We’re affluent and educated, but stress, depression and anxiety are on the rise. Could it be that we’re spiritually bereft? Four professionals – Rebecca Cody, Ben Underwood, Dr Richard Yin and I — are searching for a “cure.” Here are our findings:
The Teacher
I’m Daniel Groenewald, a teacher and runner with an interest in mind-body fitness. I believe that a troubling contemporary irony is the discontent of educated, affluent people. We’re living in clover. Some of us know this, but many seem unhappy. Previous generations must turn in their graves realising their sacrifices have led to such an anti-climax. Our generation has taken for granted a lifestyle they could only dream of.
If spirituality is about the values and meanings that motivate us and fitness is our ability to withstand the demands of daily life, many of us are puffed out. Maybe we need to dispense with that personal trainer or fad diet and get a decent spiritual teacher.
We can learn a lot about training for spiritual fitness from our sporting greats. At a recent talk by former world record marathon holder Rob De Castella, I was stunned to hear just how much he trained. At one point in his life, he had trained 1,000 days in a row. De Castella made it clear that to become the world’s best or even just very good takes immense focus, discipline and sacrifice. De Castella attributed his success to the fruits of disciplined training. He never stressed a special athletic gift. Likewise, some of the most visibly content people in the world, such as religious monks, put in their 10,000 hours of mental training – contemplation, prayer, meditation and study.
Although we are not seeking spiritual world records here, the lessons for spiritual fitness are clear. If we want to be more content, we need to train for contentment. Regular, disciplined commitment to mind and body are the bedrock of well-being.
The Principal
Rebecca Cody is the principal of Methodist Ladies’ College, Perth. She says that to be spiritually fit, we have to start by being great role models. As a beginning teacher, she realised that one of the greatest differences between students was their attitude. Initially, she didn’t understand that a critical element of her job was to shape students’ thinking not just about the content, but their approach to learning. With further experience, she appreciated how her own role modelling could set the tone and change the dynamics of a lesson. Once she accepted formal leadership positions, she realised how important it is to focus on optimism and that hope can be liberating.
She began to believe that selecting a positive mindset is a choice that could be taught or developed. She still feels energised by the notion that identifying and breaking unhelpful attitudes is fundamental to our capacity to thrive. The challenge is knowing how to ensure this becomes second nature. For her, it’s as simple and as complex as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, drinking water regularly and walking.
She also looks at her thoughts. Her switch for improving self-talk is “flip it,” essentially a take on the glass half full, rather than empty. The other vital ingredient for her is breathing deeply; it is as though the inhaling allows space for clearer thinking and the longer you do it, the better the result. Part of this is about making time for reflection: a day lurching from one activity to the next, without adequate sustenance and opportunity for contemplation is a recipe for tired tension and unnecessary grumpiness. Neither is conducive to learning.
Cody says she often falls off the rails and has to start her regime all over again. When this happens, she remembers St Francis of Assisi and his prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.
The Reverend
Ben Underwood is an Anglican minister who runs twice a week. He sees similarities in training for spiritual and physical fitness. He notes that the New Testament uses metaphors of an athletic contest or a race to describe the spiritual life. The spiritual life demands a resolve to run hard and to endure the suffering as part and parcel of it. That resolve is focussed on attaining the prize of life with God. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”, says the author of Hebrews. “One thing I do,” writes the apostle Paul, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
As when an athlete trains, suffering has its uses in the spiritual life. Reversals, conflicts, anguishes and burdens serve as the training grounds upon which Underwood articulates and refines his life as an act of trust in God’s promise.
Also, like an athlete, to fix upon a goal is crucial. The disciplines of churchgoing, reading, and meditating on the Bible and prayer are ways to fix upon the promise of God’s grace at the foundation of the spiritual life. Here God builds our spiritual fitness as we remember Jesus’ words: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
The ‘Buddhist’ Doctor
Dr Richard Yin is a GP, runner and a meditation teacher. He knows that from a Buddhist perspective, to be spiritually fit requires that we train our minds. If we want to be happy, we need to be free of the daily delusions that make us unhappy. We have to train our minds to perceive our good fortune and our innate capacity for happiness. Like physical training, mind training requires commitment, discipline and enthusiasm borne out of a clear motivation or intent. We are training ourselves to meet with life in each and every moment, in each and every encounter with interest and compassion. This is a training that needs a long-term view and that requires humility, a kindness to oneself and patient perseverance.
In practice, the foundation of Buddhist spiritual training begins with meditation. In meditation, we are seeking to let the mind settle and find its home. We stay present and aware of our breath, our bodies, our feelings, our mental states, our thoughts; and we regain sanity from that process – a process often termed mindfulness, just being present to each moment without judgement. Regular meditation practice like regular exercise builds a foundation of strength, balance and resilience within us with which we can meet with life’s difficulties.
And as a spin-off, it appears from current research that mindfulness might also enhance our immune function, reduce our propensity for colds, prevent relapses for those with depression and help those with chronic pain or the diagnosis of cancer cope with their problems.
Lessons to remember
• You can train yourself to be happy. Take responsibility for quelling your unhappiness; find your feet; and find a way to appreciate life.
• All things are impermanent – your joy, your unhappiness. Don’t cling too desperately to anything.
• We are dependent on others and the natural world; be grateful for those who support you and treat our environment with respect and gratitude.
• Your life is precious; live it with wisdom and compassion.
• Be generous and go the extra mile; don’t be small-minded or make yourself small.
• Not to win is not the same as failing. Learn to accept apparent failures.
• Be kind to yourself and kind to others. No one is perfect. Smile. Each person is unique.
• So start today. Get some sleep and eat well.
• Find a reason to be disciplined.
• Express your gratitude.
• Explore your purpose in life and stay true to your values.
• Connect with your community.
• Be grateful for this amazing life.