Spiritual Growth

By Noah Rubinstein, LMHC (he/him)

March 1, 2026 Every part of our journey through this life is part of our spiritual path. Even the moments when we are struggling to meet basic needs, tending to old wounds, or facing painful tragedies are all spiritual experiences. In fact, those who suffer the most in this world—such as those born with physical differences, wounded in tragic accidents, or subjected to the most awful events we can imagine—may have the greatest opportunity for spiritual growth among us.

But what is spiritual growth, exactly? Surely there are thousands of valid answers to this question. For me, spiritual growth seems to be the practice of staying connected to my higher self while in the face of suffering. It means bringing loving-kindness to suffering, that of mine and that of others, and becoming conscious of my own cycle of departing and returning to the beautiful qualities of the higher self—such as compassion, kindness, peace, trust, gratitude, and others. Spiritual growth is a process of expansion, healing, and transformation toward who we would be were we to let go of all our earthly anxieties, burdens and wounds. In my view, the suffering we endure and the tragedies we face are not meant to diminish us, but to deepen our connection to our higher selves, widen our compassionate hearts, and help us remember the loving-kindness that is our true nature.

There are many spiritual traditions and practices, many pathways to the same destination. Psychotherapy, as I have experienced it in my own life, may not be a spiritual tradition in the formal sense, but it surely offers a powerful doorway into our inner world and a pathway for releasing the burdens we humans collect over the course of our lives. It also offers a way to deepen our connection to our higher self and to embody all the delicious qualities we long to experience in this life. Spiritual growth can happen in moments and yet also unfold over lifetimes. We never get it wrong, and I doubt we ever get it done—but what an extraordinary journey for those who are expanding consciousness.

I don’t have the answers you seek or the solutions to the suffering you face, but I can help you tap into your own wisdom, discover the answers for yourself, and find your own spiritual pathway toward feeling the way you want to feel. Back to What I Help People With.