Was trying to relay in a far more easily digestible fashion. The great psychiatrist Carl Jung called this a ‘low level thirst for wholeness – for union with God’. In our addictions, we tried to quench our soul-thirst with fleeting pleasures. The pursuit of them dominated our lives, destroyed relationships, and caused greater desperation than we ever thought possible. We became selfish and self-seeking, ever thirsting for more, and this lust warped us on every level.
Contact Your First Step’s National Hotline
Recognizing this mental obsession as a symptom of spiritual malady is important for addressing the root cause of addiction. By focusing on spiritual healing, we can begin to alleviate this mental compulsion and find peace. The 12 Steps of AA encourage improving one’s conscious contact with a higher power, specifically focusing on prayer and meditation in Step 11.
- By addressing the spiritual disconnection at the root of our addiction, we can begin to heal and find lasting sobriety.
- And unless this malady is recognized, and a course of action (the Twelve Steps) is taken to enable God to remove it, the root of our alcoholic illness can lie dormant and burn us when we least expect it.
- If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the YourFirstStep.org hotline is a confidential and convenient solution.
- By recognizing and confronting this spiritual disease, we can begin to heal and reclaim our lives from the grip of addiction.
The Full Spectrum of Spirituality
This spiritual malady explained is the type ofspiritually maladapted behaviorthat we typically exhibit in active alcoholism. When not treating the spiritual aspect of the disease those behaviors are the types of things that will start to make life unmanageable once again. Once we are aware of these feelings, we can begin the real work on ourselves. It is not easy to do so but recognizing this aspect of alcoholism forces us to take an honest look in the mirror at our behaviors and attitudes toward life and other people.
- Instead of seeing spirituality as a means to correct a “flawed” character, it can be viewed as a tool to enrich life and recovery.
- Spiritual illnesses weaken the soul and are mostly experienced by Unbelievers.
- Following this program will cause them to feel less alone or closed off from the messages of life, thus relieving them from the burden of isolation.
- Maintaining close relationships with AA sponsors and community-based support groups tailored to spiritual recovery can help avoid distractions and reinforce the recovery process.
What is Spiritual Healing?
You may need to dissociate from things you would otherwise enjoy. According to it, spiritual illness can be perceived as the unsoundness of our spirit caused by our sins. The fact is, we have alcoholism a spiritual problem, and the only cure is God.
Thoughts of Recovery – No.17 – The Spiritual Malady – Step 1
It can manifest itself as anxiety, anger, or depression. Deep-rooted inner conflicts resulting in agitation, discontentment, and restlessness can cause spiritual malady. Traditional healers like shamans and soul healers can be called upon to cure spiritual diseases as natural home remedies fail to treat these problems. Spiritual illnesses can prevent you from living happily and normally. It can affect your daily life and result in a much bigger problem when neglected. To recognize and to admit my weaknesses is the beginning of good spiritual health.