If you require mental health crisis support, please contact your local mental health services, your GP, or telephone 111 or the emergency services.

Expressing and exploring spirituality

Poetry and stories

There is a long history of writing and poetry being used as a way to express spiritual and religious beliefs and contemplative thought. It can also help us to understand even our most secret selves.

Poetry and stories get to the heart of issues which affect us personally, from ill health to financial problems. It is able to connect people, becoming part of an on-going conversation.

Examples

Expression of Spiritual and Religious Beliefs:

Writing and poetry provide a means to articulate and convey one’s spiritual and religious beliefs in a deeply personal and introspective manner. Through the use of metaphor, symbolism, and imagery, individuals can express their connection to the divine, explore existential questions, and share their experiences of transcendence or spiritual awakening.

Example: The works of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and mystic, beautifully capture themes of divine love, spiritual union, and the journey of the soul towards enlightenment. His poetry continues to resonate with readers across cultures and time, offering profound insights into the spiritual realm.

Contemplation and Self-Reection:

Writing and poetry offer a space for introspection and self-exploration. By engaging in creative expression, individuals can delve into their deepest emotions, thoughts, and spiritual experiences. This process of contemplation allows for a deeper understanding of oneself and can facilitate personal growth and transformation.

Example: The poetic works of Mary Oliver, a renowned American poet, often explore themes of nature, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Her poems invite readers to reect on their own relationship with the natural world and contemplate their place within the larger cosmic order.

Connection and Conversation:

Writing and poetry serve as bridges between individuals, fostering connection and creating a sense of community. They become part of an ongoing conversation that spans across time, cultures, and generations. Through shared stories and poetic expressions, people can find common ground, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Example: The works of poets like Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Pablo Neruda have resonated with diverse audiences, transcending boundaries and touching the hearts of readers worldwide. Their writings speak to universal themes of love, struggle, identity, and spirituality, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and shared humanity.

Addressing Personal Challenges:

Writing and poetry can be therapeutic tools for addressing personal challenges, including physical ailments, emotional struggles, and financial hardships. By putting thoughts and emotions into words, individuals can gain clarity, find solace, and navigate difficult life circumstances with resilience and hope.

Example: The poetry of Emily Dickinson often explores themes of mortality, solitude, and the complexities of the human experience. Her introspective verses offer a lens through which readers can confront their own fears, contemplate the transient nature of life, and nd solace in the face of existential uncertainties.

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Summary

In summary, writing and poetry provide a means to express, contemplate, connect, and find solace in matters of spirituality and personal challenges. They offer a variety of voices and narratives that can inspire, comfort, and encourage profound inner transformations, making them timeless tools for exploring the depths of the human spirit.

What Price Sanity?

"I was, it has to be said, as mad as a snake. I'd be rapping to great poets and artists, living and dead; passing judgement on death; talking to my telepathic lover; saving creation for the women; living the great creation myths and making a few more up as I went along. My mind was stimulated, and while no-one else would agree with me about my beliefs it didn't matter – I knew they didn't, I knew they wouldn't or couldn't, and I knew they never would. Within my insanity, I was happy and free and perfectly able to function in 'their' world too."

Lisa Barker

Lisa was medicated against her will and became depressed and suicidal at the loss of her belief system, which she felt was “systematically eroded by the mental health services.” She describes beliefs as the most precious thing a human being can possess, asserting that without them, life has no meaning. Lisa argues that it is dangerous to classify certain beliefs as acceptable while medicating others away and questions whether people should be given medication simply because they do not conform.

Consider more:

  1. How do you feel about the issues raised in this article?
  2. What place do you think individuality and respect have here?
  3. What does this story have to do with spirituality?
  4. Are there any parallels in this story with your own experience?