Fatalistic, Seeker & Liberator: How Health Mindset & Spiritual Evolution are Linked

Survival is our most basic drive, our health is connected here as to be of good health is to survive. Once we have our basic physiological needs covered (food, water, shelter etc) we can reach for fulfilment in other areas – love/relationships, self-esteem, work, and at the top of the scale reaching our potential (or spiritual evolution). This is a concept set out in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
When we are out of survival mode we can focus on thriving and we can evolve spiritually if that is something that interests us. Based on my own experiences and observations of others I have grouped together three mindsets towards our health that also show strong indications of where we are in relation to spiritual or personal evolution.
I wanted to explore these connections to provide some orientation, and to encourage you to keep going on your path and to feel at peace about where your family/friends might be on this list – we all have unique paths and it’s all happening as it should.

Fatalistic Mindset: ‘Health issues can’t be resolved.’

Health and lifestyle are unrelated, no connections are seen between eating pizza for dinner and feeling noticeably more tired the next morning for example. Doesn’t enjoy or value exercise. Only seeks medical help when we can’t ignore the symptoms any more. The body is seen as separate from the mind and emotions, body parts are compartmentalised and have no effect on any other. Over the counter medication is sought, and the temporary relief of pain, indigestion and constipation they provide are deemed the only way to deal with ongoing discomfort. Anti-depressants are used as the only, and long-term, method to deal with depression. Only knows to seek quick fixes to discomfort, and pain is an enemy to silence and get rid of. Health issues can’t be resolved.

Daily intake of toxic foods, doesn’t give body time to rest unless it rejects food via food poisoning or some other illness where eating becomes undesirable for a time (illness/colds/flus are likely the body’s way of forcing a detox and rest). Low self-esteem, self-destructive thoughts/behaviours, negative attitudes to others. Pushes feelings away, medication, food, distractions and other addictions temporarily numb painful thoughts and chronic stress. NHS works to patch us up, but we stay broken inside.

Ignorance is bliss, but is also very costly to the mind and body. If ignored the symptoms shout louder! Health is a mystery and a nuisance that limits life.

Expects pain and holds deep-seated beliefs that disease and loss of function are an inevitable part of ageing. Fear of death. Dismisses alternative healthcare options and therapies. Illness/disease becomes identity – I am diabetic.

Seeker Mindset: ‘Health is a path to wholeness…’

Has discovered favourite types of exercise (yoga, running, swimming for example), values a healthy diet, meditation and other lifestyle choices for them that promote good health, though it can be easy to slip back into old unhelpful habits at times.

There can be a tendency to attach to the healing journey itself as a never-ending process and reason to not step into personal power and take action to achieve goals – “I was a victim of… and that is why I can’t…”

Is likely to undergo talking therapies, and/or have regular bodywork sessions (such as massage/kinesiology) to support own health. Explores other mind-based or spiritual healing such as PSYCH-K, EFT, retreats, workshops, reiki, sound healing etc, out of enjoyment and to find what brings the most relief to any issue that may have prompted the initial decision to explore alternative therapies and a healthy lifestyle. May train to become a healer or therapist.
May either feel empowered or not – may still be overwhelmed by strong negative feelings at times, and not accept responsibility for our own experiences, but there is an opening ability to be able to see what we don’t like about ourselves and value learning from it, to transform and let go.

Progression towards wellness is an ongoing process/education, and a regular honest review of what is and isn’t working is useful to ensure we don’t get stuck. Health and healing is a commitment and a path to wholeness.

Feels more optimistic that disease and difficult ageing is avoidable, but still fears death. More empowered at this stage and so illness/disease becomes an experience, not an identity – I have diabetes.

Liberator Mindset: Transforms health issues through compassion, intuition & love

Understands when rest is needed (meditation, alone time, sleep, digital detox, fasting), and this is embraced. It is also easy to be disciplined and to take action that has the most fruitful impact. Strong awareness of self and own needs, life flows easily and any blocks or health issues that arise are immediately welcomed with curiosity, learned from and transformed relatively quickly.

Should negative thoughts and feelings arise they are held in compassionate inner awareness and so don’t last long.

The liberator has high self-esteem and self-love, respecting and loving all life. Has developed self-healing abilities and refined intuition, but is also happy to go to either the NHS or alternative therapies if needed. Has an established routine of meditation, rising early, exercise, positive thinking, and healthy eating etc, promoting a strong body and a strong mind. May be a healer, teacher, and/or author. Lives life from a place of trust, patience, flow and surrender.

Firm belief in power of intention, and knows that we shape our own experiences. Not scared of death or illness, has come to understand and appreciate death as part of life. Welcomes the changing seasons of ageing, and experiences the same capacities at age 70 as we did when 30, in fact ongoing learning and brain development is continual.

Health is a life-long guidance system to personal transformation. Illness becomes a teacher that will simply stay for as long as it does – I am currently being visited by diabetes.