Mental health recovery is not just about rewiring the brain or improving physical wellness. For many, the missing piece of the healing puzzle is spiritual connection, something deeper than therapy or medicine alone. In Right Now! Suzanne K. Oliver devotes an entire section to the spiritual dimension of healing, and it may be the most transformative part of her message.
After the devastating suicides of both her son and husband, Suzanne found herself broken, numb, and desperately searching for meaning. It was not until she explored spirituality, not religion, but personal connection to something greater, that she began to find peace. In this blog, we explore how spiritual healing plays a powerful role in overcoming anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
What Does “Spiritual Healing” Mean?
Suzanne is quick to clarify: spiritual healing is not about religion, it is about energy, connection, and inner purpose. Whether you believe in God, the universe, or the simple power of love and nature, this section of the book helps readers explore their own spiritual path.
As she writes, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” This mindset, borrowed from philosopher Teilhard de Chardin, sets the tone for the healing practices Suzanne presents.
Energy: Raising Your Vibration
Emotional pain often drags us into a low vibrational state, shame, fear, guilt. Suzanne introduces readers to the concept of raising your vibration, or lifting your energetic state through actions that promote joy, peace, and gratitude.
Some high-vibration activities include:
- Practicing forgiveness (toward others and yourself)
- Listening to uplifting music
- Spending time with animals
- Laughing, dancing, or being creative
- Expressing kindness and compassion
By choosing activities that raise our frequency, we shift our internal environment, sometimes before we even shift our thoughts.
Prayer and Meditation: Stillness with Purpose
Prayer is not limited to pews and rituals. In Right Now!, Suzanne encourages readers to create their own form of prayer, whether it is speaking to a higher power, journaling intentions, or simply setting a quiet hope for the day.
Meditation is also highlighted as a science-backed method to reduce anxiety, calm racing thoughts, and deepen self-awareness. Even just five minutes of silence a day can change the way you experience stress.
Suzanne also recommends guided meditations for beginners (many are available free on YouTube or apps like Calm and Insight Timer).
Music, Sound, and Vibration
Healing happens through sound as much as words. Suzanne explains how vibrational sound therapy, singing bowls, Reiki, and even just calming playlists can:
- Soothe the nervous system
- Open emotional blockages
- Reconnect you to your body and breath
She also introduces the idea of healing crystals, color therapy, and sacred frequencies, which may feel unconventional to some, but have been used in spiritual traditions for centuries to support wellness.
Nature, Sunshine, and Animal Therapy
Sometimes, the best therapy is not in an office, it is outside. Suzanne reminds us that sunshine increases serotonin, nature reduces cortisol, and even a short walk outdoors can shift your mood dramatically.
She also discusses the healing power of animals. Pets offer nonjudgmental love, reduce loneliness, and provide routine, especially crucial for those battling depression.
Whether it is hugging your dog or watching birds, these quiet, grounding moments are potent medicine for the soul.
Laughter and Joy as Medicine
In our darkest times, joy can feel like a betrayal of our pain. But Suzanne makes the case that laughter is essential to healing. It does not deny suffering, it reminds us that beauty still exists.
Watch a funny movie. Share a joke. Be silly. Laughter releases endorphins, boosts immunity, and gives us strength to keep going.
Final Thoughts: Soul-Centered Healing
Suzanne K. Oliver does not pretend that spiritual practices will erase pain. But she does believe that they create space for peace, perspective, and profound inner strength.
The spiritual tools in Right Now! Are diverse, inclusive, and non-dogmatic. Whether you are agnostic, devoutly religious, or somewhere in between, this section of the book invites you to explore what brings you closer to healing, not just in your head or body, but in your spirit.
In Suzanne’s words: “Healing needs to occur in all areas of our life, mind, body, and spirit.”
To explore the full range of spiritual healing tools, visit Suzanne K. Oliver’s website or purchase the book on Amazon.
