If you are familiar with the Twelve Steps, you will know that it is essential to have a higher power in order to recover from addiction. For many, this is a very difficult concept to accept and implement. However, spirituality’s role in recovery can be incredibly useful and important. Continue reading to explore why connecting with your spirituality is so important, and ways to connect in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to you.
Why Spirituality?
Spirituality can be thought of as the quality of focusing on the human spirit or soul as opposed to material things. So, how does this help with addiction recovery? Oftentimes, struggling with addiction can make you feel overwhelmed with negative thoughts of hopelessness, frustration or anxiety. You become unable to access what you really want out of life because you are not addressing and processing your deeper feelings and problems. Ignoring these difficult emotions and situations prohibits you from living authentically and finding peace with yourself and the world around you.
When you practice accessing your spirituality, you become more honest with yourself and others. From there, you become better able to become the people you want to be. Practicing this universal love for yourself and others can give you a unique guide to follow when making choices throughout your life. Spirituality can also give you a feeling or belief of overall well-being and security throughout life. In this way, even when unideal events occur in your life, being connected spiritually assures you that you will be OK, and that life is still good. Many choose to practice organized religion to connect with their spirituality. However, there are many other ways to connect spiritually.
You Get to Choose
For many people, organized religions have hurt them or caused them dissatisfaction in some way. For these individuals, the idea of practicing spirituality again is both daunting and strenuous. With that said, there are many ways to practice spirituality that are completely different from how organized religions practice.
Rather than reading the Bible and attending church, you may find meditation to be a way to practice spirituality. Some people do this by sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, while repeating a mantra or phrase. Yet others choose to lay down and simply breathe. Either way, this practice helps connect you with your body and breath, allowing you to stay in the present moment rather than get lost in temporary thoughts and emotions. Existing in the present moment through meditation and breathwork can allow you to break free from cyclical thoughts and make conscious choices that feel true and authentic to you.
Practicing gratitude is another instance of spirituality. Having a journal dedicated to expressing gratitude for everything you have in your life is a great way to not only boost your mood, but to realize how lucky you are to be where you are right now as well. Oftentimes we take all the wonderful things we have in life for granted. Unfortunately, this is a part of human nature that causes us a lot of dismay. By constantly reminding yourself how grateful you are to have the things you have in life, you will most likely feel immensely thankful for your life. This practice could even be accomplished along with lighting candles, using aromatherapy or even turning on some peaceful music while writing. You get to decide what helps this process feel fun and gratifying for you.
Many find that being in nature helps them to feel connected spiritually. Simply sitting in a wooded area or a beach can help you realize how beautiful life is. It also can help people realize that we too are a natural part of this earth, and that you are truly beautiful exactly as you are. Whether it be swimming or taking a walk, you can begin to experience a sense of peace, love and gratitude just by spending time with nature.
Organized Religions
In the United States, we are not required to practice just one religion, even though Christianity is considered to be the most popular religion in the U.S. That being said, many people do benefit from practicing and being a part of an organized religion. From Buddhism to Islam, and Judaism to Hinduism, and many other religions in between, there are a number of options that may interest you or suit your spiritual needs. This type of structure could be beneficial when working to maintain sobriety.
When deciding what role spirituality plays in your life, the important thing to keep in mind is that you are in control of how you practice your spirituality. You get to choose what you do and what it means to you. The only requirement is that whatever you choose, it helps you connect to your true self, and feel love and acceptance for yourself and the world around you. Here at Pinelands Recovery Center of Medford, we want to help you understand more about how spirituality is an important factor for continued recovery. Figuring out how to incorporate spirituality into your life may come with a lot of unexpected complications and conflicting emotions. At our facility in Medford, New Jersey, we have many different methods of treatment to help you get the information and help you need. Get in touch with us today at (877) 557-5372.