Spirituality in all its forms offers comfort to those who care about someone suffering mental illness

I recall two times in my life when I truly felt at peace and very serene. One was when I particiapted as a high school student in my church's 3 day seminar. My priest and father had nominated me to attend even though I was only one of two students among 150 adults! The other time I felt a similar peace and serenity was after participating in a three month intensive graduate counseling seminar with four other interns and the teacher.

What I remember most about these two experiences was that I let go of who I thought I was and who others expected me to be and simple became another human being struggling with life.... no more, no less. When I came through both experiences I felt a certain calm and serenity that I had hoped would last forever. Turns out, like everything else in this life, such great feelings require work and practice.

I have continued to find alternative ways to bring more calm and serenity into my life... to re-create the wonderful experiences I had. Some of the approaches I've been drawn to include : yoga, meditation tapes, soothing piano music, Reikki as well as simplifying my life and a possible course in "Sufficiency" which leads people to understand that what you have is "enough" and how to approach life from a point of having enough as opposed to wanting more, more, and more. I know, I felt like all these things were slightly foreign to me but having experienced all but one, I can report a wonderful step toward wellness. Afterall, a little solitute, silence and taking pleasure in simple things can move us toward wellness over time. So don't be afraid, try something new .

One of the ways I help people take back their life and begin simplification is to set good boundaries. You can download my free audio program here. 7 weekly audios of how to change your life with boundaries will be delivered to your email "in" box.

Comments

[Zoe Zuniga]

Yes Mary! The missing element is what we are focusing on is the body and disease when really it is the spirit and thought forms that must change to produce health. In this culture we put the physical before the spiritual and it never ever works. People stay sick because they are treated like machines instead of human beings.