What Does Spiritual Guidance Mean

Spiritual guidance is, at its core, the process and experience of receiving divine counsel.

The practice of making touch with a higher power has been practiced by humans for millennia and may be found in almost every religious system (Dunn & Horgas, 2001).

What do you mean by spiritual guidance?

Defined Spiritual Guidance Spiritual guidance is, at its core, the process and experience of receiving divine counsel. The practice of making touch with a higher power has been practiced by humans for millennia and may be found in almost every religious system (Dunn & Horgas, 2001).

Why is spiritual guidance important?

Physical symptom and pain alleviation are important as you or a loved one approaches the end of life, but they are only part of Homeland Hospice's entire healthcare strategy. Homeland's holistic approach to healthcare includes spiritual counseling to assist patients and their families in managing the emotional and mental aspects of their journey.

On staff at Homeland Hospice are various counselors and chaplains who assist patients and their families with spiritual difficulties. They provide answers to their questions and assist them in finding meaning and hope.

“Throughout the end-of-life journey, spiritual care and counseling helps the patient analyze their life, their legacy, their knowledge, truth, and values,” says Rev. Dann Caldwell.

“It is my job, my purpose, as a spiritual counselor, to be a resource who offers my presence and assistance during this time of life.

I've come to bring them hope, comfort, and compassion, as well as to answer their questions and worries.”

Spiritual therapy is provided to almost half of the patients at Homeland Hospice. Homeland's counselors and chaplains respect each individual's religious views, offering support and encouragement while reminding patients and families that they are not alone as they approach the end of life.

Patients who have a long-standing relationship with their congregation may choose not to seek other assistance. Those who desire spiritual therapy usually receive at least one or two visits per month.

“We absolutely offer more visits if the patient requests it, and we provide assistance and counseling to people of all denominations and religious affiliations…or no religious connections at all,” says Caldwell.

While spiritual counseling is mostly focused on the patient, family members are occasionally invited to join.

“Family members are sometimes present during a session and join us in prayer,” Caldwell says.

“Some people ask for specific hymns to be sung. We can provide spiritual counseling that is spiritually particular or general, depending on the patient's needs or desires. “We respect the wishes of our patients.”

What is spiritual guidance in Christianity?

Spiritual direction has its origins in the early Christian church. According to the gospels, Jesus acted as a mentor to his disciples. In addition, Ananias is described in Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9 as assisting Paul of Tarsus in growing in his newfound faith. Similarly, Paul is described as mentoring Timothy and Titus, among others, in various Pauline epistles. Polycarp, the 2nd-century bishop of Smyrna, is said to have been instructed by John the Evangelist.

John Cassian, a fourth-century theologian, wrote some of the first known principles on the Christian practice of spiritual direction.

In the monasteries, he established mentoring. Each novice was assigned to an elder monk for supervision. Cassian's precepts were incorporated into what is now known as the Rule of Saint Benedict by Benedict of Nursia.

Spiritual direction is common in the Catholic tradition: a wise and spiritually discerned person, generally but not always a priest or a consecrated person in general, counsels a person who aspires to embark on a journey of faith and discover God's will in his life. The spiritual guide's goal is to identify and grasp what the Holy Spirit is telling the person accompanied via life events, spiritual insights gained through prayer, reading, and meditation on the Bible. The spiritual father or spiritual director may give advise, give life and prayer hints, and resolve doubts in areas of faith and morals without taking the place of the accompanying person's choices and judgments.

What is spiritual guidance and support?

On our spiritual journeys, we all require company. A spiritual guide is a person who assists you in becoming more aware of God's presence in your life. Spiritual guidance may be sought to help you reflect carefully on your experiences or to incorporate spirituality into your daily life. At times of transition, loss, or disappointment, spiritual counseling can be beneficial.

Spiritual guides have been trained and have a lot of expertise in assisting people with their spiritual lives. Spiritual advice differs from counseling in that its objective is to improve awareness of how God is already functioning in your life, rather than to solve issues. We recommend a $50 payment for an hour consultation with a spiritual guide at Holy Wisdom.

A spiritual mentoring relationship's shape, frequency, and length are all personal preferences. Consider the following questions before hiring a spiritual advisor:

Is it necessary for your guide to have a certain religious background?

How is spirituality significant to my everyday life?

People who are spiritual thrive. Spirituality is associated with a variety of fundamental characteristics of human functioning, including positive relationships, high self-esteem, optimism, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Spiritual people reach their full potential. Spiritual people strive for a better life and place a high value on personal development and fulfillment. Because it demands people to focus on their personal beliefs and strive on becoming a better individual, spirituality might be regarded a road toward self-actualization.

How do I get guidance?

While well-intentioned, the phrase is overused, ambiguous, and far too open-ended. When talks begin in this manner, it's impossible to predict where they'll lead or how long they'll last.

Don't get me wrong: I believe in giving and receiving advise. Asking for guidance is a sign of intelligence, and offering advise is a sign of effective leadership. Both parties benefit if the exchange goes well.

“The entire encounter is a delicate and nuanced work of art. Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, restraint, diplomacy, and patience are all required “In a 2015 Harvard Business Review article, Harvard Business School professors Joshua D. Margolis and David A. Garvin wrote.

However, the procedure might go wrong in a variety of ways. According to Margolis and Garvin, it can swiftly lead to “frustration, decision stalemate, substandard solutions, damaged relationships, and hindered personal development.”

Here's some suggestions on how to ask for advise without upsetting the other person to prevent such consequences:

What are examples of spiritual activities?

Finding meaning and purpose in life may be a lifelong process that changes over time as a result of unique circumstances, personal experiences, and global events. A person's level of spiritual wellness, like the other dimensions of wellness, varies throughout their life. It's common to feel a range of emotions on the route to spiritual healing, both positive and negative (hope, forgiveness, acceptance, joy) (doubt, fear, disappointment, conflict).

Spiritual wellbeing has the power to make our decisions and choices easier, to center us during times of change, and to provide us with the resiliency to face hardship with grace and inner peace. Having a spiritual component in our lives may even assist us in healing whether we are afflicted with a physical or mental ailment.

Personal Reflection

Take a moment to measure your spiritual well-being by answering the following questions.

• Do I make an effort to broaden my understanding of various ethnic, racial, and religious groups?

Practice Spiritual Wellness

When it comes to spiritual wellness, it's vital to identify the strategy and approach that works best for you; unlike the other dimensions of wellness, there is no “one size fits all” solution.

• Volunteering in your community, spending time in nature, and appreciating music and the arts are all good things to do.

In future articles regarding spiritual wellness, we'll look at ways to figure out what your meaning or purpose is, as well as activities that can help you maintain or improve your spiritual wellness.

How do you maintain your spiritual well being?

Religion brings spirituality to some people, but it does not bring spirituality to others. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual well-being. Here are a few ideas to get you started if you're not sure where to start.

According to a Gallup poll, 43% of Americans claim to be members of a church or other religious organization. These houses of worship provide a variety of opportunities for those living with mental illnesses to connect with others in their communities.

Reconnect with someone or an organization that shares your ideas and thoughts, whether online, over the phone, or in person. Find ways to connect with like-minded people in your religion community who can support and encourage you by reaching out to a pastor or spiritual leader.

“Many people's support mechanisms were taken away from them during the pandemic—church, volunteering, support groups,” Wester added. “It was especially difficult for individuals who were already dealing with mental health concerns.” I advise people to reconnect with their religion group as soon as they are physically secure to do so.”

It's fine if you don't have a faith community. Finding a cause that resonates to you and giving back is another way to feel connected to your spirituality and faith. Working in a food pantry, becoming a mentor or tutor, or fostering an animal are all options. As a result, your community will develop and you will be able to meet individuals who share your interests. It will offer you a sense of purpose and thankfulness to serve others.

You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from the practice's spiritual benefits. Yoga is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It can improve your mind and spirit, as well as strengthen and stretch your body, by lowering stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

You don't have to be an expert meditator like you don't have to be an experienced yoga practitioner. Because it takes so little time, meditation is one of the easiest disciplines to keep. “Some people believe you must sit and be silent, but this is not the case,” Wester explained. “You can walk while meditating, paying attention to the sensations of your feet on the ground and the intricacies of your surroundings. Simply slowing down your body can help you calm down your mind.”

Even five minutes of meditation can help you reduce stress, despair, and worry while also increasing your mindfulness. There are numerous fantastic guided meditation applications, such as Calm or Balance, if you need help.

Writing can help you process your emotions, raise your awareness, and provide a nonjudgmental space for you to express your feelings in the present. Start a daily thankfulness notebook with prompts or write down your anxieties and fears.

Spending time in nature, whether you live in the mountains, the desert, or near the ocean, can improve your spiritual health. You can't seem to get away from your phone, your day, and your problems. Even a few minutes spent watching the birds, trees swinging in the breeze, or crashing waves on the shoreline can be relaxing.

Find activities that you enjoy, such as knitting, coloring, cooking, sports, or working out. Focusing on things you enjoy might help you regain a feeling of purpose and stay present in the moment, even if only for a short time.

If you're having trouble connecting with your spiritual side or your mental health, get help from someone who is specially trained or someone you trust.

“Chaplains are specifically equipped to deal with religious issues in a clinical setting,” Wester added. They can assist validate your feelings without sweeping them under the rug. They can help you get back on track spiritually.”

What happens in a spiritual direction session?

Spiritual direction appointments last around an hour and take place once a month. The director and directee discuss the prospect of having a spiritual direction relationship during the first meeting. They decide on meeting times, locations, costs, and other logistics if they choose to continue meeting.