How we feel about ourselves impact all key areas of our lives including Spirituality. Our knowledge and experience of love may be limited that inhibits our capacity to be more loving of ourselves and others. As we become more spiritually centered, we return to our natural state of being.

What is spirituality? How can we grow spiritually? How can we live heart-centered lives? Spirituality offers a framework to authentically connect to ourselves, others, the world around us, and the universe at large. The expression, "We are spiritual beings having a human experience", speaks to the plight of the human condition and aspiration to ascend to our natural state of being. Life experiences may leave us feeling unworthy, broken and incomplete. The illusion of brokenness in physical has no place in the spiritual. We are whole, unbroken and complete.

Transcending false beliefs and earthly values, spirituality is an internal and personal quest for truth, meaning and purpose. The fruit of the spirit highlights spiritual markers of love, peace, goodness, faithfulness and self-mastery. More specifically, the Wholistic Model of Love, the 'Recipe of Love' adopted from Henry Drummond's analysis of love includes ingredients of patience, kindness, humility, generosity, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, guilessness and sincerity.

Spirituality enriches our divine connection for guidance and direction that enhances our capacity for peace, wisdom and healing. It is our soulful connection to our inner self and natural state of being that is pure love. It is the divine wisdom that all that we need is within us. Religion is established organized beliefs with prescribed rituals, traditions, moral codes and dogmas. It includes external actions and practices that give us a sense of spiritual fulfillment and living heart-centered lives. Both spirituality and religion are paths to self-understanding, personal growth and self-discovery. Whether through practices including mindfulness, meditation and prayer, we aspire to express and reflect our divinity and become more loving. Dr. Jean Marie contends that spirituality is on a larger scale seeking eternal truths, greater understanding of the oneness of humanity, and interconnectedness to the world and universe beyond the dimensions of what we see and experience on a daily basis as human beings.

Dr. Jean Marie highlights how we can grow spiritually and enhance our soul connection to be loving and live heart-centered enriched lives. She highlights the importance of cultivating your inner self, being in harmony and integrity, and trusting yourself. She provides reflective questions, practical considerations and encourages listeners to create an action plan for spiritual enrichment to track challenges, feel good experiences and outcomes.

Feel free to share insights, observations and experiences. Email: jean72farish@yahoo.com

Access Dr. Jean Marie's book, Living in the Spirit of Love: Our Natural State of Being, to learn more. She closes with her excerpts on Self-Discernment, Self-Wholeness and Wellspring.