Dealing with Spiritual Emptiness

Various circumstances can become a severe wound to our heart and spirit over time, especially if we’re unable to treat it effectively. For a long time, we may feel as though we’re wandering around aimlessly – with no sense of direction or purpose and no real sense of connection to those around us. We seek out substances because the distractions feel good – we’re not focusing on the pain, and instead we’re focusing on the way the substances make us feel.

Previous studies have found that spiritual emptiness is often there when people battle addiction and even mental illness. When we’re spiritually empty, we have a difficult time understanding our role in the grand scheme of life; put simply, we’re focused on what we don’t have, what we’re missing out on, rather than finding ways to breathe in positivity, love, acceptance, and faith. Addiction can negatively affect the mind, body, and spirit, so it’s crucial that we take the time to explore deep within ourselves when situations like this arise.

Some philosophers would argue that spiritual emptiness is based on a “lack of love” – but it’s not from others. Rather than needing more love from other people, those who experience spiritual emptiness tend to struggle with a lack of self-love – which can be built through a strengthened sense of spirituality. Once we’re into a negative space without self-love, we begin embarking down a challenging road of depression, isolation, self-loathing and even anger. With spirituality in our lives, we become much more open to ourselves and others by acknowledging that we have more to offer to this world than we realize.

Opening Yourself to Healing

 Part of healing is changing one’s perspective of themselves and what they’ll allow to help them grow and heal. This could include viewing oneself as putting an open hand out, ready to receive help – rather than maintaining a closed posture with a clenched fist, as so many of us do.

 They say that two core aspects of spirituality are divine love and service to others. 12-Step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), help individuals strengthen their sense of spirituality by providing them with a chance to open their hearts and experience love – especially towards themselves through the strengthened connection of a Higher Power. In previous years, researchers have explored just how powerful the spiritual connection with God or another Higher Power can be – and they’ve found that:

·    Experiencing divine love greatly promotes participation in recovery

·    Helping others can not only help prevent relapse but can strengthen a person’s sense of recovery overall

Defining Spirituality

 Of course, there are many other ways that spirituality can be defined as well as many ways it can improve your life. Spirituality is truly about getting to know how you want to feel deep within your soul, and what you can do in this life to help get you there. Each person may have a different understanding of spirituality, but thankfully there are so many different types of activities that can promote strengthened spirituality such as: connecting with others, reading meaningful books, listening to positive music, engaging in art activities, trying new things, cooking, practicing self-care, attending support groups, journaling and others. For some people, a Higher Power could even take on a different meaning such as:

·    A source of power greater than the individual

·    A guide through life

·    Another form of energy

·    A connection and faith in a universal God

·    Emotion or love

Once those in recovery are able to identify what their beliefs are and what type of spiritual path they’d like to walk through life, they’re able to experience so many incredible benefits:

·    They typically find that it’s easier to understand and accept the path of addiction they’d previously been on

·    A greater hope in recovery becomes possible

·    A more open mind can be held for new opportunities and discoveries

·    It provides them with a sense of hope and overall replenishment

Spirituality combats emptiness by filling us with purpose, meaning, love and light. 12-Step programs can give us a sense of connection to others who are also on this journey and can help us to open our mind, body, and spirit to greater transformation.

The Bridge NYC is a boutique luxury sober living facility for men seeking a concierge experience to balance outpatient programs, school, or work-life resulting in a sustainable, lasting recovery. Call  (646) 928 0085 today for more information about admissions or The Clean Fun Network.