In uncertain times, people often talk about the need for “spiritual strength.”
But what does this actually entail for our mental health and well-being?
The main argument here is that spiritual strength is fundamentally about cultivating wisdom. From a psychological perspective, spirituality, isn’t about dogma or belief; it is about developing the kind of wisdom necessary to face suffering without denial, accept uncertainty without despair, and discover meaning beyond the ego. Modern cognitive scientists, such as John Vervaeke, describe wisdom in two dimensions: moral (what serves the greater good, the long view) and cognitive (navigating complexity, managing strong emotions, and distinguishing the essential from the trivial). This framework is helpful but does not fully capture the essence of the main argument: that true wisdom involves more than rationality—it encompasses mysterious and unsettling dimensions as well.
Giorgio Colli called wisdom “brutal” because it exceeds our grasp. Plato listed four types of divine madness—prophetic, mystical, poetic, erotic—that open us to something greater. Well-being comes not from control alone but from surrender, risk, and letting life surprise us.
Read the rest in Psychology Today.
FINN JANNING 