Why Spiritual Undernourishment Has the World on Crisis Alert

The variety, number, and intensity of global crises appear to be increasing. Some notable current examples include famine, lack of healthcare infrastructure, population displacement, and general poverty in countries such as Niger, Zimbabwe, Chad, Zambia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, and Syria. A further example is armed conflict which, according to the Geneva Academy, is currently unfolding in more than 110 zones across the world.

There is also a widely held view that we are currently experiencing a climate and environment crisis, which is consistent with the fact that 18 governments and the European Union have declared a state of climate emergency. Linked to this is the biodiversity crisis, whereby according to the United Nations, up to one million species are currently facing extinction.

In addition to disease outbreaks and pandemics, other examples of global crises are mental illness as well as overweight and obesity, which based on estimates by the World Health Organization, are both increasing in prevalence and affect approximately 20 percent and 18 percent of children and adolescents worldwide, respectively.

What's Causing These Crises?

Knowledge of the extent and causes of each of these global crises is important for developing effective remedial strategies. However, many of the government, private sector, and public sector organisations interested in understanding and addressing such crises invariably relate to them in isolation from each other, without necessarily looking for a deeper underlying cause.

Conversely, I believe a more encompassing and insightful approach is needed, which acknowledges the possibility of a more systemic underlying issue that links together and propagates such crises. More specifically, I am alluding here to what I identify as a diminishing ability within modern society for people to foster a loving and compassionate relationship not only with themselves but also with others and the world around them.

There are many psychological terms that could be used to define the nature of this behaviour, such as “persistent dissatisfaction disorder” or “impaired self-regulatory capacity.” However, I prefer the term “spiritual undernourishment.”

In other words, it appears that at an increasing pace across the global population, we seem to be losing the ability to simply be with ourselves. Fewer and fewer people seem to be able to cultivate a deep connection with their innermost selves, along with a sense of peace and inner contentment that stems from this.

Without these spiritual foundations, it is perhaps easy to understand why there appears to be a propagation of impatience, closed-mindedness, animosity, intolerance of opposing views, and general cold-heartedness, all of which are likely precursors to the world functioning in an unbalanced and chaotic manner.

The Distracted Mind

One explanation for this weakening of the fabric that holds society together is an increase in demand for our attention, accompanied by a lack of knowledge of how to relate to such distractions in a healthy manner.

For example, today there are many different forms of work we can choose to undertake, as well as many different types of exercise, sports, hobbies, entertainment, and vacation. Furthermore, for those with the means to enjoy them, there is a vast selection of food types, restaurants, transport modes, television channels, reading materials, and technology devices. And if we are not satisfied with the variety available to us in terms of how to spend our time in the physical world, we can plug into the online world, to encounter a seemingly unending number of online activities and virtual destinations.

With all of these choices, it can be difficult to understand why so many people struggle to cultivate a lifestyle that is conducive to happiness and well-being. However, a problem with such competition for our attention is that it can lock us into a cycle of being permanently distracted.

We finish one activity only to immediately start the next. A break from work corresponds to checking what’s happened on social media. Taking some downtime means being glued to the television or a computer game. Or going for a walk means ruminating over our problems or plans. Before we know it, there arrives a point where amid so much choice, we effectively become choiceless, compelled by the need to be doing something.

Spirituality Essential Reads

The Spiritual Path to Nowhere

How to Alchemize a Desire for Destruction Into Connection

Being permanently distracted, including from ourselves, leaves little opportunity to listen to ourselves. It leaves no opportunity for the heart and mind to grow—no opportunity to step back, breathe, and simply experience our existence.

The connection to the source of spiritual energy that exists inside and around us becomes severely weakened, and, I contend, we ultimately end up feeling lost and exhausted. It also becomes very difficult for us to perceive the deeply interconnected nature of all phenomena, including how our inner psychological world influences our outer physical world, and vice versa.

The Power of Thoughts

Society today tends to recognise and place emphasis on the creative potential of words and actions, as these reflect tangible phenomena that can be heard or observed. However, while a thought is not something that can be seen, heard, or physically touched, as with all things, thoughts and consciousness contain energy.

Modern science still has much to learn about just how powerful this psychological energy is, including the extent to which one person’s thoughts can directly influence another’s, as well as the extent to which mental energy can directly influence the physical and natural environment.

Nevertheless, even at an elementary level, it is not difficult to understand how thoughts give rise to, and in many respects govern, our actions and words. Indeed, the mental activity of every living being asserts a major creative influence on the world around them.

Whether they know it or not, and whether they like it or not, every person on this planet is “a creator.” In this present moment, through our mental activity as well as the actions and words it elicits, we are individually and collectively creating the future of the planet.

In other words, if enough minds on this earth are in a permanent state of distraction such that thoughts and feelings arise in an unchecked and chaotic manner, the collective stress, negativity and confusion this creates could ultimately spill over onto the physical and natural environment, as well as diffuse throughout society more generally.

Conversely, cultivating inner awareness, including of our thoughts, feelings, and other mental processes, could not only help us to appreciate our existence and understand just how influential we are, but also help us to generate a much calmer and compassionate form of mental energy.

Consequently, I would argue that we each have a responsibility to cultivate loving, wholesome and wise thoughts, and foster an awareness of what is happening inside our minds.

A Point of No Return?

If it is accepted that levels of spiritual awareness are indeed diminishing, then when combined with rising global population levels and limited resources to sustain this population, it reflects a set of circumstances unconducive to global stability.

We can continue to label and address each global crisis on an individual basis and take reactive measures to try and resolve them. However, if we fail to appreciate that there exists a common thread that connects these crises, and if we fail to probe deeper and acknowledge all of the underlying causes, including those that are of a subtle spiritual nature, then it is inevitable that global emergencies will continue to emerge, probably at an increasing frequency.

It takes courage for politicians or scientists to declare, for example, a climate or mental health crisis. But I believe an even more courageous, wise and truthful approach is required, in order to acknowledge and take action in respect of a global spiritual crisis that if left unchecked, could increase the number and intensity of global emergencies beyond a point of no return.