Hi Everyone! I’ve just about finished my draft of the book—nine chapters each introducing a spiritual practice and discussing its mental health benefits. Now I’m adding some extras like small group study guides for adults and youth. I want to make it easy for everyone to get the most out of Sacred Balance!
Working as a psychiatric hospital chaplain gives me an interesting perspective on the relationship between spirituality and mental health. I know people in both fields who are (often rightly) skeptical of one another. People with mental health issues have often been ignored or stigmatized by religious people, while people of faith have been told by professionals that their beliefs are symptomatic or irrelevant. Standing at the middle of it all, though, I see more in common than in conflict. The fields of mental health and spirituality share many core values and often work toward common goals.
At the center of my work is the conviction that people can grow and adapt. Whether we’re learning to manage symptoms of an illness or working to better understand our place in the world, we are all engaging in a process of self-awareness. This process deepens our connections to God, our communities, and the world around us. It also gives us new insights and tools for maintaining healthy balance. Faith traditions are increasingly recognizing the need to address mental health in their own communities; meanwhile scientific research is noting the positive impact of prayer and meditation practices. Mental health cannot be isolated from spirituality because our core beliefs and actions shape our psychological well-being.