The Theory Of Spiritual Disciplines Essay

While reading the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, I did not expect to come across a spiritual discipline that would be a perfect combination of my own idea of spiritual formation, and a wonderful way to connect with the Lord. What I mean by this, is that I was wanting to create a gratitude journal, but I wanted it to be deeper than just a list of things that I was thankful for. That is why I fell in love with the idea of writing responses to the questions that were posed in the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, but still taking a few minutes to write a list of things that I am grateful for! A journal like this is also a great way for me to see the strong points in my day or week, and the areas where I need improvement. Since journaling has always

Siang-Yang Tan, a psychologist that has been in the field for over 25 years wrote a journal on the Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This journal “covers the appropriate and ethical use of prayer, including inner healing prayer, and Scripture in a Christian approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy” (Tan, 2007). In this journal he expounded on the methods he used through his experience to ethically provide prayer and scripture in a suitable fashion. He also went a little further to talk about how, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most empirically supported treatments (ESTs) available for a wide variety of psychological disorders” (Tan, 2007). Tan described in part on how the principles of prayer can be merged in the therapy process and in certain circumstances have value in the client’s needs through their receptiveness.

The professional clinical model in the psychiatry/medical world is the ideal model. However, the professional is allowed to develop his/her own model of counseling that meets the regulations of the State and the medical world. The secular view of the professional clinical model has been condensed to represent a basic fiduciary relationship placed within a box that is supervised and regulated by outside authorities. The nature of this counseling relationship does not include religious beliefs or does it involve the Scriptures as a resource. Harold Bullock (2003) expounds on this matter, “In the contemporary Western world, we have reduced the concept of god to “no god at all.” We do not want to bow our knees to any god. So, we have concocted a mixture of science and pseudo-science to explain how everything came to being without any god behind it. Morally, we have decided that we human beings can be and do whatever we want.” Science becomes the primary authority in which all “valid” knowledge is accepted. What the world considers to be the ideal model of counseling contrasts from what the Scriptures consider counseling to be.

Evidence has linked a strong relationship between spirituality and medicine. There is a positive correlation between a patient’s spirituality or religious commitment and health outcomes. A spiritual assessment as a part of a health assessment is a practical step to incorporating patient’s spiritual needs into practice. The FICA Tool and HOPE Questions provide serve to assist clinicians in the spiritual assessment process. By examining the research done using these tools, it has been determined that the FICA Tool is easy to use and provides basic data on a patient’s spirituality. The FICA tool is both reliable and valid. The HOPE Questions are

Religious settings highlighted that only professional counsellors belonging to professional bodies offered counselling services (West, 2001; Rye et al, 2000 and Thorne, 1991). It was also emphasised that although counselling in Britain is not underpinned by religion Woodruff (2002) that it does have its ‘roots in religious forms’ (West, 2001, p. 415). For example the act of forgiveness was seen as a key competent of spiritual pastoral care West (2001) and also was identified to be used amongst many therapist today (West 2001). It was also suggested that pastoral counselling played a large part in the establishment of The BACP West (1998) which is the ethical framework that counsellors are required to adhere to. (Moore & Roberts, 2010)

Professional counseling focuses on relationship that empowers different individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, and wellness. However, the part that professional counselors don’t focus on is the spiritual stability in an individual so they could properly serve God and be impactful in the church. There are many approaches that professional counselor used that could also aid a Christian counselor. Some of the approaches are as follows: Client-centered therapy, Active Listening Approaches, Cognitive & Solution-Focused Approaches, Inner Healing Approaches, and Mixed Approaches. Furthermore, theses above approaches could be even more effect when Christian counselors used the Bible too. It must be known, that secular approaches are not inherently wrong; however, if a Christian counselor rely on these approaches it is. Subsequently, when secular approaches are use independently it falls short of the goal of a Christian

Prayer and scripture are very important in Christian counseling. The counselor needs to know the proper time and purpose to incorporate them into sessions with clients or whether to use them or not. The goals of Christian counseling have many parts. Unlike other counselors, Christian counselors not only focus on mental health but on spiritual growth. In order for spiritual growth to happen prayer and scripture at some point need to be brought into the session with clients. McMinn (2011) expresses, “At the heart of Christian spirituality is a healing relationship with God” (p. 41). When a person is broken

Mark R. McMinn’s (2011) Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling establish a way to bring Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality to Christian Counselors. He introduces a replica of how to integrate the three disciplines in the counseling office. The purpose of the book is to instruct counselors how to integrate categories of Psychology, Theology and Spirituality into Christian Counseling. McMinn (2011) contends that many challenges both professional and personal face Christian Counselors on the frontier of intradisciplinary integration. (Intradisciplinary integration is the new emerging frontier for Christian Counselors).

Spirituality and religion hold different values and truths depending on your personal beliefs. Being religious is a belief or practice that contains certain values one should follow. When looking deeper into religion you can find spirituality which is the part of religion that effects our spirit and soul, it is not tangible. “The Sacred within” is spirituality and pertains to God dwelling inside of our heart and soul. When looking at “the sacred within” there are certain senses that we can tap into so, we may obtain that sort of spirituality. Through solitude, silence, imagination, and nature, we can have a better sense of spirituality.

Throughout the semester I have developed an understanding for the spiritual disciplines; silence, solitude, and Sabbath; which has taught me how to live an intention Christ-centered life. The disciplines have not only helped my personal daily life, but they have also helped me better understand Christ himself. I can, without a doubt, say that I know that God gave us the gifts of spiritual disciplines to help guide us in the crazy culture we live in. I have gained a new appreciation for the maker of our world as He has gone out of His way to love on us, and all He asks us in return to practice disciplines and grow closer to him. The disciplines have have taught me that seeking God is about more than just saying a prayer before bed. Instead, it is practicing the disciplines and seeing His faithfulness through the actions. My practice of silence has taught me that the world is a loud place full of so many distractions. This specific practice has helped me seek God, in a deep way, by committing to listening to him in silence rather than wondering why I could never here him in the midst of the crowds. My practice of solitude has become a sort of Bible study time for me. A time to be alone and remember all the good our King has done and will continue to do for us. My practice of Sabbath has helped me start of each week with a positive outlook. Surprisingly it has also given me a deeper understanding of academics as well as it forces me to get my homework done before my day of

Mysticism is a word we find in many books that relate to religious experiences. Mysticism is interpreted as searching for spiritual truth and wisdom through the unification with the Divine. Many Christians today believe that the words associated with mysticism like meditation and mystic are not coherently related with Christianity, but more with many Eastern religions. Eastern religions are definitely known for their mysticism, but it is believed to not be a part of Christianity. Mysticism is actually a vital part of Christianity in ways that are more spiritual rather than only being engaged with Christian rituals. Mysticism is the faith that spiritual reality is believed to be from human knowledge and their senses. It searches for truth

Being in a new and different environment can be both scary and nerve-wracking. When I was heading to The Center for Spiritual Living, I was nervous and anxious. I didn’t want to go because I felt like I was going to be out of place. I chose The Center for Spiritual Living (CSL) because it is not a typical church or a main religion that most people know about. The Center for Spiritual living was founded by Ernest Holmes in 1949. The fist center established in 1949 was The Center for Spiritual Living in Los Angeles California. The center has four hundred spiritual communities in thirty countries. CSL teaches a New Thought Philosophy that includes science and religion together. By bringing religion and science together certain tools are taught to help people make their lives better, and make the world a better place to live in.

The book Soul Friend: Spiritual Direction in the Modern World, by Kenneth Leech, is a classic introduction among Christians to the subject of spiritual direction. Leech offers first a comprehensive historical overview of spiritual direction, then he reviews regarding the relationship between therapy, counselling and spiritual direction. Later he describes prayer in the Christian tradition, the practice of prayer, and the prophetic understanding of spiritual direction. In the following, I will provide a theological discussion and critical assessment of the anthropology as reflected in spiritual direction as discussed in his book.

Spirituality plays a very sub sequential role in my personal life. First of all, spirituality helps me govern what is right and what is wrong in my life. Many of the decisions that I make everyday, I believe are a direct result of my spirituality. For as long as I can remember I have been raised to believe that I should live my life the way God would want me to live it. Therefore, whenever I have a decision to make, I have to consider, what is right? And what is wrong? Second of all, it also helps me to feel more secure about what will happen to my spirit once my life here on earth is over. I believe that there is a better place for our spirits once we leave this earth.

Spirituality can have many different definitions, depending on who is asked. It can be something as simple as looking for a higher meaning to life, or something so complex that one can base their beliefs, religion and overall life around it. There are several different ways to express one's spirituality; rituals, songs, dances, stories, and writings are all common methods of expression.