Dumbbells, Walkers and Spiritual Health

by Michael Spyker

Why do you think so many people do a workout at the gym, or at least would like to, if only they could work up enough enthusiasm? All that conditioning would make them look better of course, which is important in our modern world. Also, they would feel more alive, fitter with more energy. Exercise, as all the medicos will tell you, is good for your health.

   The body does not stay naturally healthy. You have to look after it. If you don't, it will deteriorate. If you consider the many unhealthy people about, and the many more who are okay but could easily be healthier, you have to conclude that staying properly in trim is not automatic. You purposefully will have to make it happen.

   Now here's the rub. Something is always tempting you to be lazy and slide comfortably downhill. You simply have to steel yourself to take that swim or that walk otherwise it may be postponed for later, obviously with good intentions. But later may not come, somehow. Now you've started to go down the wrong track and it isn't easy to scramble back. There seems a power at work in you, always close by, that is resisting success, and is determined to prevent you from reaching your full potential. Staying in good shape physically is a struggle.

   A similar struggle can be found with psychological and spiritual health. Psychology and spirituality are closely related and the word psycho-spiritual has been coined to express that interconnection. Nobody knows where the psychological ends and the spiritual begins. There is considerable overlapping. Much of what seems spiritual may well be psychological and ego driven. A healthy spirit is important and benefits people psychologically. In turn, a competent psychological outlook on life allows for spiritual inner freedom.

   Dumbbells and walkers are good for bodily health and can lift the soul. I feel more energetic, more up-beat. But that's not enough for really complete wellbeing. The soul and the spirit need special attention as well. Without it a person will falter, and many do. If you have a nicely fit and toned body you are still only partially healthy. What about the psycho-spiritual side of things? How are you feeling in your quiet moments when on your own? Are there some unpleasant questions lurking perhaps? People tend to avoid such introspection as unhelpful. Quite rightly so. It's little use stirring up emotions that get you down and to which you have no answer. It's much better getting on with things as best you can. But deep within you forces are at work that are pitted against you. It's the negative side of being human. Ideally that needs an answer.

   If psycho-spiritual health is so important to real wellbeing, you may expect religion to have some worthwhile advice. After all, it deals with the human spirit. In fact, it has good advice. However, to look at each of the world religions and discover what spiritual benefits are on offer will be a huge study. Questions will arise as to how the believer may experience and interpret the spiritual benefits. How the sacred texts should be approached. What cultural dynamics would be in play? Religion is a complex matter and comparisons, though interesting, are only slightly helpful. Better to decide on which religion to follow and learn of its perspectives and instructions. The only belief system I can speak of from experience is Christianity. To me there's nothing quite like what Jesus Christ has achieved.

   For all its wisdom and insights, adhering to a religion isn't a road to psycho-spiritual health automatically. I don't think you would consider a religious terrorist an example of real wellbeing; quite the opposite. Nor do the dictatorial practices of religion ring true as beneficial to your health in body, soul and spirit; however nicely it is dressed up as needed authority based on sacred writings and tradition. If you consider organized religion across the globe, and its often dogmatic adherence to rules and regulations that can be quite arbitrary, you will be forgiven for deciding that any real value to be found in and amongst it would require quite a search. In our modern world, negative practices of any kind, and certainly religious ones, will be exposed in the media forthwith. There is no arguing with this. It's not a bad thing. However, it's one-sided as the many good happenings initiated by religion are left unreported. Those simply aren't news.

   Let's bring this problem closer home for me personally. Considering the malpractices of the Christian church, why would I trust it with my wellbeing? Why indeed! Many people get hurt in church. It's no use avoiding this issue as everyone is aware of it. Again, the media makes absolutely sure of that. To answer that Christians aren't perfect, just like everyone else, is simply too glib. No-one is asking for perfection. Just good enough will do fine. It's not asking too much for the leadership of the church to be genuine. Still, some ministers see fit to quietly commit adultery or engage in other kinds of wrong behavior. It's difficult to look past these failures and see the good things. No wonder people are reluctant in joining a church, while believers walk out in disillusionment.

   I would much rather not have written these sentences. It wasn't much fun. But when we are dealing with something as important as complete wellbeing in body, soul and spirit, playing hide and seek is inappropriate. At least the hide part is. The seek side we will have a look at next. What can be found in the Christian faith that is worthwhile? Absolutely plenty, I believe.

   It is important to know that Jesus never came to establish a religion, though surely he would have realized as the Son of God that this was to happen. All the trappings of religious culture and tradition that were to follow after his walk on earth have increasingly obscured what he came to tell and do. You may remember what Jesus is about from Icebergs, Spirituality and Religion. Otherwise get a copy of this free download from our website.

   Jesus came to offer a New Beginning to anyone who desires to be in relationship with him. A New Creation, born of the Holy Spirit, is issued within the believer. That spiritual power is geared towards facilitating psycho-spiritual health. Not instantly, but gradually, as you are aligning with it in attitude and prayer. Such a unique opportunity in getting my life together is too good to ignore. I must try to see past the failings of the Church. And all's not that bad. There is much good happening in Christianity. Jesus is still working by his spirit in and through his people. And there are some great insights on total wellbeing in the Bible. It surely calls a spade, a spade.

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