How do Wellbeing and Spirituality connect?
On Tuesday 2nd December we are running the next session of our popular webinar “Connecting Faith and Wellbeing” …. here Andy explains something of why this is important in our work. You can find out more about the webinar below
In 2002, two researchers called Hay and Hunt looked into spirituality and spiritual practice in the UK. What they found surprised them, as many were predicting at the time that religion and faith was a dying ember. Instead their research found huge leaps in positive responses to basic spiritual questions - people’s sense of something more. They coined a phrase “meaning making” for the way that spirituality allowed people to make sense of the world around them.
At about the same time, wellbeing books, ideas and programming were on the increase. Mindfulness was beginning to become mainstream in NHS practice. A few years later, Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Eat, Pray, Love” - chronically a journey of self-discovery - spent 187 weeks in the New York Times Best Seller List.
About the same time, the first shoots of what was to become Space to Breathe began, as I began to experiment with the creative arts, non-religious spirituality, positive psychology and wellbeing in an attempt to find a more holistic way to talk about and practice good wellbeing and improve mental health.
Connecting Faith and Wellbeing
Our webinar, coming up on 2nd December, tries to bring these simple threads together. How is spirituality being used in more positive and healthy living? What does it mean for faith groups, informal spiritualities and the way we talk about our selves and living positiviely in the world?
This webinar feels particularly timely right now. News media have been alive recently with comment about increases in religious attendance in the UK. This is something I’m very sceptical about - figures in the Church of England for example remain way below pre-pandemic levels.
However, that people feel more comfortable to talk about spirituality is something we see both anecdotally and statistically. The world of wellbeing feels like a cross-over point for this and something we’re keen to explore - allowing people to include this part of themselves in a holistic view of being healthy and having good mental health.
Why should I join the webinar?
We’d love to invite you to the join the webinar. This 2.5 hour session is £10/person and will equip you with language and ideas to connect these two worlds together. The session is particularly helpful if:
You’re intrigued with the link between spirituality and wellbeing and want to explore it.
You’re involved in the world of faith and spirituality and want to explore the ideas of wellbeing and maybe start something new yourself.
You’re interested in a whole-person approach to wellbeing and mental health
PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID …
“Informative, helpful and insightful”
“Andy has connected the world of faith with the principles of wellbeing really well.”
“We enjoyed attending your workshop a couple of weeks ago, particularly the Shh meditation. You’ve got a lot to offer groups on the margins of faith or those searching for inclusive, relevant opportunities for reflection at this time.”
“An absolutely brilliant meeting.”
You can book a slot on the course below.