Why Exactly Do We Need Spirituality?

Matthew, a reader who commented in response to an article about the importance of being wary of spiritual showoffs:

Recently, I was asked what I do to take care of my spiritual needs. I floundered around in my knee-jerk response and justified some of my time alone as a form meditative exercise. Does it make me complete if I think while I run, swim, or ride my bike to the office and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells around me? I'm a really good person. Aren't I? What if I never go to church? I suddenly realized that this was the problem. Why do we need to be spiritual? It's not good or bad. Our cat and dog seem to be able to live without it. There's no doubt in my mind that many of these constructs are positive. Community. Charity. Relaxing. Appreciating Nature…But Do We Need Spirituality To Be Appreciative ?”

Matthew's comment was something I felt deserved an appropriate response. So here is my attempt to answer. Please, let's crowdsource this and see what you all have to say.

I would say that the short answer is no. We do not require church or a meditation practice dedicated to sitting to be happy or appreciative.

Yes, religion and spirituality are built around the virtues of community, charity and taking time out to appreciate nature and relax.

But let's dive a little deeper.

As a larger attempt to answer Matthew's valid question, I have written a full length unpublished manuscript Love Bigger: An Exploration of Spirituality Without Spiritual Bypassing that I will be releasing to those who enroll in the online weekend workshop I will be co-teaching with founder of the International Foundation for Spirituality Dick Schwartz -Spirituality Without Bypassing (you can enroll here if you wish). As a larger attempt to answer Matthew's valid question, I've written a whole full length unpublished manuscript Love Bigger: An Exploration of Spirituality Without Spiritual Bypassing that I'll be releasing to those who enroll in the online weekend workshop I'll be co-teaching with IFS founder Dick Schwartz-Spirituality Without Bypassing (you can enroll here if you wish.) I'll try to answer Matthew's valid question in a longer way. To do so, I wrote a full length unpublished manuscript called Love Bigger: An Exploration of Spirituality Without Spiritual Bypassing. This will be released for those who enroll in the online weekend workshop that I co-teach with Dick Schwartz, founder of the International Foundation for Spirituality (you can register here if you wish).

The Boundaries Handbook and Love Bigger will be available to those who subscribe to my work. Thank you to all who have paid to support my work!

Most people are aware that the answer is no. If we don't already have enough evidence to show that religion has been used as a justification for human brutality, genocide and enslavement, rape and child sacrifices, and many other horrifying human rights violations throughout history, recent priest sex allegations and abuses of authority by yogi-gurus and others spiritual leaders will certainly cause us to question whether or not humans would be better off without spirituality and religion altogether.

Even for those who consider themselves “spiritual, but not religious”, the chaos of the pandemic has revealed just how “unspiritual,” many “spiritual”, New Agers are. We tend to think of those who are interested in religion or spirituality and generalize them as caring about compassion, heart, generosity, equality, charity and morality. The pandemic has revealed the narcissism, self-absorption and immorality of some “spiritualists” and people in natural medicine circles.

The Conspirituality podcast has helped us to dismantle New Age groups, wellness swindlers, and conspiracy-mad yoga practitioners. It revealed a lot mud in the world of New Age, religion, and spirituality.

In that sense, spirituality is not necessary to be a good human being. Religion and spirituality can be used to manipulate otherwise good people, indoctrinating them into oppressive and even immoral thinking and behavior. This is especially true when a belief system implies that certain people are chosen, special, and more important than others. Others are then shunned or scapegoated or treated as lesser than. Any religion or spiritual system that promotes racism, sexism or homophobia, ableism or environmental degradation or any other human rights violation would be better toss on the garbage heap.

Many agnostics, atheists, and good-hearted people are out there. They don't follow any dogma, but they behave and live in a way that is pro-social, and pro-community. Does religion or spirituality make them act in a moral and ethical manner that is beneficial to the community, while also caring for their own heart? No, I do not think so.

What can we gain by engaging in a “spiritual way” with the sacred? It depends on what you mean by spirituality. I would answer Matthew's questions with a “yes”, but only as a way to inquire into what we each find sacred, without dogma or belief.

Beltane, or May Day, is today in Glastonbury. My partner Jeff and I woke up before dawn to attend the Glastonbury Tor festivities, where Morris dancers played their bells, we sang and danced, and the Morris dancers jingled. Jeff and I didn't know anyone in the community, but were welcomed to celebrate the springtime and ancient Celtic fertility rituals. My ancestors were Celtic, and this is the shamanic spirituality or religion that they would have followed. This primal part resonates so strongly with the Beltane celebrations that it has become a holy day for me. I even made the pilgrimage to Glastonbury to celebrate Beltane this year for the first. This pilgrimage is much more sacred and natural to me than going somewhere like Mecca, Jerusalem or Asia. It celebrates Earth and the feminine principle much more than major religions around the world. This is my ancestral way, and it's not the same as other shamanic culture like that of Native Americans, Peru or Bali.

Were we to contribute to our community, do we have to go on a pilgrimage at sunrise to a sacred mountaintop or take part in a dragon process or fire ceremony? No, absolutely not. Did it fill our hearts with energy and inspire us to celebrate the sacred nature rituals of our ancestors in a way that was meaningful? It was a powerful experience that infused us with a sense of belonging to each other and a love for Mother Earth and nature. Hell yeah. Since the beginning of time, different cultures have worked together to alleviate human suffering, celebrate nature, community, the changing of seasons, and the connection between us and the best parts of ourselves.

There are certainly dark sides to spirituality and religion, and we should not ignore or avoid them, but rather expose and reform these for healing and justice. Some might say that because the dark sides of religion and spirituality are so dark, there is nothing we can do to save them. Both Jeff and I were raised fundamentalist. Jeff, who went to Princeton Seminary to find out if anything from his fundamentalist upbringing he learned was worth retaining, left the church when he turned 18. We are both close to concluding that fundamentalism has nothing positive to offer. We are both still seeking and appreciating the sacred.

Some of the people I know, who are good, loving, and kind people, believe that there is no such thing as religion or spirituality.

But I'm not one of those people. I am willing to be proved wrong. I may be naive, or too idealistic. I may change my mind before I leave the earth. At least for now, I believe our lives are improved when we have a connection to the sacred. In community. Even if that's just singing and dancing and laughing and playing and sharing rituals with our fellow human beings to remember what matters most in life – love, connection and relationships, service and meaning, compassion and creativity, expression and beauty to balance the pain of inevitable human suffering.

We can certainly do these things on our own and take care of ourselves spiritually. I think that we can get more out of our spirituality when we commune together, and go beyond our individual ways to connect with the sacred. Jeff and I have been doing this today with a community of Druids practicing in Glastonbury.

That's my two cents. Your opinion would be great! Share your thoughts on whether or not we need a spiritual existence. If you want to dig deeper into this issue, please join me on Zoom for Spirituality Without Bypassing June 10 and 11.

Happy Beltane everyone!

Why do we need spirituality? The post Why Do We Need Spirituality?

Frequently Asked Questions

What does complementary medicine mean?

Complementary Medicine encompasses any medical treatment that adds to the mainline. It covers therapies such as acupuncture.

Complementary medicine is not meant to be used in place of conventional medicine, but instead as a complement. They are sometimes called “alternative”, and “integrative”, as they combine Western science methods with other healing approaches.

What are some of the benefits of complementary or alternative medicine?

People who feel they do not receive enough help from allopathic medicine may use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These include homeopathy, herbal medicine, massage therapy and homeopathy. Traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback, spiritual healing, chiropractic care, homeopathy, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care and other therapies. CAM practitioners often use treatments that are considered “alternative” because they do not fit into conventional medicine's system of diagnosis and treatment. Many CAM therapies incorporate elements from conventional medicine. Some forms, such as acupuncture with needles, involve heat and moxibustion.

Some CAM therapies may be helpful for anxiety, pain relief, stress management or relaxation. They may also improve your general sense of well-being and reduce fatigue. Some CAM therapies target specific conditions, such fibromyalgia. Others CAM therapies could be simply enjoyable.

Although there is no one definition of CAM, most definitions include at minimum one of these:

An holistic view that considers body, mind and environment.
The belief in mind-body interaction and influence
The belief that illness can be caused by an imbalance in the environment or between the individual and his/her environment
It is important to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Combination between Eastern philosophy and Western science
Treatment methods that integrate mind, body, and spirit
Natural products are better than synthetic chemicals
A healing touch
Mindfulness
Meditation
Acupuncture
Yoga
Herbal remedies
Homeopathy
Chiropractic care
Massage therapy
Hypnotherapy
Spiritual healing
Biofeedback
Nutritional counseling
Energy healing

In addition to its potential benefits, there are risks associated with certain CAM therapies. If they are not used correctly, some therapies may cause death or serious harm. Some therapies can have side effects that need to be considered in order to maximize their potential benefits. Discuss these concerns with your doctor before you decide to use any CAM.

What are the five domains of integrative medical care?

Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas cover all aspects of health care including spiritual, physical, and environmental well being.

Integrative medicine offers a comprehensive approach for addressing your overall health, well-being, and treatment of diseases. It covers both traditional medical treatments and alternative therapies like acupuncture, yoga and meditation, as well nutritional counseling and biofeedback.

Why is holistic medicine better?

Holistic healthcare focuses on the whole person and not just individual symptoms. This means looking at how someone feels, what they eat, where they live, how much stress they are under etc…

Holistic medicine is holistic and considers all aspects a patient's lives. It treats them all as one complete package. While it sounds simple, it can be very challenging to implement in practice because doctors often focus on the patient's physical health.

What is a holistic medicine doctor?

Holistic medicine doctors are those who treat patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.

They are not interested in treating symptoms but rather a disease. The patient should feel better after treatment.

The doctor should not be limited to treating the disease. He or she must also work with patients to prevent future complications.

The term “holistic” means considering all aspects of a person's life.

How safe is holistic medicine?

Holistic medicines are safe as they aren't harmful drugs, but natural remedies that have been used for centuries by people who use them.

They have been shown to cure many illnesses, such as arthritis, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, infertility, etc.

Millions of people all over the globe are using holistic medicine to treat various types of illnesses. These include homeopathy and acupuncture as well as chiropractic care, massage therapy, homeopathy, herbal treatments, biofeedback, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, nutrition counseling, physical exercise, and other complementary therapies. These therapies target the whole person and not just the symptoms.

Statistics

According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)

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What are the 4 types of complementary or alternative medicine?

The four main categories of CAM are mind-body medicine, natural products, manipulative therapies, and energy healing. Mind-body medicine covers yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki, as well as chiropractic care, homeopathy (naturopathy), biofeedback, hypnosis and hypnosis. Natural products include herbs vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative treatments include physical manipulations, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathic treatment. Prayer and visualization are some of the techniques used for energy healing.

CAM refers to a variety of health practices that are not in line with Western medical models. These practices can be supported by scientific evidence, or they may involve surgery. They also vary in terms of the conditions they treat. Some CAM doctors also provide diagnostic testing (e.g. Blood tests) and can prescribe medication. Others may do neither.

There are several subcategories to each category that go beyond the four primary categories. For example, within mind-body medicine, there are relaxation techniques, mindfulness training, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, yoga, qigong, Tai chi, deep breathing exercises, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, biofeedback, and visualization. Natural products include nutritional supplement, botanical medicines and homeopathic remedies. Manual, movement or traction can be used to manipulate the body. Spiritual healing can be done through prayer or faith healing.

Many CAM treatments treat symptoms but do not address the root cause. However, CAM may provide relief for some chronic diseases. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many different reasons people use the CAM.

To improve their overall well-being.
To manage a particular condition.
To relieve pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

Because it gives them more control than traditional medicine, some people choose CAM. They may believe it has fewer side effects. Others choose CAM to avoid taking prescription medications. Others prefer to avoid taking pharmaceuticals whenever possible. Others still seek out CAM, even though they've had bad experiences in conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM claim they want to be confident about what they're doing before trying out new techniques. Many CAM users have questions about safety and effectiveness. Others rely on the word of mouth among family and friends.

Although CAM is often viewed negatively by society, most users report positive feelings toward CAM. People who use CAM are happier and healthier than those who don’t. This is true regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, income, education level, occupation, insurance status, or other factors.

The majority of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. 95% or more of adult Americans have used some type of CAM in their lives. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health was able to estimate that around 40 million people visited CAM practitioners in 2010 alone.

According to the NCCIH estimate, 10% of the U.S. Population uses chiropractors.

2013 was a year that the American Medical Association (AMA) reaffirmed its support of integrative medicine. It acknowledged that integrative medicine should be integrated into the clinical practice of physicians to best meet the needs and expectations of patients.

In 2007, the Institute of Medicine published a landmark report called “Relaxing Constraints: Improving Access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” The report concluded that “there is no credible evidence that any specific CAM intervention is effective for preventing, treating, or curing cancer.”

CAM continues to gain popularity despite this finding. The number of CAM practitioners grew by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

A recent study revealed that almost half of respondents use CAM as partof their primary healthcare regime.

CAM therapies can include natural products, mind/body practices, manipulative methods, energy healing techniques, exercise, dietary supplementation, and other approaches.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily to relieve pain, but they also have many other benefits like relaxation, improved mood and better sleep.

Acupuncture can be used to relieve back pain, anxiety, depression, increase immune function, promote weight loss, and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments have roots in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for example, was developed 5,000 years ago. It has been used in China since ancient times.

TCM, although it gained prominence in the late 1800s, is still an integral part of health care.

TCM is used for treatment by more than 70% of Americans today.

Yoga is another popular CAM treatment. Yoga was first developed in India around 5000 B.C. It is now accepted all over the world.

Yoga has been gaining popularity with the general population because it provides many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can ease stress, improve flexibility and increase strength.

Although limited scientific research has been done, yoga may have beneficial effects on sleep33.

Other CAM therapies, such as meditation, homeopathy, aromatherapy, are also becoming more mainstream.

Herbal medicine is one the most commonly used types of CAM.

Herbal medicines may include herbs and spices, flowers, seeds or fruits, bark, leaves or roots, as well stems.

They are often considered safer alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs and are widely used by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society 45% of adults with cancer used alternative medicine during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

A recent study found that 51% of patients with cancer used at least one type or another of CAM.

Only 8% of these people discussed the use of this medication with their doctors.

This is a serious problem with healthcare delivery because there is not enough communication between conventional medical practitioners and CAM users.

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