By Ana Gouveia | 15  August 2025

What blocks spiritual growth is almost always the same thing. We let inspiring moments pass without expanding them. To expand them needs to be a project we value and put time into. Modern life is too demanding for most people to take on this project, but things can change if we reframe spirituality. What if you view it as your personal healing? We live in an age when self-care is replacing dependency on doctors and drugs to solve what ails us. Yet a lack of inner fulfilment is also what ail us, not just physycal disorders.

• The joy of giving
• The pleasure in being of service
• The strength of self-esteem
• The freedom of having no secrets
• The lightness felt when shame and guilt are released
• The optimism that comes from hope

As you pay attention to these capsule phrases, I am sure you identified with them at least  little. Those are the areas that will open most easily you personally. You might, for example, have experienced the joy of giving or the pleasure of being of service to someone in need. The things you achieve with pride raise your sel-esteem. Every ray of hope sparks a moment of optimism.

Spiritual nourisment takes many forms, but true healing is intimate: it begins with an honest look at the area that is wounded. As evidence that most people find it hard to really see themselves, psycologists constantly face resistance, denial, and defensiveness form clients who have voluntarily taken the step of seeking help. Resistance and denial are even stronger among those who haven’t begun to approach their own healing.

The healing journey is unique, because you are both the healer and the healed. Tha’s an unusual point to be in, because we’re used to separating the doctor and the patient. But personal healing is different. When you act as your own healer, you gain a sense of power and control. Sel-care is empowering. You don’t set out pretending to be a therapist, doctor, or any other kind of professional. (My intention is not to lead anyone down those paths, which can be quiet dangerous when serious medical conditions are of concerm). Instead, the areas you want to heal simply rise your awareness You feel stressed or overwhelmed. You notice that your experience of love and joy has waned. You experience insecurity or self-doubt. In other words, dis-ease and unease come to your attention, and instead of passing this off, you decide to take a healing attitude.

Awareness itself is healing. It shouldn’t be something you hide from. Sit quitely, take a few deep breaths with your eyes closed, and let your attention go where it wants. If it goes to an area of tightness or disconfort, allow this. If, however, you experience pain that dosen’t start to subside, open your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and promise to yourself that you will return to this area again soon.

• What’s going on?
• Does this discomfort mean something needs to be looked at?
• Tell me more.
• Send me healing energy.
• Help me release this stress.

There is no set pattern here, since everyone is different. In the case of repeated negative thoughts, for example, it can be helpful simply to say to yourself, “I don’t need this thought anymore” or you can formulate your own expression, such as “Thanks, but this feeling is no loger serving me”. Your intention is more important than the specific words you choose, wich are there basically in order to focus your intention. Intention and attention acting together are very powerful.