spiritual dysfunction

#022  There are a lot of dark, negative, scary, and disgusting things to navigate through in this life.  In almost every spiritual culture, I have found people who refuse to look at, or even acknowledge the darkness in the world and in themselves. This form of positivity and selective attention can lead to serious deficits in your health.

Invitation to Mastery
A Mind map is a powerful and creative way to approach building awareness around certain situations and the feelings they produce.  For the next four days, create a mind map in your journal around each one of these commonly avoided and suppressed feelings.

• Anger
• Fear
• Guilt
• Shame

Check out the blog: Spiritual Disfunction

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#021 Do you tell yourself that you’re a good person because you're following the beliefs of a certain spiritual system? Do you engage in “othering” people who do not adhere to the same rules and beliefs? Do you look down on others because their lifestyle contradicts the tenants of your beliefs? We explore paths to healing in this episode. 

Invitation to Mastery
Use the following journal prompts to explore your own relationship with spiritual elitism.

• When I judge others because _____________ I feel _____________.  This is because… I can take responsibility for this by…
• I use my belief in ____________ to feel better about judging other people because...
• I engage in entitled righteousness when…

Check out the blog: Spiritual Disfunction

Download your free guide to setting meaningful intentions that can change your life.

#020 Have you ever said any of these platitudes to anyone?

• “It is what is” 
• “It takes what it takes” 
• “Everything happens for a reason”
• "Always keep it positive"
• “Thoughts and prayers”

The intent of the platitudes above are meant to give someone comfort.  However, the listener often feels dismissed and not seen or heard.  Many times these words are spoken to give the speaker, not the listener comfort.
When we unconsciously use certain strategies to feel better about an uncomfortable situation or problem it can lead to bigger issues down the road because the problem remains unresolved.  This episode explores these issues and more.

Invitation to Mastery
How do you use certain beliefs or ideas to suppress or mask emotional pain and discomfort? Do you use the constructs of your spiritual beliefs to justify behaviors that are actually causing you or someone else harm? Use the one or more of the following journal prompts to take stock of your spiritual coping strategies.

• It makes me feel uncomfortable when people tell me things that are hard to hear so I use the following strategies to try and make them (and me) feel better. (list all that apply).
• I’m afraid of - (finish this sentence and write for 10-15 minutes about it)
• How do I use my spiritual beliefs to justify other peoples poor treatment of me (for example “turn the other cheek”  or “forgive and forget”?

Check out the blog: Spiritual Disfunction: Pacifying and Justifying

Download your free guide to setting meaningful intentions that can change your life.