The Spiritual Malady: A Hole in the Soul Sobriety Guides
In sobriety, it is so important to maintain consciouscontact with a higher powerand count our blessings. We must live our lives selflessly and show our gratitude to a higher power for the lives that we live and the opportunity to have a second chance at life. For some, it may manifest as a feeling of being disconnected from others or as a sense of emptiness. The thoughts we have as alcoholics are often insidious in such a way that we can’t tell what is true or false.The AA Big Booktalks about this delusion we develop in active addiction. Thoughts like we can eventually manage our lives while in active addiction. According to studies conducted in 2017 by Harvard Health Publishing, among more than 200 adults surveyed who attended life counseling sessions for six months, there was overall improvement over time.
Filling the Hole: Fixing the Spiritual Malady
It is a call to address not just the physical and mental aspects of addiction but the spiritual disconnection that lies at its core. By recognizing and confronting this spiritual disease, we can begin to heal and reclaim our lives from the grip of addiction. When spiritual malady is overcome, a sense of wholeness and well-being can be restored. In the lives of many AA members, including an alcoholic’s life, the spiritual malady appears as a profound void—an emptiness we often try to fill with alcohol and other external things. This emptiness gives rise to feelings of resentment and discontent, which in turn aggravates our spiritual sickness.
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Individuals may also experience a lack of emotional balance and inner turmoil. History has shown that numerous individuals who experienced spiritual malady were able to overcome it. However, this can be a slow and challenging process that many people never embark on. A spiritual connection with someone can help make the journey to overcome the malady more comfortable and facilitate the healing process. To overcome spiritual malady, one must first identify the source of their malaise and work towards resolving it with the support of a community or individual. This requires a willingness to reflect on one’s thoughts and behaviors, and a commitment to taking action towards positive change.
Whether it’s through therapy, support groups, or connecting with like-minded individuals, there are resources available to guide you on your path towards inner peace. Indifference towards spirituality, isolation, and detachment from self and others are some of the symptoms of disconnection. When we feel disconnected, it can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate through life. Grasping this concept allows us to truly understand the necessity of spiritual healing in our recovery journey. Addressing a spiritual malady is important because it can negatively affect all aspects of one’s life, including relationships, work, and overall well-being. Resolving a spiritual malady can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment, joy, and purpose in life.
Final Thoughts on Living the Spiritual Life and Recovery
The Big Book of AA identifies these difficulties, or “bedevilments,” as clear indicators of spiritual malady. The sense of loneliness and isolation that comes with spiritual disconnection can exacerbate these challenges, making it even harder for us to maintain healthy relationships and find true solace. Thankfully, the “spiritual malady” is no longer a “missing piece” of Step One for me.
What is spiritual malady in Alcoholics Anonymous?
- While an addict’s spiritual malady triggers a compulsive need to use drugs, other people’s spiritual conflicts may take the form of a gambling problem, anxiety, depression, or eating disorder.
- It also helps to establish meaningful connections with others, and fosters a sense of compassion, empathy, and spiritual growth.
- By fostering empathy and meaningful connections, we can break free from the isolation and find a path to recovery.
- Studies have shown that those who give of themselves for the betterment of others tend to experience increased happiness and fulfillment in their own lives.
The great psychiatrist Carl Jung called this a ‘low level thirst for wholeness – for union with God’. In our addictions, we tried to quench our soul-thirst with fleeting pleasures. The pursuit of them dominated our lives, destroyed relationships, and caused greater desperation than we ever thought possible. We became selfish and self-seeking, ever thirsting for more, and this lust warped us on every level. But we were never satisfied, because but the living presence of God can quench our parched souls. My troubles are of my own making and arise out my living a life run on self-will.
- Would you really heal by pretending that sore wasn’t yours or by making it someone else’s responsibility to look after?
- This connection with a power greater than ourselves is not necessarily religious but is about finding a profound spiritual grounding.
- A person would be wise to follow your healing methods and mindset.
- Following this program will cause them to feel less alone or closed off from the messages of life, thus relieving them from the burden of isolation.
- Spiritual healing occurs as we begin to consciously reconnect with our essential being – the wise, loving, powerful, creative entity that we are at our core.
- Developing and maintaining spiritual wellness involves fostering a connection to a higher power or greater sense of purpose.
How does spiritual malady affect physical health?
I’ve been guilty of using spiritual healing as a way to try and escape my suffering before. True spiritual healing is about facing, acknowledging, exploring, and integrating what we are going through. When spiritual healing is used as a way to avoid, deny, suppress, and disown our Sober Houses Rules That You Should Follow issues through “spiritualized resistance” we are abusing its potential. And when spiritual healing is used as a dangling carrot by unethical and unwise spiritual teachers, then it is being desecrated. There’s a reason why no one talks about the dark side of spiritual healing. Click on any of the above links to get further guidance if you’d like a place to start with your spiritual healing.
Conversely, gardening is one way to bring nature closer to home. Planting flowers or vegetables and watching them grow can bring a sense of purposefulness while reminding you of the cycles of life that exist within nature. It is important to understand the unique and significant things that differentiate a spiritual malady from other forms of illness.
On the other hand, DBT equips people to regulate their emotions by learning mindfulness practices https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ along with communication skills that help navigate interpersonal relationships. Relinquishing control to a higher power is a fundamental step in overcoming addiction. In the 12-Step Program, this surrender is crucial for acknowledging our inability to overcome addiction on our own. By surrendering our ego and self-will, we open ourselves to the guidance and support needed to navigate the recovery journey.
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It’s important to be educated and use spiritual discernment here. Yes, something is certainly wrong, but it’s not that the soul is broken (which is impossible from an objective standpoint), it’s that they’ve lost touch with their soul. Depending on your answers, you’ll be able to determine what type of spiritual healing modality you need. For instance, if you suffer from chronic pain (for which no other methods work) and also depression, you would need physical and mental healing – ideally, some kind of holistic healer would benefit you the most.
What is a Spiritual Malady?
Sustaining a conscious connection with a higher power through prayer and meditation is crucial for spiritual development and recovery. Engaging in regular prayer can deepen our connection with a higher power, providing a sense of peace and guidance. This daily practice helps stabilize and clarify our lives, significantly reducing the obsession with substances and offering a sense of freedom. The journey of recovery is deeply personal, and the role of a higher power can vary for each individual. Whether it involves prayer, meditation, or simply a belief in something greater, maintaining conscious contact with this higher power is essential for fostering spiritual growth and overcoming addiction. The concept of spiritual disease is deeply embedded in the philosophy of AA.
Life’s challenges are inevitable, and they will surely come our way, but when we address spiritual malady, we develop emotional and mental resilience, which helps us navigate the tough times with ease. Spiritual malady, a condition that disrupts the balance of inner peace and calms one’s spiritual state, is caused by various factors. Our emotional, mental, or physical health, often impacted by familial, societal, or cultural factors, can contribute to this condition.