Health of the Human Spirit: Spiritual Dimensions for Personal Health

by Seaward, Brian Luke

• ISBN13: 9780205319350
• ISBN10: 0205319351
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings

Summary

Health of the Human Spirit is a dynamic synthesis of ageless wisdom on the topic of human spirituality, the cornerstone of the wellness paradigm. Beginning by addressing the need to acknowledge spiritual well-being as a construct of health and well-being, the book then revisits the wellness paradigm of mind-body-spirit-emotions and continues to explore the roadblocks and distractions on the spiritual path providing behavioral suggestions to enhance the health of the human spirit. Seaward maintains his reputation for presenting material in an approachable, user-friendly manner that engages the reader and carefully distinguishes between spirituality and religion. For anyone interested in spiritual health.

Table of Contents

Foreword: A Conversation with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross	xiii
Introduction	xv
Desiderata	xx
The Call to Spirit	1	(16)
The World in Crisis	2	(3)
A Spiritual Hunger?	5	(1)
A Turning Point in Consciousness	6	(1)
An Unhealthy Spirit?	7	(1)
I Don't Believe It!	8	(1)
The Winds of Change Are the Winds of Grace	8	(1)
Stress and Spirituality: Partners in the Dance of Life	9	(1)
Of Spirit and Character	10	(1)
Profiles of Human Spirituality	11	(2)
Keeping an Open Mind	13	(1)
Summary	14	(1)
Terms and Concepts	14	(1)
Soul-Searching Exercises	14	(1)
Got the Spirit? Let's Hear It!	14	(1)
References and Resources	15	(2)
The Wellness Paradigm Revisited	17	(12)
A Closer Look at the Wellness Paradigm	18	(3)
Wellness in the Limelight and the Life Cycle	21	(1)
Human Spirituality: The Neglected Component of Well-Being	22	(1)
The Legacy of Descartes: Division and Separation	23	(1)
New Common Ground between Science and Religion	24	(1)
A Closing Story	25	(1)
Summary	25	(1)
Terms and Concepts	26	(1)
Mandala of the Human Spirit	26	(2)
References and Resources	28	(1)
Theories of Human Spirituality: Perspectives from the Sages and Wisdom Keepers	29	(45)
The Mystical Path	31	(2)
Hildegard von Bingen
Mother Earth Spirituality	33	(4)
Black Elk
The Feminine Path	37	(1)
Joan Borysenko
Divine Messages	38	(1)
Ken Carey
The Hero's Journey	39	(2)
Joseph Campbell
Seven Spiritual Steps	41	(2)
Deepak Chopra
The Dalai Lama: Compassion and Happiness	43	(1)
The Nonlocal Mind	44	(2)
Larry Dossey
Light and Energy	46	(2)
Albert Einstein
Creation Spirituality	48	(1)
Matthew Fox
The Search for Life's Meaning	49	(2)
Viktor Frankl
Our Human Potential	51	(2)
Jean Houston
Jesus of Nazareth: Unconditional Love	53	(2)
Divine Consciousness	55	(3)
Carl Gustav Jung
To Be Self-Actualized	58	(2)
Abraham Maslow
The Four Stages of Spiritual Growth	60	(3)
M. Scott Peck
To Be of Service	63	(1)
Rachel Naomi Remen
Tao---The Balance of Life	64	(2)
Lao Tzu
To Be Self-Realized	66	(2)
Paramahansa Yogananda
The Spectrum of Consciousness	68	(2)
Ken Wilber
Summary	70	(1)
Terms and Concepts	70	(1)
The Road Less Traveled	70	(1)
References and Resources	71	(3)
The Nature of Human Spirituality	74	(20)
Definitions of Human Spirituality	75	(1)
Spirit: The Breath of Life	76	(1)
One Source, Many Names	77	(1)
Definitions of Religion	78	(1)
The Perennial Philosophy	78	(2)
Metaphor: The Language of Spirit	80	(1)
The Path and the Journey	80	(2)
Spirits on a Human Path	82	(1)
Of Spirit and Soul	83	(1)
What Is Stress?	84	(1)
What Is the Soul?	84	(1)
The Three Pillars of Human Spirituality	85	(5)
Desire + Commitment = Discipline	90	(1)
Summary	91	(1)
Terms and Concepts	91	(1)
The Three Pillars of Human Spirituality	91	(1)
References and Resources	92	(2)
Mountains, Molehills, and Muscles of the Soul	94	(26)
The Metaphorical Mountain	95	(1)
Molehills: Roadblocks on the Spiritual Path	96	(1)
Distractions on the Spiritual Path	97	(2)
Muscles of the Soul	99	(4)
Spiritual Potential and Spiritual Health	103	(1)
Rainbows and the Yellow Brick Road	104	(1)
Seasons of the Soul	105	(8)
Summary	113	(1)
Terms and Concepts	113	(1)
Roadblocks on the Spiritual Path	114	(2)
Distractions on the Spiritual Path	116	(1)
Muscles of the Soul	117	(1)
Seasons of the Soul	118	(1)
References and Resources	119	(1)
Mind-Body-Spirit Healing	120	(18)
The Ghost in the Machine	122	(2)
A New Era of Medicine	124	(1)
Curing Is Not Healing	125	(2)
The Human Energy Field: The Interface between Body and Soul	127	(2)
Stress and Disease	129	(1)
Cellular Consciousness	129	(1)
Complementary Medicine/Energy Medicine	130	(1)
So Why Doesn't Everybody Get Healed?	131	(2)
Summary	133	(1)
Terms and Concepts	134	(1)
Unresolved Anger and Fear?	134	(2)
References and Resources	136	(2)
Embracing the Mystery	138	(12)
Be a Good Mystic	140	(1)
No Short List of Mysteries Here!	140	(3)
The Mystery of DNA	143	(1)
The Kundalini Effect	144	(1)
Science's Blind Spot	145	(1)
Prayer, Distant Healing, and the Nonlocal Mind	145	(1)
Summary	146	(1)
Terms and Concepts	146	(1)
Extraordinary Moments	147	(1)
References and Resources	148	(2)
The Art of Meditation	150	(25)
Cleansing the Mind	151	(2)
Of Ego and Soul	153	(1)
Domesticating the Ego	153	(1)
A Free Spirit Must Be Disciplined	154	(1)
Types of Meditation	155	(1)
Reaching Enlightenment?	156	(1)
Steps to Meditate	157	(2)
Summary	159	(1)
Terms and Concepts	159	(1)
Meditation Check List	159	(2)
Meditation Exercises	161	(1)
Breathing Clouds Meditation	161	(1)
Open Heart Meditation	162	(2)
Crystal Cave Meditation	164	(1)
Seven Veils Meditation	165	(3)
Body Colors and Healing Light Meditation	168	(1)
Rainbow Meditation	169	(2)
Energy Ball Meditation	171	(2)
DNA Meditation	173	(1)
References and Resources	174	(1)
Health of the Human Spirit	175	(19)
Medicine for the Soul	176	(1)
Keeping the Human Spirit Healthy	177	(9)
The Art of Self-Renewal	178	(1)
The Practice of Sacred Rituals	179	(1)
Sweet Forgiveness	180	(1)
Embracing the Shadow	181	(1)
Acceptance	182	(1)
Keeping an Attitude of Gratitude	182	(1)
Keeping the Faith	183	(1)
Walking with a Light Heart	183	(1)
Compassion in Action	184	(2)
Live Your Joy!	186	(1)
Summary	186	(1)
Terms and Concepts	187	(1)
Health of the Human Spirit	187	(5)
References and Resources	192	(2)
The End Is Just the Beginning	194	(5)
Index	199