Awareness and understanding of our own spiritual and psychological well-being is vital in

creating balance within our lives. Every individual has a physical, spiritual, psychological and
emotional nature within them. The neglect of any of these aspects creates confusion within a
system that craves harmony. Taking an inventory of our minds and spirits allows individuals to
understand how balanced they truly are, and the areas that require focused, purposeful
improvements.
The following is a psychological and spiritual inventory created to allow individuals to
ponder different aspects of their whole self. Each question was designed for self-reflection and
awareness.
1. What symbolic wall have you created that keeps you safe or locked away from
discovery?
2. What higher power do you associate yourself with?
3. What is your definition of poverty?
4. What is your deepest desire in life?
5. How do you view change?
6. How do you connect with your spirit?
7. Do you believe in life after death? If so, is it a comforting or scary feeling?
8. What is your definition of balance?
9. What do you feel called to do in this life? How are you moving towards this calling?
10. What is your definition of faith?
As each question is examined at a deeper level, the individual is able to determine what they
believe, how they feel and where they are going.

Question one discusses the creation of a wall that is designed for self-preservation from
pain, rejection or any other uncomfortable sensation. In all reality, these walls are barriers to
curiosity, discovery, adventure, learning and enlightenment. This question is designed to bring
awareness to such a barrier and what potentially lies behind the wall of self-preservation. Often
when individuals identify their walls, they find that the protection they were seeking is actually
limiting their progression and ability to truly discover who they are and why they were born.
The second question truly identifies where they look for inspiration and guidance in their
lives. It is the basis of their spiritual natures to desire understanding of where we came from,
why we are here and where we are going after this life. For many people identifying with a
higher power, such as God, gives them direction in their search, meaning to their lives and values
to learn and live by. Finding our spirituality, or relationship with the sacred, allows us to
experience life at a deeper, more meaningful level (Walsh, 1999).
The definition of poverty goes much deeper than the surface, monetary level. Mother
Teresa defined spiritual poverty as she spoke of Western Cultures. She said, The greatest disease
in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for There
are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a
little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of povertyit is not only a poverty of
loneliness but also of spirituality. There is a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God
(Mother Teresa, 1997). As an individual defines poverty within themselves, they become aware
of parts of their spirit that are hungering for attention and nurturing.
Our deepest desires in life are very reflective of where our goals and ambitions lie. Many
individuals have a deep desire to be rich and famous, while others simply want freedom to live as
they choose with their families, being of service to those in need. Defining our motivations

allows us to reorient our lives in alignment with the higher power we identify with. As we purify
our desires, we stop looking outside of ourselves for satisfaction and begin to search within
(Walsh, 1999).
Question five deals with the individuals perception of change. If there is one constant in
life, it is that everything changes. Whether it be through birth, death, marriage, school, children,
and many other catalysts that produce change, our lives require that we adapt to new scenarios
and people. Our outlook on change determines if we will grow and progress through the
newness, or if we will turn in and stagnate.
Connecting with ones spirit can be done through a variety of ways. Our spirit is our
connection to the divine and each person has a unique way to strengthen this connection. It is
important to understand how, when and where individuals find this connection. The art of selfrenewal comes through centering our spirits in moments of connectivity (Seaward, 2013).
A belief in life after death can either be a comforting feeling or one that produces
thoughts of fear and judgement. For some death is a permanent end, creating within them
feelings of dread or even a lack of responsibility. Others, this life is but a moment in their eternal
natures and the choices made here determine what their next state of being will look and feel
like. Beliefs about death create value systems during life.
Each person has a unique balance in their lives. When mind, body and spirit are in
alignment feelings of peace and harmony are prevalent. As each life is different, that which
brings balance (family, service, employment, education, physical health, etc.) is uniquely
represented. For many, their lives have become so focused on one area, the rest begin to suffer.
This can occur insidiously over time. Bringing awareness to this aspect of life allows a recentering to begin.

Within each person are a set of talents and abilities that define their higher purpose in life.
The deeper meaning of our lives is constantly changing, however there is a profound knowledge
inside that drives us to do everything we can well (Seaward, 2013). Sometimes our search for
this deeper meaning in life drives us down paths that are not in alignment with who we truly are.
This results in spiritual confusion, manifesting in the mind.
Finally, the definition of faith. This word has many religious undertones, however at the
core, it is a trust or confidence in a person or outcome. Our faith may be tied to a religious
practice, to our higher power or to our abilities. Wherever it is tied, the development of this
attribute in life is essential to our spiritual progression.
This inventory was given to Kevin, a 40 year old man, who is currently seeking the path
he should take his career down. Our professional lives are tied to our spiritual and psychological
health. The inventory allowed him to ascertain strengths and weaknesses within himself. He
found that his wall is the fear of rejection. Yet, he discovered that in this fear he is not allowing
himself to open up to new opportunities, because he is rejecting them first. He identifies himself
as a son of God and looks to Him as a father. This knowledge gives Kevin the ability to move
forward, knowing there is a higher power truly vested in his progression. His definition of
poverty was a lack of resources, be it possessions, spirituality, character or relationships. His
deepest desire in life is to reach his full potential. He feels that he only taps into a minor portion
of what he is capable of and desires to become more. Change to Kevin is welcomed, because it
represents progress or opportunity in life.
He connects to his spirit through basketball, music and expressions of gratitude. He
recognizes there are greater powers acting in his life and as he finds those moments of
connection he sees them with more clarity. To him, life after death is a comforting thought, as he

sees it as an opportunity to progress and reconnect with those who have gone before him. He
finds balance in the depth of character developed through a combination of sources within his
life. He feels like he has been called to teach people to become more than what they are. He finds
deep satisfaction as he helps people realize their potential. Finally he defines faith as a power
that moves us to act. He sees it as the force that engages our minds, bodies and spirits to perform
everything we do.
The awareness Kevin gained regarding the untapped potential he has within him and the
walls of rejection he has built to protect himself has brought a desire to break down the barriers
holding him back. He was challenged to ask what fear of rejection has done for him. Has it truly
allowed him to move forward or has it simply frustrated his ability to discover his untapped
potential. Linking the two barriers brings a focus, which will enable him to break down the walls
and take the necessary steps of discovery and enlightenment. He was also challenged to write
down the questions and the answers his mind gave him. The mere act of recording and reviewing
his thoughts will allow him to see the truth outside of his mind.
An adjustment that could be made to the inventory would be the addition of one more
question: Are you happy? This question, if pondered deeply, allows each individual to understand
their level of optimism in life. An optimistic point of view allows individuals to look at
situations, see them for what they truly are, and make healthy decisions that are progressive in
nature (Seligman, 2006).
The inventory is truly an exercise in awareness and should only be done with an honest
heart and mind. As individuals open themselves to see the truth inside, only then are they able to
make the necessary changes to become who they are meant to be.

References:
Mother Teresa, & Vardey, L. (1997). A simple path. New York: Ballantine Books.
Seaward, B. L. (2013). Health of the human spirit: Spiritual dimensions for personal health.
Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Seligman, M. E. (2006). Learned optimism. New York: Vintage Books.
Walsh, R. N. (1999). Essential spirituality: The 7 central practices to awaken heart and mind.
New York: J. Wiley.