life?
At what point in your life (approx.) did you decide to belief this about yourself.
What or who made you really “buy in” to and apply this belief to yourself?
What has this belief meant to you? How has it shaped your life choices? What has it stopped you from doing/ being or having? What has it given you?
Think about and describe the version of yourself you see without this Self belief? How is this version of you different? What is their life like?
What do you want to do about this Self belief you have had right now?
What major consequences have you experienced in your life because of this Self belief?
Describe the actions you took because of this Self belief? Did you have an awareness of these consequences when you took the action?
If the answer is yes, why did you believe that you deserved to experience a life that involves “consequences”?
How would you see your past self differently if you viewed these moments of your life as necessary lessons for healing your soul in multiple lifetimes/ realities INSTEAD of viewing them as punishments?
How have these lessons made you a better person? How have they shaped who you are today? Would you be who you are today without these experiences?
Questions for Identifying and Affirming Positive Self Belief
What is a positive self-belief you have? Describe how this belief makes you feel.
Do you have a negative or limiting self-belief stopped or suppressed your ability to connect with and live this positive self-belief?
Why do you think you chose to listen to the negative self-belief instead of the positive self-belief?
How would your life be different today if you had chosen the positive self-belief over the negative self believe at major points of your life? Give an example.
When you see the future, you want for yourself. What role does this positive self-belief play in it?
Why is this self-belief important to the core of who you are?
How will this positive self-belief positively impact or change your relationships?