What is Mind ~ Body ~ Spirit balance?
We as individuals are made of up four separate parts of our being to make us whole and complete.
These four parts work together in a symbiotic relationship to create a healthy balance to reach a much happier and healthier self.
Each part holds a piece of us that is interconnected to all the rest and needs to be treated as a whole in order to reach our optimum state of health.
The “physical” self
The “mental” self
The “emotional” self
The “spiritual” self
When all of these are in balance with one another we feel the connection they have to one another and therefore have a more peaceful view and reaction to the world around us.
The Physical Self :
Refers to the physical body. This is an important part of one’s health as it is the container of all the rest. It houses our entire being in one body.
Keeping it in good health helps to maintain the rest. When our bodies speak to us, it is easy to assume that “something is wrong” physically, rather than to ask, “What is it that you are saying to me about my inner and outer balance as well as my state of mental, emotional and spiritual well being?”
Even though something may present itself as a physical issue, the underlying cause may be mental, spiritual or even emotional. Or even a combination of more than one.
Treating the person as a whole being, instead of just the physical symptoms they show, can be a much more healing process.
The Mental Self:
Refers to our mental health. We understand that if we are in distress mentally, it reflects negatively on our emotional, physical and spiritual health and well being.
We also realize this works as a two-way street and that physical, emotional and spiritual issues can also have an adverse effect on our mental body.
When dealing with mental issues, whether it be illness or some other pain of our lives, we must also work with the remaining three parts to bring them back to wholeness for balanced health.
Maintaining good mental health is essential in motivating us to keep the remaining parts healthy.
The Emotional Self:
Refers to our emotional side. The feelings we have at any given moment. Having a healthy emotional balance is very important.
We must find joy in life to offset the storms that come and go in our lives. If we dwell in the darker emotions as a constant it can have devastating effects on our mental, spiritual and ultimately our physical self.
Finding ways to keep our emotional self-stimulated with positive energy is a great way to maintain that balance. Whether it is something we enjoy doing or the people we love to hang out with.
It is necessary to keep that inflow of positive emotions especially when we are facing any kind of imbalance in our lives.
The Spiritual Self:
Refers to the seeker of truth in us all. That which spends time in nature and feels connected to it.
Being spiritual doesn’t have to mean you are religious. It simply means you know and understand the world around you in a different way than many others.
You feel your own truth in matters and are not swept away in the currents of “the public” belief.
When the spiritual self is disconnected or imbalanced it can cause a ripple effect through the other parts of us as with any one part that is feeling off. Bringing that part back into alignment and balance is what restores the feeling of connection to the other parts of ourselves.
To bring health and balance to our spiritual self we must do things and go places that feed that part of us, for instance:
spending time in nature
long walks alone with only the company of our own thoughts
meditation to aid in that connection
letting your intuition guide you in healing your spirit and ultimately your whole being
listening to music that gives you the feeling of serenity
feeling appreciation and gratitude for everything
These are just a few examples, there are many more that can help to heal your spiritual self. By doing these things that make you feel serene, tranquil and at peace you help to heal your spirit and reconnect the remaining parts of you that make you whole.
Now that public knowledge is realizing that we are more than our physical bodies, being healthy is taking on new meaning.
Being devoid of any illness of any kind isn’t the only meaning of health. Being able to properly take care of and sustain yourself through your illness also brings a connection of all parts working in unison.
Integrative Health Coaches are trained to help compliment your existing healthcare support. They will work with you to include mind, body, and spirit healing and bring your whole being back to a sustainable balance.
We no longer believe that having great physical health is the only way to being healthy as a whole. We need and desire to feel the balance that comes with whole body wellness.
Written by Lori Smtih
Meditation Guide & Teacher, Certified Integrative Mental Health Coach
About the Author: Lori Smith is an Integrative Health Coach with a focus on mental health as well as a Meditation Guide. Lori uses her skills as a mental health coach along with her passion for meditation and it’s benefits to create programs for mental wellness. Lori has a strong desire to help others find their inner peace through mindfulness. Lori credits her love of cats for providing her with life long “zen master support”. Lori’s own struggles with depression, anxiety and stress give her a personal understanding of what it takes to overcome these difficulties. Lori lives in rural Canada and has strong ties to the ocean and nature which come through in her teachings and her guided meditations. Lori is following her heart and has dedicated herself to mental health coaching and teaching people to find the peace within through coaching support and meditation.
@originalworks