The document is a spiritual inventory completed by an individual named Burbank. It contains questions about Burbank's spirituality, beliefs, faith practices, outlook, and ego. The practitioner analyzed Burbank's responses and found he has a strong Christian faith that influences his view of spirituality. The practitioner's recommendations are for Burbank to read two books and practice daily meditation to help open his mind and grow his spiritual understanding beyond his religion.

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Spirituality Inventory
Creating a Spiritual and Psychological Health Development Plan
Understanding where we are spiritually can help us to focus on areas we may
want or need to improve upon. I have complied helpful questions in the form of a
spiritual inventory, if you will, to get a better understanding of where you are on a
spiritual spectrum and help you design a spiritual and psychological health development
plan of your own. These questions will help both of us understand your perspective on
spirituality and overall state of wellness. Upon completion, as your practitioner, I will
discuss my findings from the inventory and provide you with my recommendations.
Understanding Spirit
This first series of questions are important to understanding what your spirit
means to you. Once we establish this understanding we can build on that foundation and
determine where to being your personal development plan.
(a) First of all, Burbank, I should ask do you consider yourself a spiritual person?
Yes, I do.
(b) When you think about your own spirituality how would you describe what it
means to you?
When I think of my spirit I think of the strong relationship I have with God through Jesus
Christ and the belief in an afterlife. That there is so much more to come then what we
experience here on this earth.
(c) How do you feel your spirit impacts your mind and physical body?
My faith teaches me to love and respect my body as it is my special gift from
God.

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(d) What is in your practice to strengthen your spirit?
Reading my Bible, attending services and partaking in small group meetings with fellow
Christians.
(e) How often do you make time for what is in your current practice?
My faith is extremely important to me and I make time on a regular basis, just about daily
in some shape or form. My faith teaches me to reach out, not to live on my own island,
and build relationships with others. It is an essential part of how I work to grow my
spirit.
(f) Do you feel you can relate to people who do not share the same beliefs as you?
I would have to say no. I respect other religions and the people who practice them, but
feel as though we are unable to make a true connection because of the differences in our
faiths.
(g) Have you ever struggled with your faith in times of distress?
No, I would say quite the opposite. My faith is what gets me through the dark times, I
feel as though it can carry me through anything.
Psychological Aspect of Wellness
These questions have an impact on your spiritual and psychological health
development plan as they add to your foundation by understanding your outlook on life
and spirit. Optimism and pessimism both have their place, but having an optimistic view
helps to prevent feelings of depression by being able to see the silver lining during less
then optimal times. Optimistic individuals often are healthier and able to ward off stress
and harbor less ill will (Seligman, 1991). These are all things that can be of assistance to
strengthening the spirit.

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(a) Do you feel your personality is more pessimistic or optimistic? Hopeful or
hopeless?
I consider myself a hopeful optimist.
(b) Would you be willing to take the ASQ?
Yes, I would.
(c) Were you surprised the ASQ indicated you have more of a pessimistic nature?
Yes, because I consider myself to be an overall optimistic individual.
(d) How do you feel your view impacts your spirituality?
I believe that through my faith any and all things are possible. My optimism allows me
to believe we live amongst healers and are surrounded by miracles.
Acknowledging Self
Acknowledging accomplishments can add to a greater sense of self and help to
understand where your heart is drawn. Finding happiness within yourself and connecting
with your spirit will help to prevent unhealthy attachments. By partaking in actions that
help to strengthen the spirit you actively work to redirect the heart and mind to view life
from a larger perspective. Seeing the bigger picture can help bring clarity to what is truly
important (Walsh, 1999). These next few questions are intended to help with that
practice.
(a) Of all your accomplishments, which means the most to you?
Being a father to my four amazing children. They fulfill my life and give it a greater
sense of purpose.
(b) What does a satisfying relationship look like to you?

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The relationships where we both/all come from the same faith mean the most to me. We
truly understand each other through our faith. That common ground is very strong and
we feel we know each other even if only just meeting for the first time.
(c) If a friend or loved one came to you for guidance during a time of need where they
were struggling with their spirituality, how might you help them back to a healthier path?
I would pray with them. Do my best to remind them that this to shall pass and that they
are not alone. I would read scripture with them and share my own past struggles and
what got me through those times.
Embracing Ego
Understanding your ego and embracing your shadow is in your best interest and
will help you to grow spiritually. When you have a good understanding of the more
unpleasant side of your personality it can work in your favor. When you are able or work
to identify the times, we allow our unpleasant side control you can then work towards
reining it in and preventing similar situation in the future (Seaward, 2013). The next few
questions are meant to help you reflect and to improve on your shadow or ego.
(a) Could you describe your ego and how you feel it my impact your spirituality?
I feel that my ego’s faith is just as strong as the rest of my personality, possibly even
stronger. I would say it is my ego that gives me a sense of confidence to discuss my faith
even to nonbelievers and keeps my feathers from getting ruffled when we disagree. I
would also like to believe it is what sets me apart and because I feel I use it to my benefit
that it is a side of me that others can benefit from as well if they so choose.

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(b) When you consider the fast past society we live in today do you feel technology has
added or taken away from your spiritual journey?
I feel it has taken away. People spend too much time indoors on various electronics. For
example, Facebook. People have hundreds of “friends”, but may only interact with ten of
them. I feel it is important to our spirit and overall wellbeing to engage with others;
create bonds and healthy relationships. I feel as though people isolate themselves and
hide behind technology only sharing what they choose and from my experience what is
shared leaves out the rough and hard times. A good portion of my faith is about leaning
and learning through the rough patches. When people falsely represent their lives as
being wonderful all the time it really leaves very little room for personal/spiritual growth.
(c) Would you consider yourself an open-minded individual? Why or why not?
At this point in my life I wouldn’t consider myself very open-minded. I feel I am pretty
set in my ways and happy with the way I live my life and raise my children always
keeping my faith close to my mind and heart. I do still work to grow within my faith and
lead by example. I do not foresee or have intentions to shake anything up.
(d) Do you believe in the benefits of eastern medicine and a holistic approach to
wellness?
I honestly am not very informed or educated on benefits of eastern medicine or holistic
medicine. I feel very comfortable with western medicine and try my best to avoid
needing any medicine at all. I do understand that people indicate having success with
alternative medicine, but I wouldn’t be my first choice.
(e) Thinking in terms of the mystic do you believe the power of prayer has healing
capabilities?

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I absolutely do, but limited to prayer within my own faith. Again, I respect other
people’s beliefs, but also want my beliefs respected as well.
Changes to Inventory
The following questions were part of the original inventory, but opted not to use
for this particular individual. They were in fact asked, but having an answer of no to both
of them did not add value to helping Burbank create his own spiritual and psychological
health development plan. They possibly gave him something to think about, which is
why I have left them here and simply making a note for future reference.
(a) Do you feel you have any unhealthy attachments preventing happiness?
(b) Could you describe a goal you are currently working on that equally focuses on your
mind, body and spirit as a whole?
Findings
After interviewing Burbank, I definitely have good understanding of where he
stands with regards to his religious beliefs and what spirituality means to him. Although
the results from the ASQ were different then Burbank expected I do believe he attempts
to view things from a more optimistic point of view, which is strongly influenced by his
faith. I believe Burbank’s religion holds him back from being a more spiritual person.
Interpretations of the Bible and the teachings of Christianity are very straightforward and
have a very strong following. It is refreshing to know he works to not pass judgment on
others for their beliefs and is extremely open to discussing his faith. Opening
conversations can expand views and keep the gears of the mind moving. Although
Burbank expressed considering himself a fairly close-minded individual he recognizes
being a work in progress.

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Recommendations
My recommendations to Burbank on creating a spiritual and psychological health
development plan will require him to do some out of the box thinking. As he expressed
limits to being open to change my recommendations may be met with reluctance, but I
will assure him there is no harm only possible growth to be attained. I would ask him to
commit to a time frame he is comfortable with. Giving him control over the duration, as
well as when to start and end the plan, may alleviate some of the potential anxiety he may
feel.
Many of the questions Burbank answered from the inventory, when attempting to
determine where he is on a spiritual spectrum, were compiled from two excellent books I
highly recommend he read. One Health of the Human Spirit: Spiritual Dimensions for
Personal Health by B. L. Seaward and the other Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central
Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind by R. Walsh. I believe Walsh’s book may help
Burbank see the common foundations that all religions share and help to open his mind to
there being more to spirituality then exclusively a singular religion. Understanding how
strongly Burbank feels about his Christian beliefs, any additional connection to his spirit
would be substantial. Likewise, if Burbank were to read Seaward’s text, I believe it
could also profoundly alter his way of thinking. Even if only a subtle change, for
someone who is very set in their ways, a little can still be considered profound in my
opinion.
I would encourage Burbank to spend time alone and gather his thoughts, out in
nature perhaps, in a more meditative fashion. I would ask that he not focus his thoughts

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on his religion or beliefs, but more inwards on his own soul and its importance. I would
encourage him to do this daily for as long as it feels comfortable and through the
timeframe he outlined for his plan. Taking notes of thoughts and feelings before, during
and after meditation may be helpful to Burbank for future reference.
Burbank’s strong foundation and beliefs will carry him through most anything, but
through his spiritual and psychological health development plan the focus is moved to
growing his spirit and recognizing its potential and unique qualities. I would limit his
plan at this time to the reading and practice of meditating/note taking as not to
overwhelm him. Burbank’s admitted lack of open-mindedness and focus on spirit
through religion could prevent growth altogether, something we are trying to avoid.
References

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Seaward, B. L. (2013). Health of the Human Spirit: Spiritual Dimensions for Personal Health
2nd edition. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Seligman, M. E. P. (1991). Learned Optimism. New York: Alfred A. Knopf
Walsh, R. (1999). Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind.
New York: J. Wiley.