Spirituality and psychology are two complex subjects to discuss and they become even more complicated when you try to relate one to the other. Psychology deals with the processes of sense perception, thinking, learning, cognition, emotions and motivations, and personality, focusing on the behavior of individuals. Spirituality, on the other hand, is all inclusive. “Spirituality is living one's life from the realization that the body/mind/ego personality we have been taught to identify with is just the tip of our iceberg, our little head sticking through the window of the senses into this world, whereas our true body is the universe. It is recognizing that our perceived world is mostly an illusion, a shared dream we are asleep in, and that the goal of life is to awake to our real Self which is vast and multidimensional--already intimately connected with all of creation, with a twin shadow self that is already scripted, mostly primitive, and hidden from us, but that this whole Self is already One with this mystery we call God/dess whose essence can hardly be understood, but to which we give names as Eternal Wisdom, Ultimate Reality, Birther of all Life, S/he Who Is, etc.” So, how can someone take two complex subjects and use one to enhance the other in their life? Is it possible to use a school of psychology to enhance the spiritual life of a person? By analyzing one school of psychology (Rational Emotive Therapy) and by focusing on how it can keep one from focusing on negative and selfish thoughts/acts, how it can make one focus on the things that matter most in life, and how it can help one in spreading a positive way of living, we will see that it is possible for RET to enhance our spirituality. However, we must first learn what RET is all about.
Rational Emotive Therapy is amazingly simple. All it entails is for an individual to perform self analysis on their way of thinking and to eliminate all the grandiose words from their vocabulary. By taking the musts, always, nevers, and everyones from our vocabulary, and by replacing them with desire, prefer, and hope, we are more likely to understand that many of our problems and barriers are self made. Instead of viewing each problem in our lives as the end of the world, using RET allows us to step back from the situation and to take a realistic view at the situation. By mapping out...
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...rove the things that are within ones control. This way of thinking allows one appreciate the gifts that they possess and how to better utilize them. Other people become less of a factor in one’s unhappiness or emotions, making one in control of their own life and destiny. These results in the ridding of unnecessary quarrels and grudges that exist between those that one feels had wronged them. Therefore, their time is not consumed with negative emotions and thoughts. Instead, one can focus on the deeper meaning of their lives and how to improve it. They can become more comfortable with themselves and experience an inner calm and peace. They strengthen their spirituality and the way they go about their lives. They believe in themselves to make the world a better place. In hindsight, it really is amazingly simple.
References
1. Baute, Paschal. Theological Library. Lexington, KY. Jan 95
2. Ellis, Albert. Better, Deeper, and More Enduring Brief Therapy. Brunner/Mazel. New York. 1996
3. Ellis, Albert and Harper, Robert. A New Guide to Rational Living. Prentice-Hall Inc. New Jersey. 1961
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