{"id":98348,"date":"2024-04-23T11:14:32","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T11:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=98348"},"modified":"2024-04-23T11:15:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T11:15:11","slug":"spirituality-role-in-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/spirituality-role-in-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"How Mental Health & Spirituality in Relationships Can Benefit You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French scientist, theologian, and philosopher, reminds us that <\/span>spirituality is already within us. But what is spirituality in relationships?<\/b><\/p>\n

Spirituality is often mentioned with religion but they are different. The challenge with spirituality is that we must all interpret it in our own way.<\/span><\/p>\n

As this overview by the National Center for Cultural Competence of<\/span> Body\/Mind\/Spirit<\/span><\/a> further shows, <\/span>there are multiple definitions for spirituality and religion. <\/b>So, how do we reconcile all these definitions with our beliefs and those of our partner?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>How does spirituality show up in relationships?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

In adult developmental terms, spiritual awakening can come with a deep shift in our sense of self. We become less attached to our self-image, and our physical boundaries become more fluid. <\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, <\/span>we feel more connected with other beings, not just humans, and with nature herself.<\/b><\/p>\n

As this paper on the<\/span> late stages of adult development<\/span><\/a> continues to describe, <\/span>deep spirituality comes with reduced defense mechanisms and a strong sense of well-being. <\/b>Such spirituality in relationships allows people to deepen their connections with each other.<\/p><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, <\/span>spirituality is something you practice and experience within yourself.<\/b> Of course, you can still explore and debate the experience with your partner in order to further your own spiritual growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless, <\/span>as long as there is mutual respect and understanding, your inner experiences of life can be different <\/b>and spirituality doesn’t have to be present for you to enjoy a <\/span>good relationship<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, <\/span>spirituality in relationships can be tough if your values are misaligned.<\/b> For example, the spiritual partner might value compassion and personal growth, but the other one prioritizes wealth and power. Such disparate values are virtually impossible to reconcile.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED READING : <\/span>21 Signs You Are Spiritually Connected With Someone<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/span>What is the impact of spirituality in romantic relationships?<\/b> <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

The common wisdom is that successful relationships have shared values. Within that, everyday beliefs can be different but your core moral compass is aligned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Separating spirituality and religion doesn’t make sense for everyone but in many ways, spirituality transcends religion. <\/span>You don’t ever have to step foot into a church or a temple to be spiritual.<\/b><\/p>\n

When it comes to spirituality in relationships, <\/span>if you can be spiritual in your individual ways and still connect through common values, you will develop a stronger and deeper bond.<\/b><\/p>\n

On the other hand, if spirituality in relationships for you means following a religious doctrine that is different from your partner’s set of beliefs for how to be spiritual, you will most probably clash.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as there are various religions, so there are different types of spiritual relationships. For instance, some people believe in soulmates, and others believe in past lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, <\/span>as long as your beliefs have the same foundational values, you can sustain a healthy relationship.<\/b> If, as mentioned, those values are at odds with those of your partner, you will struggle to connect with each other. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>How do similar spiritual beliefs influence relationships?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

Spirituality is a way of being. It isn’t about following a set of rules or principles, even though they might help you feel more spiritual. Instead, <\/span>it’s about experiencing a certain awe and joy of being alive.<\/b><\/p>\n

Moreover, spirituality is about embodying certain qualities, such as compassion and love for all beings. <\/span>Those qualities remove us from our “me, myself and I” mindsets and connect us to others and something beyond language and concepts.<\/b><\/p>\n

When you’re in that way of being, you are open to all relationships. You bring joy and kindness, and others are more likely to respond in kind. <\/span>You’re also more likely to attract like-minded people, which will allow you to build a strong relationship with them.<\/b><\/p>\n

In short, spirituality and dating can be a powerful connecting point. And if you have a common set of beliefs to support your spirituality, that connection will be even stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, <\/span>a lack of spirituality in relationships can block our growth because we never truly discover who we are. <\/b>We might also be overly fixated on material goals that keep us in the endless quest for happiness in “stuff”.<\/span><\/p>\n

But happiness doesn’t exist in the things we acquire. Whilst happiness is another concept that can’t truly be defined, it has been equated with experiencing joy, contentment, and living a meaningful life, as detailed in this Berkeley article on<\/span> happiness<\/span><\/a>. And all those qualities correlate with spirituality.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what can you expect from spirituality in relationships?<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall,<\/span> a grounded, compassionate partnership with mutual respect and understanding. The more your values and beliefs align, the deeper those traits will be.<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/span>6 positive benefits of spirituality on mental health<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Senior<\/p>\n

True spirituality in relationships isn’t about searching for benefits because you’re on the path to self-connection and discovery. The benefits of spirituality lie in spirituality itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, these bonus extras will make your life more meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Greater self-compassion<\/b><\/h3>\n

Whether you connect to something greater than yourself or practice techniques such as meditation,<\/span> all spiritual paths encourage you to see the world’s suffering and to connect through our common humanity.<\/b><\/p>\n

As a result, you develop compassion for yourself through a greater understanding of the human condition. You then naturally integrate this into your spirituality role in a relationship such that you and your partner navigate through life with mutual compassion as your support mechanism.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Self-esteem<\/b><\/h3>\n

Spirituality allows you to feel connected to all beings and the universe itself. You never feel alone and you know that you belong.<\/span> You essentially see yourself as a valued member of this universe.<\/b><\/p>\n

Similarly, with spirituality and dating. You know you are part of something greater, so there is someone out there. And if this person right now isn’t that one, it doesn’t matter. With spirituality, you go beyond expecting the now to be different; you just flow with what happens.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Acceptance<\/b><\/h3>\n

Just as you flow with dating, so spirituality in love is about accepting people as they are, including yourself. <\/span>There’s a certain surrender in spirituality but also an empowerment in seeing the world as it is without the filters of past traumas.<\/b><\/p>\n

You, too, can start practicing acceptance with the techniques reviewed in this insightful video: <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n