That's the Spirit!

Yesterday I listened as yet another person shared how essential his faith in a "higher power" had been in his journey from chronic homelessness toward a more fulfilling, healthy, stable and happy life....and I started to wonder.  

Spirituality has been defined in many ways, and certainly is expressed and embraced in a variety of fashions.  Some follow a very traditional route, via established religious codes.  Others forge a path that samples from different traditions (a friend describes himself as a "Jew-Bu" reflecting on his Jewish roots and Buddhist sensibilities).  Others create their own path, acknowledging their spirituality while avoiding or even rejecting traditional ideas about God.  Some reject notions of spirituality altogether.  Yet, even so…

What seems to be true across this spectrum of belief is an innate human desire to understand ourselves and the world around us--to create meaning out of our own experience.  We want to make sense out of our stories, and we want our stories to make sense.   But when our stories don't make sense, or they are too painful or difficult for us to embrace--when we we feel disconnected or ungrounded or struggle with mental illnesses that are a barrier to our finding positive meaning, that's when the opportunities arise for other elements to take the place of the meaning we all desire--things like drugs or alcohol or other numbing or distracting behaviors.  Ironically, the things we turn to in order to find meaning become the very things that keep us from finding it.

This opens up an opportunity for us, as people in the privileged places of helping others: how can we encourage people to explore their spiritual natures--to find meaning in their stories and continue on their journeys toward richer, healthier and more meaningful lives?  How can we help open up avenues of healing and hope for those we serve?

I'm not suggesting we promote any particular religion, perspective or path.  What I'm saying is that the paths are already there--and one way we can help people grow and break free of destructive patterns is to encourage their exploration; invite people to walk down a new path of meaning.