What Is Spiritual Emptiness

Spiritual emptiness was a major problem in the educated European middle class, according to Austrian philosopher/educator Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). He claimed that European culture had become “empty of spirit” and “ignorant of the demands, the conditions, that are required for the life of the spirit” in his 1919 lectures. Due to the “absence of will from the life of thought,” people experienced a “spiritual emptiness” and their thinking became distinguished by a “lazy passivity.” People would “let their thoughts to take hold of them” in modern Europe, according to Steiner, and these thoughts would increasingly be filled with abstraction and “pure, natural scientific thinking.” The educated middle classes began to think in a “devoid of spirit” manner, with their thoughts getting “dimmer and darker,” and their spirits becoming increasingly empty.

According to Louis Dupré, a Yale University philosophy professor, the “spiritual emptiness of our day is a sign of its religious poverty.” Many people, he claims, “never experience any emptiness: they are too busy to feel much absence of any kind”; they only realize their spiritual emptiness when “painful personal experiences — the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a marriage, the alienation of a child, the failure of a business” shock them into reassessing their sense of meaning.

Juvenile violence has been linked to spiritual emptiness. In his 1999 book How Juvenile Violence Begins: Spiritual Emptiness, John C. Thomas claims that kids in impoverished indigenous communities who are feeling meaningless may turn to fighting and aggressive crime to fill their void. In his 1999 book Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them, Cornell University professor James Garbarino argues that “neglect, shame, spiritual emptiness, alienation, anger, and access to guns are a few of the elements common to violent boys.” According to Garbarino, a professor of human development, violent males have “alienation from positive role models” and “a spiritual vacuum that fosters hopelessness.” The violent fantasy of American gun culture seduces these children, providing negative role models of tough, aggressive males who use power to obtain what they want. He thinks that giving boys a “feeling of purpose” and “spiritual anchors” that can “anchor boys in empathy and socially engaged moral thought” can benefit them.

Addiction is frequently linked to spiritual emptiness, particularly by Christian-influenced addiction organizations and counsellors. One of the effects of alcoholism, according to Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, is that heavy drinkers experience a spiritual emptiness. In his book Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception, published in 1997, Abraham J. Twerski contends that when people are spiritually empty, they typically turn to addictive activities to fill the emptiness. Unlike an empty stomach, which is a distinct sensation, spiritual emptiness is difficult to pinpoint, leaving persons with a feeling of “vague disquiet.” While some people try to fill the void by excessively having sex, overeating, or abusing drugs or alcohol, these habits only provide brief relief. When a person in crisis because of spiritual emptiness is able to stop one addiction, such as obsessive sex, they frequently replace it with another, such as gambling or overeating.

How do you deal with spiritual emptiness?

And he told them a tale about how they should always pray and never give up. (18:1) (Luke 18:1)

We can see from the foregoing verse that persistent prayer is both possible and expected.

Fasting Helps

Fasting: Fasting can be used to support your tarrying in his presence. Fasting humbles us and sharpens our spirit man, which is why we should fast.

I covered the advantages of fasting in part 2 of my piece on prayer keys, so I won't go over it again here.

Analyse How You Got to Current State of Spiritual Emptiness

Perform a root cause study and assess how you arrived at your current spiritual emptiness.

What were some of the things you did or didn't do? You will be able to avoid those things in the future if you take an honest look inward.

For instance, few years ago, I was engrossed in a daily television series. Before I knew it, I was so engrossed in watching the series that I had forgotten about my time with God.

What does emptiness mean in the Bible?

Rabbi Mark H. Levin of Overland Park, Kansas' Congregation Beth Torah: The following are two biblical Hebrew terms that are translated as “There is nothing there.” One, pronounced “rake,” usually refers to being physically empty, as in “Don't come before me empty-handed” (Exodus 23:15), but it can also refer to being mentally empty “Judges 11:3 says, “Wicked people.”

What does spiritual dryness feel like?

Spiritual dryness or desolation in Catholic spirituality refers to a lack of spiritual comfort in one's spiritual life. It's a type of spiritual crisis that manifests itself subjectively as a sense of being cut off from God or a lack of spiritual emotion, particularly during contemplative meditation.

What does emptiness mean in psychology?

Most people suffer feelings of emptiness—a loss of meaning or purpose—at some point in their lives. Chronic sensations of emptiness, emotional numbness or despair, and similar experiences, on the other hand, could be signs of other mental health issues such depression, anhedonia, or schizophrenia.

Following the death of a loved one, emptiness can also be felt as a part of mourning. When it becomes impossible to focus on other elements of life, an individual who feels persistent and severe sensations of emptiness may find it beneficial to consult with a therapist.

What causes spiritual dryness?

Religious people might go through spiritual dry spells that range from spiritual unease to spiritual crises. The writers looked into the root reasons of spiritual dryness in religious brothers and sisters who had lived in monastic settings for decades. They conducted qualitative interviews with 16 brothers and 14 sisters, inquiring about the triggers of spiritual dryness stages. The identified categories were inductively structured and condensed into five main topics based on the content analysis of the 30 narratives: (1) Loss of Relationship with God, (2) Loss of Orientation, (3) Loss of Depth, (4) Difficulties with the Religious Community, and (5) Intrinsic Factors: Overload, Uncertainty, Depression. Extrinsic (God not responding, others causing obstacles) and intrinsic (loss of orientation and depth, doubt, and depressive state) factors can be separated from these five primary subjects. To assist and support persons during these periods, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying'spirits' (triggers) is required. It appears that no single (theological) interpretation of the causes is valid, but that different interpretations may be true for the many different people who are going through these periods of darkness, dryness, despair, or loss of faith.

How do you pray when you feel empty?

I'm lonely, Heavenly Father, and I need your comfort. Help me realize that even when others don't, you notice me. Please stick with me as I go through this ordeal. Help me comprehend that I'm going through this for a reason, and that you'll be there to support me; that I'll be able to overcome this because you're with me. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Thank you, Lord, for your kindness and grace. Thank you for reminding me that I don't have to be afraid because you're beside me. Assist me in overcoming my negative thoughts and anxiety of being alone. I'm sure your presence gives calm in the midst of the storm. Thank you for being there for me through this difficult time. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Greetings, Jesus! I beseech you to investigate my heart. Check to see if I have any nefarious tendencies. Please bring it to my attention so that I can correct it in front of you. Thank you for your understanding. Despite the fact that I believe you are far away, I choose to believe in your promise that nothing will be able to separate me from your love; that you are on my side, not against me. Today, please assist me in walking in the assurance of that promise. Amen.

Thank you, God, that you haven't forgotten about me and will never forget about me. I'll admit that I've been doubting your goodness and not trusting you. In your truth, renew my heart and intellect. In my heart, I implore you to continue your healing work. Repair the damage. Give me the strength to confront today's problems, knowing that you will not desert me. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Father, Right now, I'm feeling lonely. You promised you'd never let me down or abandon me. Lord, I believe in you, but please help me overcome my skepticism. Please come immediately and be near me. Allow me to sense your presence and tranquility. I invite you to come into my life and relieve me of my loneliness. I appreciate your assurance of your loyalty. I am in awe of your devotion to me. Amen, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Lord, I feel vulnerable, bewildered, terrified, and alone, as if there is no one I can truly trust or rely on. Thank you for reminding me that every word you say is correct. I come to you today humbly requesting your protection from those who wish to hurt others, as well as from my own negative ideas. Protect me from the lies of my foes. Only truth should fill my heart and mind. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Greetings, God! I feel alone, yet I know you are there with me through it all. Please instill hope in my mind. I appreciate your word's assurance that your hand will guide me. I can lean on Your strength when I am weak. Help me to accomplish that today; help me to see past my circumstances and believe you when you say you will. Amen, in Jesus' name.

I'm asking for your assistance right now, Heavenly Father. Teach me not to be concerned. Please remind me not to be worried. ‘Don't worry about anything, pray about everything,' says your word. And I'll tell you what I require.' Thank you, God, for your provision. Thank you for the assurances of our presence that your word contains. Please provide the calm and comfort of your presence to my situation. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Is the Holy Spirit a feeling?

Yes! The Holy Spirit is a living being with feelings. His emotions are eerily similar to ours as individuals and parents. My minister described how the Holy Spirit can be grieved, vexed, opposed, lied to, tempted, blasphemed, and quenched at church on Sunday.

What does the Bible say about deep depression?

“The Lord himself goes before of you and will accompany you; he will never abandon you.” Don't be scared, and don't be disheartened.” The Good News: Despite how lonely depression can make you feel, God is still with you. And he has no intention of leaving.

What does it mean to be spiritually cold?

We've grown accustomed to live in a world where only what can be seen and touched is real. Making it simple to trust what our eyes can see and our hands can feel. Mindfulness and compassion practice can assist us in choosing to view the outside world from a perspective that is beneficial to our spiritual well-being.

Our soul, like our bodies, gets tired and run down and requires rest from time to time. When we stray from a consistent diet of love and gratitude, our spirit, like our bodies, begins to lack the appropriate nutrients that allow energy to flow. Our ability to choose love in difficult situations necessitates a healthy relationship to our soul, just as walking up a flight of stairs necessitates a certain level of fitness.

As someone who has suffered from depression for many years, I've learned that compassion can be the difference between feeling broken and having a spiritual cold. The spiritual symptoms of a fever may manifest as anxiety over paying your bills, rather than the physical symptoms of a fever keeping you awake all night. The physical aches and pains that make a cold so unpleasant are now manifested as feelings of being unloved and inadequate. Nagging, self-deprecating thoughts accompany headaches. It's time to take a break if serving others no longer brings you joy and you're starting to feel like you're doing thankless work. That's the tickling in your throat telling you to be kind with yourself and get some rest, because a negative attitude is just as contagious as a cold.

When our souls are in good shape, we are glad for our friends, social media is enjoyable, we can let go of what no longer serves us, and we can envision our future through a beautiful, optimistic lens. If we ignore our bodies' symptoms of exhaustion and don't relax, our bodies will eventually take control and shut everything down, whether we have the time for a break or not. It is not in our nature to be harsh or callous, just as it is not in our nature to be sick and frail.

As I mentioned in my previous article, just because something doesn't have a name doesn't make it any less real. Love, gratitude, and compassion must be considered as soul medicine. Because you can't package it or buy it over the counter anymore, pharmaceutical corporations aren't interested in disclosing this information to you. Love, on the other hand, can heal; gratitude may relieve worry; and compassion is nature's valium. If you take it every day, morning and night, I assure you'll see a return of your natural delight.

I'm writing this in the hopes that anyone going through a difficult period might change their mindset from fear to love.

As always, please let me know what you think in the comments section.