In creating a spiritual and psychological inventory that can be used to determine the current state of wellness I utilized 12 questions. The questionnaire was used to interview a subject to help them understand their own spirituality and psychological self. In efforts to show the usefulness of the inventory and how it can be universally used I interviewed two different people. The first subject has proclaimed to be an atheist and a skeptic. The subject has admittedly refuted anything spiritual or mystical. The second subject considers themselves as a normal healthy person who does have a fair spiritual life. Each one was informed to answer honestly and answer in present state for accurate documentation. The 12 questions I used in the inventory are as follows: 1) Do you believe there a difference between spirituality and religion, if so, what is it? 2) What does the term spiritualty mean to you and what is the spirit? 3) In your own words describe to me a healthy spiritual wellbeing? 4) What activities do you do daily to help cultivate and grow your spirit? 5) Do you actively search for spiritual wisdom, if so how do you do so? 6) Do you feel that your character builds your spirit? 7) When emotions such as anger, sadness, or happiness arise do you take the time to reflect on them? 8) Do you take time out for yourself and reflect on your life and purpose? 9) How do you handle challenges in your life and how does this effect your spirit? 10) Please provide me your thoughts on mind-body-spirit connection? 11) If any, what are some things you do to build your mind-body-spirit wellbeing and connection? 12) How do you express spirituality or put your spirit into action? The sequence of questions I used had reason and pertinence behind them. Question one is to see what their understanding of spirituality and how it differs from religion. Many people automatically connect the two and mistakenly inner change them (Seaward, 2013). Religion is the regulations or ritual related to one s faith. Religion can be used to elevate a person s
spirituality but religion is not spirituality. I followed that question up with a two part question for the second one. With spirituality so difficult to articulate the second question is important to see how they view spirit and their own understanding of spirituality. Knowing how they view spirituality will help in determining their spiritual development. Question three, describing a healthy spiritual wellbeing, importance to the inventory to take the temperature per say of their current spiritual health. Number four question is pertinent to see how their daily life is grooming their spirituality. It is important to understand that the spiritual energy changes daily and being able to adjust to have balance (Walsh, 1999). Question five is highly important to understand if the individual is actively seeking spiritual wisdom and knowledge. The search for spiritual wisdom is vital to spiritual growth. This search for knowledge is to help accumulate information on spirituality and the effects it has. Question six which addresses character is relevant because some feel that ethical living is also part of spirituality (Walsh, 1999). Spirituality is multiple components of our life and can be found in various areas. The seventh question is important to find out if they are being mindful of their feelings and in tune with themselves (Stahl, 2010). Being in harmony with ones emotions is vital to the psychological and spiritual health. Knowing why we have certain emotions is just one step in developing that control and balance. It is also important to take time out of our busy lives to reflect on ourselves. I addressed this with question eight. Soul searching is an important step to spirituality, asking ourselves what is our purpose. Finding that answer is part of each individual s spiritual path. Nine addresses the challenges that each individual faces. Everyone looks at life challenges differently and each challenge bring a different outcome and view in life (Seligman, 2006). How those challenges are handled helps mold the spirit of the person. Question ten touched on the mind-body-spirit connection. One of life s great mysteries is how the mind and body health reflect each other.
The connection the causes the mental life to influence physical life and vice versa (Seligman, 2006). This connection can be developed and made strong by several different methods. Question eleven allows the individual to think about those methods and how it is working for them. The last question was for them to explain how they express or show spirituality. Spirituality is more than just a single stream but follows in different ways and can be seen in a person s actions. It is important to understand that our actions can affect another person s spirituality and spiritual growth as well as their own. The answers or results of the 12 questions are interesting to say the least. I interviewed two people who are a perfect representative of potential clients. I will present in detail all of the first subject s results. Then I will follow it up with all of the second subject s results. The results will be presented exactly how they replied to the question. First Subject was the atheist and skeptic. The results are as follows: 1) No, I do not believe in spirits or mystical things. I don t follow any dogmatic belief or thinking. I believe everything can be explained with reasoning and research. If the answer is not known now it will be discovered in the future. 2) As I stated before I don t believe in spirits or spirituality. Without explanation it does not exist. What others and you consider a spirit, I believe is just trained thoughts or way of thinking. You can talk anyone into believing in things that really don t exist without valid reasoning. That is why I don t subscribe to spirituality, I use reasoning and intellect. 3) I will address that answer in this manner, I have healthy reasoning through living positive and physical exercise. 4) I live within the laws of our government and keep a positive healthy lifestyle. 5) I no longer have spiritual beliefs so I do not do anything to build spiritual wisdom. 6) I believe a good character is important to function in society but I don t believe is spirituality. 7) No; I don t have reactions to emotions. I don t display any emotions
and in time I don t even think about them after the moment is over. 8) I don t think about my purpose or anything but I do think about my future and future events. 9) It is a day to day process in which I cope in my own way for each event as they come. Like collect transformers, play video games, watch T.V. and do lawn work. I don t really have reaction to challenges I just bottle it up until it goes away. 10) Mind-body-spirit connection does not exist. The spirit is not real and a person does not need a healthy mind to have a healthy body. For example that guy Stephen Hawking he has a healthy mind but his body is not healthy. 11) As I said before I don t believe in a mind-body-connection but to answer the mind and body wellbeing I go running and I do computer programing. 12) I do nothing spiritual. The second subject results are as follows: 1) I know there is a differences between religion and spirituality but I am not sure if I have an understanding of it. 2) Spirituality to me is having a relationship with God and spending that one on one time in prayer and reading the Bible. 3) A balance between everyday life and spiritual growth. 4) I pray daily and try to be positive when dealing with people and work. 5) I search for spiritual wisdom by reading my bible and going to church. 6) Yes and good character helps a person have a good spirit. 7) Yes, I think about what is causing me to have these emotions and try to discover the root cause. 8) Yes, I think about what I should do with my life and what will be the result of my life on earth. 9) Challenges have both negative and positive effect on me. I don t like going through the challenges and when I can t resolve them I get more frustrated. When I do find an answer to the challenges in life, I learn from them and try to improve. 10) Mind-body-spirit connection is important to take care of your temple which is your body. This helps to have a better life force. 11) I take bubble baths, get messages, go for walks, meditate and listen to soothing music. 12) I give encouraging words to others, try to be positive and pray for people.
For subject number one I would try to explain that the title of spirit or spirituality shouldn t be the focus. I would also point out that there are some spiritual aspects to what is already being accomplished with coping techniques and thinking about the future. This subject would be a lot of work but using their intellect and reasoning to show spiritualty could help. Subject two has a good foundation but I would encourage the subject to explore to gain deeper understanding of spirituality. I would also have the subject look for other methods of spirituality separate from religious practices that may be beneficial. I develop this inventory to help determine the current state of spirituality and psychological wellness. I am not sure I would subtract any questions but additional question could be used. Add a couple follow up questions to extract more detailed answers. I would also add a question or two about psychological wellness. I would like to add a question about past spirituality. I would make these changes to get a better feel for the spiritual state but also take a closer look at the mental state too. The additions would help get into the mind of the person and discover how the current state developed.
Reference Seaward, Brian Luke. (2013). Health of the Human Spirit: Spiritual Dimensions for Personal Health, 2nd Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781284090444/id/ch1lev1sec3 Walsh, Roger. (1999). Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Stahl, B., & Goldstein, E. (2010). A Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. Seligman, M. (2006). Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. New York: Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, Inc..