By Mary O’KEEFE

As CVW begins its month long look at living a more healthful lifestyle, we wanted to start with an area of health care that is often neglected – spiritual health.

“Spiritual health is the wholeness of a person, of their relationship in the world,” said Father Guy Leemhuis of St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church.

Although many have considered how COVID-19 isolation affected their overall health, Leemhuis suggested looking beyond the pandemic.

“COVID is not the end of all dramatic [issues] for many people,” he said. “People [continue to] deal with all kinds of trauma.”

He added that being spiritually healthy can be grounding.

“Daily spiritual practices are life-enhancing,” said Rev. Beverly Craig of the Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta. “These include prayer and meditation and reading inspiring books and articles. Although many individuals do not attend church, they believe in God, and live what many would consider ‘godly lives.’

“Throughout the day, most of us encounter situations that call for prayer. Many prayer requests are sent to our prayer team. Some believe that prayer is just to heal the body; however, in my faith, we pray for safe travel, finances, relationships and for our God-given creativity to be expressed.”

Leemhuis said that spiritual health is a way for people to feel connected to themselves and to their community. It is a way to feel as though they are part of something bigger.

“Often we neglect our spiritual health,” he added.

He said it is important to the spiritual well-being of people to add prayer or mediation to their life and to find a way to take themselves out of the day-to-day drama and stress of the world.

“I’ve had many students who claim they cannot meditate. Meditation doesn’t have to be sitting in silence. There are many varieties of meditation, including walking, gardening and contemplating spiritual ideas such as love and compassion,” Craig said. “Often when negative circumstances happen to us or dear ones I suggest turning to prayer. Most faiths tell us to ‘Let Go & Let God.’ I’ve had, many times in my life, totally turned a situation over to God – that doesn’t mean I stop praying.”

Added Leemhuis, “In the old days they used to say ‘stop and smell the roses.’ [That gives us] a time to commune with God – going outside whether to the beach or mountains.”

Just getting outside and listening to the quiet sounds of nature is a “wonderful opportunity to listen to the voice of God,” he said.

This quiet time set aside for oneself does not have to be of any particular length of time; it can be from a few minutes to a few hours.

Spiritual health can also be a found in a place like church.

“I think that in most faith traditions, including Christianity, there is an importance placed on community. We are a social people; we were created to be in community with each other,” Leemhuis said. “Despite what your faith is, going to church, temple or gathering in spaces where others are focused on the positive of creation, mindfulness and gratitude [is important].”

There have been studies that indicate spiritual health is linked to physical health.

“One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Deepak Chopra, MD, writes that there are five health benefits from incorporating spiritual practices into one’s life: stronger immune system, lower risk of depression, stress reduction, lower blood pressure and better sleep. He also emphasized that physical health and spiritual health are intertwined. Louise Hay wrote a book, ‘You Can Heal Your Life,’ that outlines how physical conditions affect our bodies,” Craig added. “Physical health practices, including diet and exercise, are necessary as well. For many years I didn’t exercise until one of my sisters ‘shamed’ me into going to a local women’s gym. That was many years ago, and I’m still exercising for a half hour six days a week.

“As I reflect on my decision to begin exercise, I have to say I didn’t like it at all – now it’s just a part of my routine. In this New Year 2023, I encourage our readers to take inventory of their lives. Be grateful for what you have and ask for divine guidance moving forward. One of my favorite prayers is asking for divine right action that brings in the power of God in ways we cannot imagine.”

Leemhuis added that spiritual health can be exercised in many ways from praying to volunteering to help others – all with a foundation of love.

“Justice advocacy is love. Caring for those less fortunate with mercy and compassion is another act of love,” he said. “Love is in all aspects.”