BuDhaGirl was founded on the tenants that everything we put in our brain affects who we are, how we feel, and how we behave. I have written many BuDhaBlogs on the importance of approaching everything we do in a spiritual manner. Everything. 

Spirituality is something completely personal and it connects us to the whole. Through sincere spirituality, we understand that we are never alone. Spirituality lifts us from the constant doubts that plague us, and allows us to see the beautiful creatures we truly are, and it gives us hope. I want to expand on the science of spirituality for World Mental Health Day. 

Lisa Miller, Ph.D., has written a marvelous book, The Awakened Brain (2021), revealing the science of spirituality. Dr. Miller’s decades of research and her personal journey proves our innate capacity for spirituality in our human biology. When engaged, this spiritual awareness can protect against depression, support health, and reveal the deep interconnection between all life. For studies on spirituality and mental health, Harvard University has published a wonderful article on their Spirituality Research Program.

 Spirituality is different from religion. Although they are both rooted in trying to understand the meaning of why we are here and finding a relationship with a higher power, religion consists of a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. Spirituality, on the other hand is an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose.

Many who have discovered spirituality seem to have had an “aha” moment. They experience a time when joy is fully present and feel that everything around them has a why a reason for being. Capturing that feeling and trying to live daily with that sense of purpose and joy is not an easy journey, but one that is so worth taking. That is why I advocate beginning your day in wonder and joy, another day of miracles is about to unfold and you are such an important part of the whole.

Begin your spiritual journey. Awake spiritually, eat spiritually, exercise spiritually, work spiritually, dress spiritually, love spiritually, and live spiritually. May you live in peace, may you be safe, may you be healthy, may you be happy, may you never lack, and may you linger in gratitude.