How to Grow Spiritually

Whether you are a religious person or not, you can enrich your spirit.

While spirituality and religion are often interconnected, it is possible -- even common -- to have one without the other. Your spirituality is how you view the world, no matter what your world view might be. Spirituality is meant to evolve, change and grow so that you can become a more fully realized person. If you subscribe to an organized religion, spiritual growth will include the teachings of your faith, which should instruct on how you can become a more elevated version of yourself. For those who do not subscribe to any specific teaching, spiritual growth can stem from just about any outside stimulus.

Instructions

1. Look inward. Outer changes begin inside, and if you are courageous enough to consider that you need growth, you can begin the process of change. You can achieve an inward search by either meditation or prayer.

2. Be honest. Integrity is the cornerstone of spiritual growth because you will need to behave in a manner that is authentic to your core beliefs. Admit where you may fall short so that you can fix any weaknesses. You may do this to your God or to yourself, depending on your religious preferences.

3. Educate yourself on spiritual matters. For many who are religious, this will include a daily study of their preferred religious texts. Don't limit yourself to just a single source. Immerse yourself in various sources that both test and support your faith. For those who are not particularly religious, read different books to learn how to improve yourself.

4. Learn how to connect to other people in compassion and respect. Religions and spirituality seek a higher purpose and calling of reaching above petty, negative feelings and actions that are essentially immature. For those who are religious, this connection with others will include following the example and standard set by your religious texts.

5. Translate your spiritual growth steps into positive action in your community. For example, if your burden to help the needy or downtrodden is growing, donate resources or volunteer your time at churches or shelters. Helping others can make you feel more valuable and spiritually connected to the world around you.

References

• Spiritual River: What Is Spiritual Growth, Really?
• All About God: Spiritual Growth
• Baptist Digest; A Pattern to Grow Spiritually; November 2006
• Spiritual Sea; Spiritual Growth Insight; February 2011