SEXUAL ISSUES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE FORUM ARCHIVE
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Re: Spiritual Growth?
Jane · 07/27/00 at 2:05 ET
Can I write about this from the point of view of a meditator and healer? I also find the term confusing, and ironic, in relationship to psychotherapy. First there's religion, which is dogmatic, a set of rules and beliefs, which may or may not contain spirit. Second, there's spirit, which from my point of view (and experience) is really a mystical experience. There is a power in spiritual experience that can only be understood through experience. I know that that sounds like witch craft, but it's true. I think that religion can act as strong cogintive therapy, although I'm not an expert on different therapy models. It can offer a reason for the pain, God's will. It can offer a way in which to deal with pain, giving the responsibilty to God. Or, it can become an alternative way of life, which might be healthier than the current way of being, such as living in the moment. All can be effective treatment for psychological problems, and some would argue that the problems are actually problems of the soul. On the other hand, from my experience as a meditator, sprititual growth is different from from that of religious experience. It is much harder to describe. Again, it's mystical. It has the power to heal, change points of view, sooth, etc. in ways that cannot be explained. It's not rational. It just happens.
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