Newsletter #2
Spirituality; A Practical Solution to The Challenges of Modern Life
Hi there,
Thanks for being part of The Happiness Habit newsletter gang. You may well be here because you saw one of my posts on LinkedIn. All this posting on social media is new to me and I’m still getting pangs of self-consciousness. But the posts seem to be striking a chord and they’ve attracted a steady flow of subscribers to this newsletter. So thanks to everyone who has liked, commented and re-posted any of those posts. You’re helping grow this small but beautifully formed community.
In the last newsletter I talked about the freedom that comes with spiritual abundance. But freedom from what? And what is spiritual abundance anyway?
For many people anything being described as "spiritual” conjures up one of two very specific images. Either that of boring dogma and the archaic language of traditional religion and church services. Or the hippy-laden, fanciful ceremonies of new-age crystal healing. That’s exactly what I had in my head a few years ago. But not anymore.
I now think of anything spiritual as being a very practical solution to many of the challenges we face in our modern world.
So, when I talk about spirituality I don’t mean religion. Nor do I mean some fluffy, "woo-woo" concept. I mean an approach to living and a set of practical tools that can help us address some of the very real problems many of us face - from stress and anxiety to our increasing dependence on external stimulation to get through our daily lives.
I discovered this truth through my own journey with addiction. As a recovering alcoholic, I learned that my drinking wasn't actually the problem. Drinking was a symptom. The real problem was my inability to cope with life. The alcohol was my solution to dealing with life's challenges, anxieties, and emotional upheavals. Some people choose drugs to distract themselves and numb uncomfortable feelings. Others loose themselves in video games. Or gambling. Or porn. Or even work. Sound familiar? Even if you've never struggled with addiction, you might recognise an element of this pattern of distraction in your own life.
Think about it: what do you do when life feels a bit too much? Maybe you retreat to somewhere quiet and scroll through social media for hours. Maybe curl up on the sofa and binge-watch a full series on Netflix. Or maybe you shop online for things you don’t need. Or reach for that glass of wine to take the edge off.
These aren't necessarily bad or debilitating addictions. But they are unhealthy habits that can lead to addiction. They are also habits that our culture has normalised. It’s OK to take the edge off, treat ourselves, and escape those uncomfortable feelings.
But here’s the problem. You can’t selectively numb uncomfortable feelings. When you numb anxiety, you numb peace. When you numb boredom, you numb enthusiasm. When you numb life’s problems, you numb life’s joy. If you spend a lifetime numbing everything, eventually you feel nothing. And that’s where addiction takes you. Devoid of feeling. Devoid of life.
Obviously the big question this raises is ‘How the hell are we supposed to cope with life if we can’t take the edge off?’
Enter the spiritual solution!
The renowned psychiatrist C.G. Jung once observed that recovery from addiction was only possible through what he called a "vital spiritual experience." These three words are crucial to understanding the practical power of spirituality in helping us deal with the discomfort of life without distracting or numbing ourselves.
We’re talking about an approach to living that is;
Vital - it's essential to life itself, bringing vitality and authenticity to everything we do
Spiritual - it involves delving into the non-material, internal landscape of our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions where natural happiness abides
Experiential - it must be lived and felt, not just intellectually understood - it is of the body, heart and soul, not just the logical mind.
What's fascinating is that this spiritual solution isn't just for addicts.
In our modern society, many of us are experiencing what recovery circles call the "bedevilments" - feelings of uselessness, fear, unhappiness, restlessness, irritability, and discontentment. All words that characterise Generalised Anxiety Disorder; a condition that approximately 20% of the UK population suffer from. These aren't just individual struggles; they're symptoms of a broader cultural malady.
We're living in a time of unprecedented material comfort, yet we're more disconnected and unhappier than ever. Our culture has created a society where we're constantly seeking external solutions to internal problems. We've become so focused on logical, mechanical, and material pursuits that we've lost touch with our authentic, natural selves - what I call our "true self," the soulful, intuitive observer within us.
The good news is that the spiritual solution offers a path forward. It's not about joining a religion or following strict rules. Instead, it's about reconnecting with our authentic selves and learning to navigate life's challenges without constantly reaching for external crutches. It's about developing internal resources that allow us to face life's ups and downs with greater resilience and peace. It’s about finding the freedom to be naturally, spiritually happy.
So what can you do now?
As a first step, I invite you to observe your own patterns. Notice when you reach for external solutions to internal discomfort. What are your go-to crutches? What feelings are you trying to avoid or numb? Simple awareness is often the first step toward transformation.
Remember, you don't have to identify as an addict or be in crisis to benefit from spiritual growth. If you've ever felt disconnected, stressed, or caught in cycles of unfulfilling behaviours, this journey might be for you.
Together, we can discover a more authentic and fulfilling way of living. And dare I say it, a more spiritual way of living.
Until next time,