[venusss]

In ancient times, spiritual vitality and mental health were considered identical. People did not conceive of a mind separate from the soul. The kinds of behavior that now get referred to psychiatric wards were considered evidence of spiritual illness or demonic possession. When this system of belief functioned at its healthiest, the deeper value of the person was not questioned; it was instead assumed that mystical torment obscured a sufferer’s brighter lights.
However, in some case inflexible religious attitudes probably stigmatized many people that our society would try to view more compassionately. When such cases are considered, labeling someone ‘psychiatrically ill’ may seem preferable to declaring him or her to be in the clutch of demons.
On the other hand, the elevated states of consciousness that have informed saints and prophets throughout recorded history are now considered delusional, hallucinatory, and insane. So whereas traditional societies would honor those capable of expanded consciousness, conventional psychiatry has defined spiritual ecstasy as a disease.
Although our current philosophies of mind help us view those in chaotic states a bit more kindly, they undermine the sorts of spiritual realization that from time immemorial have rescued people from lives of torment.

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/happin...-for-the-soul/

another thoughtful article from Will Meechan.

Growth Hurts

Response to a comment:

Anonymous–

Thank you for taking the time to leave such thoughtful reflections. I have now written so much around this topic, I appreciate hearing someone else’s observations in line with the basics of my thesis, if perhaps not all the details.

Life is by no means fair, but it is survivable, and it can be rewarding, even after major setbacks and pain. Is it meaningless? On a cosmic scale, quite likely. But we as humans find meaning on our own small scales, and doing so is ever possible and quite healing.

No, the sad memories and regret do not get erased by what comes later. But they do become more bearable. Besides, I’m not sure we would be served by complete erasure: much of the richness in life comes from the continual ups and downs of our experience. If we deny the down times, we cheat ourselves of truly appreciating the better epochs.

These are not easy ideas to buy into when one still feels wounded and/or betrayed by fate. But embracing experience, making sense of it, and (especially) using it to help others will help open our hearts to these truths. Not everyone is ready, I see now. But many, like you, have already figured these things out. Once understood, they even begin to seem rather obvious, which is why I made the mistake of not foreseeing how upsetting this line of talk would be to some.

Thank you so much for your comment.

–Will

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/happin.../growth-hurts/

This article speaks in terms of growth. Even so, spirituality is not new. More recently, spirituality has been considered a dimension of wellness:

http://www.seekingwholeness.com/wisd...ns-of-wellness
http://www.stedwards.edu/stulife/doc...Dimensions.pdf
http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content...SMA10-4568.pdf

Although these elements are universal across faiths, cultures, and nationalities, people take different paths to increasing their individual wellbeing. For many people, spirituality drives them in all these areas. Their faith is the most important facet of their lives, and it is the foundation of their daily efforts. For others, a deep mission, such as protecting the environment, inspires them each day. While the things that motivate us differ greatly from one person to the next, the outcomes do not.

http://gmj.gallup.com/content/126884...?version=print