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Home > Spiritual needs

Spiritual needs

The seven spiritual needs

Based on more than thirty years of psychological counselling work, Howard Clinebell of the University of Minnesota worked out that all humans appear to have seven spiritual needs.

As you read through the seven spiritual needs consider which seem to be meaningful or relevant to you. Do you think there are any needs in particular that need more attention than others?

The seven needs that Clinebell identities are:

One

To experience the healing and empowerment of love which can be from others, self, or from a higher power.

Two

To experience renewing times where you become open to moments beyond your every day senses.

Three

To have beliefs that give meaning and hope about the realities of life such as, losses, tragedies, and failures.

Four

To have values, priorities and life commitments that are based in issues of justice, integrity and love to provide moral and ethical guidance in personally and socially responsible living.

Five

To discover and develop inner wisdom, creativity, and self-compassion.

Six

To develop a deepening awareness of oneness and connection with other people, the natural world and living things.

Seven

To have spiritual resources to help heal grief, guilt, resentment, unforgiveness, self-rejection, and shame and deepen experiences of trust, self-esteem, hope, joy and love of life.

Spiritual needs

Love: To receive it and to give it.
Hope: Something to look forward to in this life (and beyond)
Faith or trust: Someone or something to believe in.
Peace: A sense of security and tranquility.
Worship: Something or someone of highest value in our lives.

Consider more:

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Another way of thinking about our spiritual needs are those identied by the Reverend Albert Jewell, Director of the Methodist Homes.