Spiritual Health for the Global Goals
Updated: Nov 4, 2018
This year, we are focusing on a theme of Healthy Not Hungry.
At the Global Goals Australia Campaign, we look at health on five different levels.
The final level of health we will discuss is spiritual health.
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) defines spiritual health, or spiritual wellness, as “a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives.” There are only a couple of ways to connect the targets of the goals directly with spiritual wellness; however, the overall achievement of the Global Goals agenda and the journey we as individuals take to achieve the Global Goals in our own way is a massive part of our spiritual health and well-being.
Let’s first look at which targets connect to spiritual wellness.
Spiritual health is linked closely with religion for some people. Many people around the world find their beliefs and values within an organised religion. For people to practice this religion, and therefore be able to reach levels of spiritual well-being, it is important we tolerate the religions of others as set-out in Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. By tolerating one another’s religion, we will begin to see harmony in society and be on our way to achieving Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
There are many methods to improve spiritual health. Some may use an organised religion, some may employ specific meditative practices or other might just take time for daily self-reflection. Whichever method (or methods) an individual might use to improve their spiritual health, we must ensure there are safe places to do so. This touches on Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 14: Life Below Water and Goal 15: Life On Land. Goal 9 references sustainable infrastructure which is important for all buildings, including places of worship. Goal 11 talks about the community aspect, which is important for many people when it comes to their religion. Goal 11 also includes a target around green open spaces, which can be great meditative and self-reflecting locations for people living in urban areas. Goal 14 and Goal 15 are also important as many people choose nature as a fantastic place for meditation, whether it be at the beach, in mountain ranges or by a river or stream.
But the connection between the goals and spiritual well-being is not just through the targets. How we each individually embark on our own journeys to achieve the goals plays a huge role in our spiritual health. Spiritual health is about finding purpose in our life. Contributing to a cause that is greater than just any one person, or even any one family or community, is a terrific way to find purpose in what we do. The journey we take to make our impact on the world and people we meet along the way are crucial aspects to the development of our spiritual health. It is a time we learn more about ourselves and what is important in our lives and why we do what we do.
In which of the Global Goals do you find purpose in your life? Share your thoughts with us!
This article was originally published on the Global Goals Australia Campaign website.