What's the problem, I wanted to know. To me, they seem to be moving in the same direction; asking the same, or similar questions; aiming at the same, or similar conditions. Why would they be exclusive of each other? Where is the conflict?
Of course, this presupposes a rather broad and somewhat universal understanding of spirituality. I don't mean religion, or religiosity. I don't mean a dogmatic belief system. I don't mean particular rituals or ceremonies or styles of worship, or attendance at this or that house of worship. None of these things are of any particular interest in distilling the essence of what constitutes personal spirituality or mental health, happiness and well being. If you are engaged in something along these lines, and you want to continue to be engaged, go right ahead. Only be willing to notice where and when any of them might be leading you into distress, rather than toward health and freedom.
You must believe that Jesus of Nazareth is GOD, the only GOD, that he died on the cross and rose from the dead, and was immaculately conceived, etc., etc., etc. OR ELSE!!!
Nonsense. And equal nonsense with any other set of beliefs from any other religion.
What possible difference can it make, when you get right down to it, whether you believe this or that, while you are unhappy, unhealthy, behave badly, abuse yourself and others, go to war with anyone who believes differently from you, take advantage of those "weaker" than you, steal, kill, lie, and live an inner life of hatred, jealousy, rage, greed and self indulgence?
Give me an honest thief any day over a conniving, pin striped, neatly shaved and coiffed, self centered, power addicted public pillar of society. Woe unto you, hypocrites!
Etc.
And so we have health, and we have sickness. And sometimes one has to choose. And sometimes one has to make sacrifices for the former. So would you rather be healthy and happy and genuine and living a life of integrity, and relatively "poor" financially; or would you prefer to be one of the wealthy rapers of natural resources and pillagers of people throughout the world? For example.
Is the good life the American model of ever expanding affluence for the very few and now, ever expanding hardship for the many? Is it the ownership of government by mega multinational corporations and increased power and privilege for the wealthiest one percent? Or is it something different perhaps? A more equal distribution of resources; health care for all; education for all who want it; basic decent housing for all; care for all citizens?
This is, ultimately, about fundamental values of course. So, does psychotherapy limit itself to helping people adjust better to a profoundly dis-functional social and economic system, or does it dare to concern itself with the basic values of the life well lived? Hmmm.
