SPIRITUAL PATHWAYS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL

CHANGE AND RECOVERY

Spirituality as Change and Spirituality for Change

Peter Powis Consultant Clinical Psychologist Montrose Manor

Annie Louw Head: Montrose Manor Eating Disorders Programme

What do we mean by Spirituality?

Can be spectacular and relatively sudden but more often develops slowly over time

Cannot be created by self discipline alone

Involves a “profound alteration in reaction to life” (Purpose of Spirituality in Recovery and treatment)

Big Book on Spiritual Experience:

Big Book on Spiritual Experience (cont) Tap into an unexpected inner resource

identified with own concept of Power > self

Awareness of this Power > self

is the essence of spiritual experience.

“self” = egoistic “inner addict”

More modern scholars support Big Book

Eg Karen Armstrong:

Spirituality is important because:

It Changes us (“altered reaction to life”).

How does it change us?

Spiritual practices and attitudes eg “Golden Rule” – “don’t do to others…; Honesty, mindfulness, openness,

acceptance, compassion, willingness, tolerance, appreciation, gratitude

→ force us to put aside preferences, convictions and prejudices and therefore to change

Karen Armstrong (cont) Spirituality involves active engagement

(“willingness”) from a place of “not knowing” or uncertainty (“Open-mindedness”)

Not Left brain; Element of Mystery

In leaving the familiar we enter new territory and get beyond our “old selves.”

Distorted Perception:

Reality of Unmanageability

Increased willingness to try new attitudes and behaviour

Jonathan Haidt’s Research on Transcendence

Self-transcendence is a universal need

(Addiction a misguided attempt at spiritual wholeness – Jung)

Self-transcendence often sought through connectedness to a group

Isolation therefore leads to Dissatisfaction, regardless of freedom

Principles of Programme of Spirituality

Respect diverse beliefs and be accessible to all - religious...agnostic…atheistic

Culture of respect and tolerance

Timing – not too early or get pseudo spiritual change (escapist); ideally have Step 1

Principles of Programme of spirituality (cont)

Include some activity in Natural Environment

Woven into thread of overall programme and of practical relevance to Recovery

Structured and active (Spiritual change comes with discipline & active engagement)

Principles of Programme of Spirituality (cont)

Tap into experiential level (Gendlin)

Nurturing and supportive

(safety; +ve emotions)

Simple, sustainable and

“transportable”

Positive Psychology Certain “Spiritual” Practices (eg some

Meditation, Gratitude, Savouring positive experience, Kindness etc) enhance positivity;

So what?

Positivity is the means not the end (B Frederickson).

Positive Emotions (B.F)

Joy Gratitude

Inspiration Hope

Pride Amusement

Serenity Awe Interest Love Elevate functioning on all levels

Barbara Frederickson (Cont) Positivity ratio (3:1)

Individuals, Couples, Teams

Ensures thriving vs stagnation –

How does this happen?

Frederickson (cont)

Broaden and build theory: + emotions have survival value and are worth cultivating because:

o Expand cognitive flexibility/open-mindedness; behavioural options

o Enduring benefits - traits, social bonds,

inner resources and physical wellbeing. ie Resilience

IsolationFear & Anger

Shame

Emptiness

Low self esteem

Some examples of activities

Spirituality in recovery

Relationship with self and Life

Forgiveness and compassion

Integrity of the heart (cont)

What I believe about myself

What I believe about Life

What helps me connect

Higher Power

Eg Kevin McCauley MD: Anything deeply personally meaningful helps restore Prefrontal cortex and interrupt craving

Eg Family, Community, Fellowship and programme, God, Principles, a Purpose.

Is “higher in its power

Some examples of activitiesCont

Some examples of activities (cont) Specific Meditations (mindfulness

compassion; higher power; savouring positive experience and positivity)

Vision for Recovery; follow passions

Identify and capitalise on strengths

Some examples of activities (cont)

Challenge negative thinking

Processing Shame & “Dark side Light side”

Obituary group

Activities (cont): Integrity of the heart

What is it that most holds us back from living in the integrity of the heart?

Programme activities (cont)

Develop high quality connections

Contact with Natural environment

Gratitude and “3 good things”

Enhance by writing painting drawing etc

NB Tried and tested recovery tools enhance resilience Eg Serenity Prayer

Just for today, “Easy does it” and other slogans

Calm activity of orbito-frontal cortex (brain’s “worry centre”)

How are we changed? Greater self acceptance and

compassion for self and others

Greater connectedness;

improved relationships

Broader thinking and wider

repertoire of Behaviour (Greater

Resilience ? Also to relapse).

How are we changed? (cont) Beginning of new sense Purpose

Increased capacity for “distress tolerance” & emotional self regulation (prefrontal cortex governed functioning).

Greater contentment and maintenance of Serenity

How are we changed? (cont) “Realistic humility” and seeing self as part

of a greater whole

Peter Powis Consultant Clinical Psychologist Montrose Manor

ppowis@montroseplace.co.za

Annie Louw Head: Eating Disorders Programme Montrose Manor

alouw@montroseplace.co.za