Session Five

Depression, Spirituality and Purpose

Overview: In Session Five, we give a background of our own spiritual background, and examine how a person can “tap into” a deeper spiritual experience—even if they don’t believe in God. Next, we discuss various spiritual practices—and how each one can be helpful for experiencing more peace, joy, and happiness. Finally, we suggest guidelines for ways to grow spiritually, and offer a simple method for letting go of whatever obstacles are the way.

Key Points for Session Five:

1. People who have a belief or faith in anything beyond themselves tend to heal faster emotionally than those who don’t have such beliefs.

2. Spiritual leaders pretty much agree that our purpose is to learn to be filled up from within with love and peace—and from this inner abundance, serve others as best we can.

3. You don’t have to create peace of mind. Peace already exists hidden beneath the accumulated thoughts and habits we’ve learned.

4. Spiritual practice is about learning what helps you to get back to your center and/or what helps you let go of the inner “garbage” or obstacles that can get in the way of feeling the peace within.

5. By overcoming challenges in life, you can become wiser, stronger, and more compassionate. It’s all a matter of how you interpret life’s events.

6. People who die temporarily and then are brought back to life say they are often asked the following two questions:

a) What have you learned about being a loving person?
b) How well have you completed what is most important to you?

7. By writing your own ideal obituary, you can get clarity as to what’s most important to you, and it can help inspire you to be your best self in the future.

8. Spiritual practices we discuss and recommend include: meditation, 12 step programs, yoga, prayer, reading from Holy books, singing, chanting, dancing, Tai Chi, and Chi Gong.

9. Try various practices and see which one(s) you enjoy and which ones help you to tap into a good feeling.

 

Suggested Exercises from Session Five:

1. READ “IDEAL OBITUARY” SHEET AND WRITE YOUR OWN: This simple exercise will help you know what’s important to you and keep you headed in the right direction.

2. READ LETTING GO OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS HANDOUT: This simple exercise will help you quickly release your negative emotions.

3. READ 12 GUIDELINES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH HANDOUT: No matter what spiritual path you’re on, these 12 suggestions will accelerate your growth.

4. LISTEN TO POWER MEDITATION #10: This will help you overcome any beliefs that no longer serve you…

5. LISTEN TO POWER MEDITATION #5: This meditation will help you get in touch with your heart and the many blessings in your life.