What is Spiritual Wholeness?
Spiritual Wholeness does not mean being perfect, but being complete. It does
not mean having perfect health but optimal health. It is often painful, but
never boring. If one is to achieve Spiritual Wholeness, one’s life must have a
story which means one has encounter or come up against something that forces the
individual to stop, reflect and possibly change direction, otherwise a story
cannot take place.
Life is a struggle! One of the
most important tasks and challenges in one’s life is to be able to live in a
state of wholeness where we are willing to be transformed and in turn…become
transforming agents to others…growing into the full stature of Christ in
service to God, others, creation and the world. There are times in our lives
when we are not sure where God is in this seemingly chaotic world we live in.
This too is part of the human condition…our humanity or lack thereof…We start
questioning why we exist, why things are happening to us or in many ways to
others and our world. During difficult times in our lives we all (or better
yet, many of us) tend to become more self-focused, self-involved, and
self-conscious rather than God conscious. We do not see with the eyes of God.
It is important to acknowledge, in order for any of us to be whole, we need to
step outside of ourselves and ask for help from others. We all need healing in
our lives. True healing does not take place in a vacuum. Whether we accept that
claim or not…is a choice.
Life is both messy and sacred at
the same time. But God who is faithful does give us what we need to grow.
Life’s difficulties are never ruled out. The challenge is finding the sacred in
the struggle. One thing is certain, if a portion of our true nature is denied,
we suffer. We must not overlook the importance of carrying pain correctly as
part of a process of becoming whole. Wholeness does not equate with happiness,
peace of mind, or security. In fact, greatness seems to be born out of
conflict, pain and struggle, and not peace, unless it is the “peace of God
which passes all understanding,” which is that sense of oneness that comes as a
gift of God to the struggling soul. St. Gregory of Nyssa declares, “The soul
who is troubled is near to God.” St. John of the Cross writes in the Dark Night
of the Soul that it is not peace of mind that brings wholeness but struggle and
conflict. Spiritual enlightenment occurs only when a person has been through
dark and disturbing trials of the soul.
Spiritual Wholeness emphasizes
the integration of body, mind, and spirit. Its philosophy (holistic health) is
based on sound philosophical assumptions about the nature of people and their
relationships with themselves, God, others, and the environment. Its goal is to
empower and encourage whole person health through increased self-knowledge,
personal responsibility, and inter-dependence among God’s people.
This
approach to Spiritual Wholeness invites and challenges us to participate in
life responsibly with a process. It helps us to appreciate balance and humor in
our lives. God wishes all of us to be spiritually, emotionally, intellectually,
and physically whole. If you having already done so, it is better to start now.
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