Lecture 5: Religion, Spirituality and Well-being

I found that this particular lecture was surprisingly interactive as it highlighted the relevance of religion and spirituality as components of well-being. These connections are made in the social support, healthy lifestyle, personal integration, increased generativity, coping strategies and the meaning and purpose that results from religion.

I have learnt that the cosmic/global meaning of life is a holistic view of the coherent pattern and structure in the world, whereas the personal or secular meaning is personal to one’s individual sense of purpose

Meaning in Life

Of the 9 ways of finding meaning in life that are highlighted by Compton and Hoffman (2012), suffering is most applicable to me. Other than the spiritual interpretations of suffering (Emmons, 1999) which suggest an increase in self-confidence, interpersonal relationships and changing core philosophies; I personally agree with the re-evaluative and transformative experiences implied by Viktor Frankl (1992). I had an alcoholic father who, with his psychotic behaviour, caused a great deal of trauma for my mother, brother and me. With the strength derived from my spiritual foundations as a Christian and the social interactions that had catered for my vulnerability, I now embrace my sense of meaning in life. Positively dealing with my traumatic past has allowed this to develop. Having dealt with the mental health outcomes of these experiences during my 10-week counselling session, I have come to understand that my mindfulness practices were essential in developing post-traumatic well-being. As supported by mindfulness theories, this had allowed me to disengage from problematic thoughts and symptoms to increase moment-specific awareness, which had facilitated my growing optimism towards people and life. Personally, I view suffering as a rose that is fertilized by manure. Whilst the actual flower remains delicate and vulnerable, the thorns stand to protect it from potential threats. 

Compton, W. C., & Hoffman, E. (2013). Positive Psychology The Science of Happiness and Flourishing. California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Emmons, R. A. (1999). The psychology of ultimate concern: Motivation and spirituality in personality. New York: Guilford Press. 

Frankl, V. (1992). Man’s Search for Meaning. (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Beacon Press.

___________________________________________

Summary Reading-  

The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and Its Role in Psychological Well-Being 

Brown and Ryan (2003) state that mindfulness is a conscious attribute that promotes well-being. The authors aim was to unfold the empirical and theoretically evidenced roles of mindfulness and its’ influence on one’s psychological well-being. The psychometric properties of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) are also noted. Brown and Ryan (2003) highlight quasi-experimental, correlational and laboratory studies that reveal a differentiation between mindfulness practitioners and others. The range of well-being constructs; unique use of consciousness and the self-awareness associated with mindfulness are also described. The experience-sampling study reveals that positive emotional states and self-regulated behaviours are determined by mindfulness and dispositional states. The article concludes with a clinical intervention study that highlights cancer patients who demonstrated a decrease in stress and mood disturbance due to increases in mindfulness.
       

Brown, W. K., & Ryan, M. R. (2003). The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and Its Role in Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Personal and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822-848. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.