Spirituality: Finding

Higher Meaning
Nova Mateo-Cabias
How do you want to
live your life?
 High increase
of stress-
Adolescents related issues
are the
loneliest
population
Why are you here?

Who are you?

when we find our life
meaningless, we
become hopeless
We have become goal-driven people
• Finish schooling
• Get a job
• Get a car
• Get a house
• Get married
• Have kids
Our crisis is not
material – it is
existential. IT IS
SPIRITUAL
What is
spirituality?
 Spirituality
the search for meaning through the
inner journey which is mediated
through relationships - sometimes
with each other, - sometimes with
nature and - sometimes with God.
(Harriet, 2012)
 Spirituality
Can play a significant role
in a person’s mental health
and overall well-being
Impact of
Spirituality
 Overall, spirituality
can
Be an important aspect of mental
health and can help people maintain
a sense of balance and well-being in
their lives
Spirituality matters!
It matters because Mental
health problems are first and
foremost meaningful, unique,
and deeply personal
experiences
Spirituality vs
Religion
• gives people something to believe
in
Benefits of
• provides a sense of structure and religion
typically offers a group of people
to connect with over similar
beliefs.
• These facets can have a
significant positive impact on
mental health — research
suggests that religiosity reduces
suicide rates, alcoholism and
drug use
Spiritual abuse is a
form of abuse that BEWARE!
involves the misuse of
religious beliefs,
and/or customs to
•Control
•Manipulate
•Harm others
 BEWARE!
Using religious
teachings/dogmas/practi
ces to control people’s
thoughts, behaviors, and
decisions
 Isolating people from their BEWARE!
friends and family
Manipulating or deceiving
people
Using religious authority to
silence or punish those who
question the abuser’s actions
*To identify is turning people
BEWARE!
against with a religious ideology,
and call it the only truth and way,
leads to tremendously negative
consequences - hatred, racism, and
all kinds of violence. Just think of
how many wars have been carried
out throughout history in the name
of God and religion.
 Spiritual abuse can be
emotionally and
psychologically damaging to
mental health and well-being
• We are not focused
with the
achievement of the
goal but more of
becoming a
spiritually healthy
person
• Being open-minded;
non-judgmental
• Compassionate
• Understanding
• Empathic
To determine the spiritual well-being, ask these
questions:
•Do my inherent values guide my decisions and
actions?
•Do I have a well-defined sense of purpose?
•Do I feel in harmony and balance with the world
around me?
•Am I accepting of the views of others?
•Do I make time for relaxation and rejuvenation in
my day?
•Do I make time for meditation and/or prayer?
How can spirituality
help find purpose in
life?
 Self-journey that
requires consistency,
self-love, and self-
care.
Identify who you want to
become.
Be guided by your own
values and what
resonates in you.
 Let us do the
mindfulness exercise
 References:
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Find the magic and fun in presenting

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for confetti, D for a drumroll, and O for
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and insdtudonal requirements. The padents/pardcipants provided their wrinen informed consent to pardcipate in
this study.
T h a n k Y ou !
Do you have any questions for
me before I go?