My current series about Becoming a Well-Balanced Man now moves to the spiritual side which encompasses beliefs, self-awareness & reflection practices, ethics & morality, and connecting with something larger than yourself. I believe men need spiritual balance because it shows that you think beyond yourself and understand how to love and serve others. It also shows humility, which is an important mark of becoming a mature adult.
Earlier posts in the series described The Benefits of Becoming a Balanced Man which helps boost a man’s confidence and build self-esteem. Finding steadiness in his emotional, mental, and physical health, along with stability in his financial and social life, creates balance, fosters adaptability, and develops resilience to the challenges of life. Finding proper balance in these areas is often the difference between guys who act like a 45-year-old “boy” and those who are responsible adult men.
About Spiritual Balance
Achieving spiritual balance involves finding harmony between your mind, body, and soul. It comes by intentionally focusing on your inner life and finding your purpose. As I explain later in this post, several types of spiritual practices cultivate a deeper sense of self and alignment with a higher power. Regardless of your belief (or unbelief) in God, a set of gods, or other higher powers though, there are several ways to find better spiritual balance.
1. Self-awareness and Reflection
- Mindfulness: Being fully present in each moment without judgment. This enhances the connection to your inner self and the world around you.
- Regular Reflection: Engaging in self-reflection through journaling, meditation, prayer, or quiet contemplation helps you understand your motivations, desires, and spiritual path.
2. Inner Peace and Contentment
- Acceptance: Embracing life’s challenges and uncertainties with calm, rather than resisting or fighting against them. This helps foster resilience and peace.
- Gratitude: Cultivating an attitude of thankfulness shifts focus from what’s lacking to the abundance in life, helping to maintain emotional equilibrium.
3. Connection with a Higher Power or Purpose
- Faith or Belief: Whether rooted in religion, spirituality, or a sense of connection to the universe, having faith in something greater provides direction and meaning.
- Purpose and Meaning: Engaging in activities that align with your values and life’s purpose fosters a deeper sense of fulfillment. It also helps you maintain good mental health.
4. Compassion and Love
- Empathy and Kindness: Developing compassion for others nurtures positive connections and fosters spiritual well-being.
- Self-love: It is essential to practice self-care and self-compassion, allowing for growth without being overly self-critical.
5. Harmony in Daily Life
- Work-Life Balance: Balance between responsibilities and self-care nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. It also helps to have a healthy social life.
- Physical Health: Regular exercise, rest, and a healthy diet support overall spiritual well-being. These keep your body in tune with your mind and soul.
6. Letting Go and Forgiveness
- Releasing Attachments: Letting go of negative emotions, grudges, or material attachments brings mental clarity and emotional freedom.
- Forgiveness: Forgiving yourself and others frees you from the burden of resentment, fostering peace and healing.
7. Continuous Growth
- Learning and Growth: Always seeking knowledge and wisdom, both spiritually and practically, supports your life journey.
- Adaptability: Being open to change and new perspectives allows growth and contentment.
8. Spiritual Practices
- Meditation and Prayer: These practices quiet the mind and enhance connection with the divine or inner self.
- Rituals and Traditions: Engaging in spiritual or religious rituals offers grounding and a sense of continuity.
Finding spiritual balance often evolves throughout one’s life. Many people grow up with a religious background and never forget their childhood beliefs. Others have experienced abuse, hurt, or judgment and will abandon their church or synagogue. Many will not attend church during their teenage or college years. Some may return when they marry believing their family needs a religious foundation. Sadly, too many never return to a church so their children grow up without any understanding of religion or faith at all. Some find religion or spirituality later in life or after a major life crisis or health scare.
Mature men achieve spiritual balance by setting aside these reasons and aligning their lives in ways that help them find peace and purpose. They believe in something bigger than themselves.
The Importance of Belief
I come from a Christian background that embraces the belief in Jesus Christ. Growing up Catholic, I learned that The Son of God was not just a moral teacher or prophet; He was a Savior who taught us about God’s eternal love and the forgiveness of our sins and their consequences. After marrying a lifelong Presbyterian girl, I have since learned that my strong faith and regular church attendance do not come from guilt or obligation, but as my response to the amazing gift of grace from Jesus’ death and resurrection. This belief has helped me find more peace and contentment and the hope of eternal life with God after I leave this great earth. This belief is based on my experiences and struggles but also comes from studying the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible that point to Jesus.
Of course, other world religions like Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and smaller, lesser-known indigenous and tribal belief systems reflect a wide range of theology, practices, and traditions that offer paths to understanding life and purpose. Even agnostics (someone who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence and nature of God) and atheists (someone who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods) can believe in something bigger than themselves. If not, they lack humility which often causes our ego to create an “unbalance” in one or more of the aforementioned areas of life.
All that said, most of my writing about becoming better men applies to every male, regardless of their beliefs. In fact, many of those principles also apply to females too. But I have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as my guide.
The Importance of Finding GodBuddies
I have also found that we become better men by surrounding ourselves with a small group of guys who do life together. These are good men who learn the principles of better manhood together and how to use their masculinity properly. They also find purpose, and contentment, and learn how to find balance.
But I also believe that men are at their very best when we have deeper, more authentic friendships that I call GodBuddies. We move from being good men to becoming men who live to a higher standard. We are godly men who help each other learn emotional, mental, physical, financial, social, and spiritual stability since steadiness is critical to balance which is important to becoming an adult.
I hope and pray that this series and the need for better male friendships help you become a better man. Feel free to share this message with anyone you feel needs more hope, contentment, and how to become a well-balanced man.
Wisdom for Men is based on my opinions on topics that help men become better men. The sources used for these posts are not fact-checked, but support my theory that men are better with deeper, more authentic friendships. My GodBuddy theory is based on biblical principles but applies to all men, regardless of their beliefs. Better friendships among men will help solve the crisis of male friendships and many of today’s problems… because the world needs better men!
[Feature Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash]
