The Importance of Spiritual Guidance During a Natural Disaster

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1. Immediate feelings of disorientation. If someone has just lost their home, their shelter, a direction is often the most important thing you can offer. Understanding their circumstances and linking them to a community enables that person to find their own strength and rise above the immediate disaster.
2. Feelings of blame and revenge can be common during a disaster. But in a natural disaster, it is often Nature that comes out on top. The lack of applying our law over Nature itself, can often result in feelings relating to a loss of control. Nature can give the appearance of an enemy, especially in a disaster, but if you know the land and have a web of support throughout the entire event of rebuilding your life after a natural disaster, anything is possible. It is often best not to get bogged down with feelings of wanting to associate blame on something or someone without supportive evidence, and in a natural disaster tolerance is key, which is why spiritual guidance can often fulfil a role of guidance and keep your emotions at check.
3. Lastly spiritual guidance is essential for those seeking inspiration and motivation. Important figures from various religions from the Dalai Lama to The Pope, all have in common, the ability to motivate and inspire. Their words can be filled with hidden jewels of knowledge as well as useful things to keep in mind when faced with a tragedy, but ultimately they set an example for you to follow and it is that example that perhaps leaves the greatest impact if you are fortunate enough to listen.

*Note: Despite having three distinct reasons on the importance of spiritual guidance they are by no means the only importance of spiritual guidance during a natural disaster. Communities can play a vital role in helping those recover from a natural disaster you so if you are faced with this situation, play an active role in reaching out to your community as well as other members to maximize the recovery process. Cooperation is key, and according to a motto used by the Industrial Workers of the World, “an injury to one is an injury to all”.