Today's tumultuous economy, which has left so many people without a job, without a home and essentially without hope, has also robbed countless souls of spiritual peace. This peace that comes from spiritual balance in our lives is fundamental for surviving the economic hardships that befall us.
Stress is undoubtedly the first offspring of economic hardship. We are all aware of the many negative impacts stress can have on our physical well-being. Heart disease, stroke, and obesity which in turn lead to countless other health risks, all have a deteriorating effect on our bodies. Likewise spiritual unrest, which is also brought on by stress, can lead to the deteriorating of our spirits. It is when our spirit is defeated that we begin to feel hopelessness. This hopeless feeling is brought on by the sibling of stress- depression.
When spiritual peace is absent in our lives we start to worry more. It becomes more difficult for us to stay focused on our work, our goals, our relationships- even our spirituality. We lack the spiritual balance needed to sustain us during difficult economic times. Without a sense of spiritual peace it becomes nearly impossible to focus on the things we need to accomplish and the decisions we need to make in order to survive the faltering economy. It is a sound mind, which is the result of spiritual balance, that will preserve us through economic turmoil.
Regaining spiritual peace begins with isolating our minds and spirits from the realm of the negative by learning to accept circumstances that are beyond our control, and by having the spiritual balance to make sound decisions which will in turn move us towards positive circumstances. This spiritual isolation, or sanctuary, is achieved through various methods including meditation, quiet reflection, and prayer. It is a spiritual cleansing that needs to be performed daily in order to achieve and maintain spiritual peace. In addition to this spiritual cleansing, we need to look at circumstances that drain our spiritual energy and thereby rob us of spiritual peace.
Meditation can take several forms depending on individual spirituality and pscychic ability, but essentially it is a quieting of the mind and body which allows the spirit to be rejuvenated. Proper meditation should seek to bring the mind in harmony with the body, thereby enabling one to make clearer decisions while remaining at peace with elements beyond their control. Meditation can be done in a private or group setting in which the collective energy and psychic abilities of individuals are focused toward a common state of spiritual peace.
Quiet reflection is simply taking the time each day to mentally prioritize the things in your life which are important to you and thereby identify those things that you tend to dwell on which are contributing to your spiritual unrest. A time of reflection will enable you to identify trends in your life which at one point or another either brought you spiritual peace or unrest. By reflecting on your past and the choices you have made, you will be able to see any negative circumstances and decisions that are repetitive. Quiet reflection can be coupled with physical exercise which is a known stress reliever. By taking a good brisk walk each day, preferably in a setting which is tranquil such as a park or even along the shore or beach, you are affording your mind positive stimulation. This positive stimulation will help you focus your thoughts and clear your mind which is essential in regaining spiritual peace.
During times of economic stress and uncertainty we must draw closer to the core of our spiritual beliefs. Whatever our religion or spiritual understanding of "higher power", we must allow ourselves to become dependent upon the greater good of what is intended for our lives. By meditating on scripture, immersing ourselves in prayer and even engaging in certain religious rituals which can help expand our psychic abilities, we are surrendering ourselves to the will of God- whatever we see God to be. By entrusting our future to the will of God, we are acknowledging that we are not in control of our destiny and only a higher power can guide us out of our present circumstance. Coming to the conclusion that we need divine intervention in our lives is the first step in releasing ourselves from our circumstances and allowing the spiritual healing that we need to bring about the spiritual balance we seek.
It is not just our circumstances that bring us down. Beware of spiritual vampires. The negative aspects of a faltering economy can drain us of peace, but so can the negative opinions and perspectives of the people around us. When we lack spiritual peace and balance in our lives we become susceptible to the negative vibes that surround us. All too often these vibes come in the form of other people's opinions of us and our circumstances. Negativity breeds negativity. Oftentimes there are individuals in our lives, either family, friends or co-workers who continuously bring us down. Either they do not share the same beliefs as we do, or they just view life in a generally pessimistic manner. Regardless, this negative energy will have an affect on our spiritual peace. Difficult decisions must be made about these associations. While it may be difficult to distance ourselves from a family member, we may need to consider addressing the matter with them by asking them to be more understanding of the volatile emotions that are brought on by their negativity. Likewise, friends who tend to bring us down need to be evaluated for their impact on our spiritual peace, and our time spent with them may need to be adjusted or in some circumstances- eliminated. In turn, by surrounding ourselves with positive, like-minded people we are inviting spiritual peace and harmony into our lives.
Whatever your level of spirituality or psychic ability, know that you are above the present circumstances of the physical realm. Spiritual peace and balance can be achieved in spite of the spiritually oppressive world of today's economy.