Spirituality brings balance, connection, peace Published Feb. 16, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series of articles about personal wellness. The electricity that courses through a person's veins and brings them to life has been known by many names and has been a source of curiosity and wonder since the beginning of humanity. Boiled down to its rawest form, spirituality is a sense of something bigger than one's self, whether it's a religion, a philosophy or a connection to nature. Chaplain (Capt.) Eric Whitmore, training branch chaplain, said, "Normally, spirituality refers to the general state of our humanity. We are all spiritual beings that respond to the world around us, or the divine within us. Religion is the practice, or outward expression, of that spirituality. All of us have spirituality, but not all of us practice religion." Each person is molded by their environment and life experiences. They're influenced by their society, their community, their families and their decisions.Because of this, it's important for each individual to use those experiences to discover their spiritual truth. "Without purpose, we can't wake up and face the day, much less succeed," Chaplain Whitmore said, "I would argue that seeking a deeper purpose is more important than finding it. The journey is what matters." There are times in every life that pierce people deep and cause a person to question what they believe. This can either create a renewed strength and resilience, or it can cause them to lose faith in themselves, the world they live in and everything they ever thought was true. Chaplain Whitmore said that when a person feels spiritually empty, it's often a result of struggle or loss and that when people give up on their faith it can be because they are grieving in some way. "Everyone has a spirit. That spirit yearns to know itself, to seek other spirits, and to understand something larger than itself. When that spirit is crushed by abuse, pierced by trauma or lacerated by simple misunderstanding, it's emptied out a bit," he said, "As pain mounts, the spirit loses its ability to feel altogether. That kind of emptiness is not just tragic, it's destructive. Our goal as chaplains is to help fill that spiritual void." Chaplain Whitmore said that just like physical muscles, faith can atrophy if not exercised regularly. "For example, we strain our muscles to gain strength, run further than 3 miles to run a faster 1.5 miles, eat better food to lose weight. Spiritually, it's no different. We need to exercise our spirit by actively practicing our faith," he said. Chaplain Whitmore said that new physical fitness standards have caused a cultural change across the Air Force. When he first joined, people were allowed to smoke in their offices and the only physical training required was a yearly 1.5 mile run. Now he runs with his unit three times a week and fewer airmen smoke than ever. "Integrating spirituality and faith takes the same kind of change in our lives," he pointed out. "If someone is serious about developing their spirit, they should make their faith practices as much a part of daily life as possible. Do what your faith requires. Be consistent, persevere and you'll see results over time. I can now run 1.5 miles faster than I could when I was 23, thanks to the Air Force PT program. I also have peace because of daily, practiced faith." To Chaplain Whitmore, integrity first goes deeper than the honesty and accountability that often defines it. "The word integrity comes from the Latin word 'integer.' Any math major would know that an integer is a whole number," he said, "So, to have integrity means to be whole, not simply honest or doing the right thing. When we feel divided or broken, whether physically, mentally or spiritually, we aren't whole. We can't just separate all that out." There are infinite ways to integrate spirituality into everyday life, including prayer, reading books about different faiths and philosophies, getting outside into nature, trying yoga or martial arts, practicing rituals such as lighting incense or candles or just sitting quietly and reflecting on the world. The key is for each person to find what they enjoy and what works for them. "If we are physically and mentally fit, but not spiritually fit, things just don't seem to work right," Chaplain Whitmore said. Balance is essential to a long and fulfilling life. Whenever someone begins to tumble out of balance, the struggle seems to spread to all areas of their life. Not only does spirituality restore balance and bring a deeper sense of connection to something bigger, it also reduces everyday stress. "Many clinical studies show how faith, and in particular prayer, help the body and mind relieve stress. Spiritual well-being enhances physical and mental wellbeing, just as getting a good night's sleep can help a person on a college exam," Chaplain Whitmore said. "When people are rooted in their faith, using daily devotions or weekly rituals, they experience peace. That peace translates into a peaceful life, which can ease stress and anxiety." He suggests that those who are looking for assistance on their spiritual journey, or just someone to talk to, contact a chaplain. "We have a lot of experience and knowledge of various faith groups and spiritual paths," He said, "Chaplains come from a specific faith background, but we are trained to assist people of all faiths, and we can join you in your journey of discovery." To talk to a chaplain, call the Triangle Chapel, 377-2520; 81st Medical Group Hospital Chapel, 376-3094; or Larcher Chapel, 377-4859. After duty hours, call 377-4330.