Do you or someone in your life feel lost and overwhelmed with grief? You must be feeling stuck with no way out. You are at the end of your rope and don’t know how to move forward.
We understand that even though you may be looking for ways to overcome grief of loss, nothing has worked. What if Iwe told you that there is a way to find relief from the pain? A way to experience hope, reassurance, and a new-found perspective on life itself?
Spirituality is a way to see beyond the physical world, into the metaphysical realm of possibilities.
Lots of people go through tough experiences and suffer a loss. We all know that.
It might be the loss of a relationship, a pet, a home, even a job, or a dream. This loss is devastating and leaves us feeling miserable. On some level, we all understand that there is a reason for these hard times, but we don’t always feel that we can cope with them. People often turn to spiritual resources to help them get through the tough times.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is a topic that is deeply personal for many people. It is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. Its meaning is often deeply embedded in a person’s life and can be very hard to articulate.
Spirituality can be personal to an individual or it can mean identifying with a group of people who all have similar thoughts, beliefs, or practices.
The positive effects of a strong belief system or spirituality can be shared through education, community support, and social interaction.
What is Grief?
Grief is an emotional response to loss. Major or long-term loss is referred to as grief. Grief can be a response to the death of someone close- a spouse, child, or close friend, or something such as one’s pet or job.
There are varying stages of grief but periods tend to include shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These feelings may repeat and shift around in intensity.
Expressing feelings openly is considered healthy when grieving.
The “Connection” Between Grief and Spirituality
Can spirituality help you transcend your grief?
Yes. We can overcome feelings of loss, grief and anxiety by integrating spiritual practices into our life.
Spirituality helps us slow down and reflect.
Spirituality is the process of striving to grow in a direction that is highly personal and focused on soul-strengthening.
Your spiritual beliefs may help improve your relationships. It can help you resolve differences and be more patient. Spirituality can help people understand each other better. It can help you get to the core of the issue that is causing you so much pain. It can help you forgive someone who has hurt you.
Spirituality helps you to feel deeply and passionately about things.
It makes you realize that you have the power to bring positivity into your life and to connect with people. After a period of loss, your spiritual belief is what helps you bounce back.
It can help you make new friendships and it creates a feeling of belonging in your life. It can help you live a happier life by preventing you from getting depressed. Spirituality helps you enjoy your life to the fullest.
Spirituality helps you to get to know the “real you”.
If you’re trying to overcome feelings of grief easily, take some time to reflect on your regrets and worries.
What are you truly sorry for? What would you have done differently if given the chance? Are there any things you would have liked to say to someone before they passed away? Jot down anything that comes to mind. You will likely be surprised at what surfaces from your subconscious.
Spirituality helps you to minimize conflict, aggression and accept differences.
People who face sudden loss, especially among friends or of jobs, feel bewildered about the meaning of life. They experience disbelief and even depression. Spirituality is the most appropriate response to tragic events. It gives you solace and hope- so that you can move on with your life after loss.
Spiritual beliefs can be a source of strength in situations of grief, loss and despair. Most personal or professional issues arise due to conflict. Your spiritual bent of mind can help you see things in a clearer manner. It helps you to let go of your anger and grief, and accept differences.
Spirituality helps to uncover the purpose of the Universe and life as we know it.
Spirituality offers reassurance and hope, as well as insight and wisdom. It allows you to develop a better appreciation of your circumstances and apply the steps needed to overcome any grief or loss.
It offers a roadmap for reaching greater levels of peace, insights, consolation, and understanding that will provide you with strength and find acceptance.
Also, spirituality can help guide you through the process of rediscovering a deeper sense of purpose, meaning, and joy from life – despite the grief of loss you’ve experienced.
Nurturing our spirit as we journey through grief is no easy feat. It’s a daily practice that takes courage, self-care, and connection with self and others. And there never seems to be enough time to tend to all the needs in our lives. Our responsibilities and to-do lists seem endless, it’s easy for us to take care of what needs to be done and give up on our own special needs.
However, you need to develop and practice spirituality to achieve a sense of balance in your life.
When it comes to spirituality, we mourn life losses from the inside out. In my experience, it is only when we are spiritually nurtured (inside and outside) that we discover the courage to mourn openly and honestly.
It is also then that we find it easier to embrace our anger, sadness, and envy. And to say “farewell” – not in despair but with gratitude for the preciousness of life. Spirituality reminds us that sorrow can be sweet because it empowers us to rediscover joy.
