We all need spiritual experiences.

There's no substitute for a vibrant spiritual life. A rich inner life is essential to human flourishing. If we want to live life to the fullest, we need to give priority to the spiritual aspect of who we are. 

"I am not a spiritual person," some people will say. It's not true. It's a denial of reality. It's insanity. It's a delusion that will continue to clash with reality until alignment is reached. It's like saying there is no such thing as gravity. 

We all need to overcome something, we all need to recover from something, in order to make the onward journey. Without a spiritual experience, there is no hope. Without a spiritual experience, you will not get healthy.

Lady Julian of Norwich, an English mystic of the 14th century, had a series of spiritual experiences that made her healthy again. Not just physically, but spiritually.

At the age of 30, Julian found herself on her deathbed. All seemed to be over, without any hope. The priest gave her the Sacrament of Last Rites. He held a crucifix in front of her eyes, and told her to stare at it.

When she did, she found herself absorbed in a vision. Sixteen visions, actually. She would later write about them in the book she is known for today, The Revelations of Divine Love. This is also the first book known to have been written by a woman in the English language. In it, she describes the infinite love God has for every human being. 

Her most famous saying in the book is, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." It was a spiritual experience that allowed Julilan to move beyond her fear and hopelessness into a state of sheer confidence in God. A place of true faith.

Anytime you get to a place of hopelessness, or find yourself on a path that seems to be leading there, seek out a spiritual experience. Don't wait for a powerful spiritual experience to come to you, seek it out. Go looking for it. The best way to predict the future is to create it. And the best way to create it is in collaboration with God.

Ask God to feed your soul. He may not do so in dramatic visions like Julian of Norwich, but he will feed you with the spiritual experience he knows is best for you.

Patron Saint of: Solitude, Solitary Women, Writers, and Cats

Also Known As: Dame Julian of Norwich, Mother Julian

Feast Day: May 8

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Victor Maurus of Milan, Saint Boniface IV, Saint Benedict II, and Saint Arsenius the Great