Senior Centre
USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO DRAW THE PICTURE...
If you need some help, here are some inspiring articles and pictures...
An online magazine on senior ministry
https://www.greatseniorliving.com/articles/spirituality
A lot of people believe that spirituality and aging go hand in hand. And they're probably right (at least when it comes to most of today's seniors). After all, getting older tends to deepen a person's longing for the very things that a spiritual life can provide—things like a sense of comfort, meaning, purpose, and connection. That's why seniors who want to age well often choose to focus more of their attention on their spiritual needs and aspirations. It's a way to renew their outlook on life, become more attuned to their place in the world, and benefit from the potentially restorative nature of life-affirming spiritual practices. In short, having faith or a feeling of interconnectedness can make a person's heart sing. And that's something everyone deserves, regardless of age. Contents
At its core, spirituality is an aspect of human life that frequently involves a search for answers to fundamental questions about our existence, such as:
Although beliefs and opinions vary substantially, a lot of people see a clear distinction between spirituality and religion. In fact, religion is often said to be just one possible path to spirituality. Despite some overlap, other distinctions can also be made. Spirituality is often perceived or described as:
Many factors can affect a senior's desire to explore more of his or her spirituality. For example, a senior or elderly American may be drawn closer to spirituality or religious faith because of factors like:
Can You Be an Atheist and Spiritual at the Same Time?That depends on your individual perspective. Many people of faith think that a spiritual life requires belief in God or a supreme being. But atheists, by definition, do not believe in the existence of a literal God. However, many atheists do consider themselves to be spiritual, just not in a way that conforms to how some religious people tend to think of spirituality. For "spiritual atheists," meaning, connection, purpose, and morality are not derived from religious doctrines or ideas about the supernatural. Instead, they are derived from everyday experiences, observations, philosophical reflection, logical reasoning, and from what we continue to learn about the physical universe through science. All of those things are compatible with a definition of spirituality that's based on profound emotion and a search for answers about the biggest mysteries of life. Simply put, many atheists feel a deep sense of connection to the world and have a desire and willingness to improve themselves and help their fellow human beings. It's all part of their own search for meaning in a constantly changing universe. When Does a Senior Need Spiritual Care?A person's well-being is defined by much more than just his or her physical health. People also have mental and spiritual needs. That's why many seniors with mental or physical conditions benefit from holistic care and counseling that addresses their spirituality. In fact, some older adults experience faster or more complete healing from injuries, emotional grief, or other afflictions when they have the support of a chaplain or spiritual counselor. And, of course, spiritual guidance can provide a sense of peace, comfort, and courage when a person is battling a terminal illness or nearing death. Other positive outcomes of receiving spiritual care can include:
What Are the Best Spiritual Activities for Seniors?As an older American, you can do all kinds of things to get more in tune with your spiritual core. And by doing activities that promote a deeper sense of connection, wholeness, meaning, and purpose, you can awaken new perceptions that renew your outlook and give you inner strength for the rest of your human journey. Every religion offers spiritual practices that are designed to bring you closer to a sense of the divine. They include activities like praying, chanting, fasting, taking part in rituals, celebrating special milestones, and many other practices. But you don't necessarily need to follow any particular religious practices in order to enliven your spirituality. Anything that you love doing, that makes you feel whole or truly alive, or that gives you a feeling of deeper connection to the world can be considered a spiritual activity. For example, consider pursuits such as:
References1 Pew Research Center, Religious Landscape Study, website last visited on February 6, 2017.
0 Comments
|