HOW TO SPA

Awakening to spirituality

It was through discussions with professionals and clients that Maud Ganry Boutaric, founder of How to Spa, realized that there was a real demand. A common need to get away from everyday life in order to recharge one’s batteries, at some stage of the day. This is how the concept was born, with the desire to allow everyone to relax, no matter the time or place. In order to have the energy to create, innovate, and prosper, it’s essential to take care of yourself before taking care of others. In 2020 Maud came up with the idea of REAL Magazine by How to Spa, combining relaxation and spiritual awakening. The aim was to bring relaxation tools from the spa environ- ment to readers, along with advice on how to live life better, and a spirituality that transforms you from the inside.

By Marine Pasquier

As Covid-19 has deprived us of exterior sources of entertainment, we have found ourselves with large chunks of free time, conducive to introspection. It has contributed to an awakening of our consciousness and an awareness of a higher force that is both intangible, and very often inexplicable. There has been a growing interest in Karma, the laws of the universe, energies, talismans and the occult sciences. The pandemic has seen the proliferation of a kind of faith that is not necessarily related to religion, but more generally, to the notion of spirituality. But is it a mere fad or a sign of a profound change in our society?

Giving A Meaning To Life

Some call it the ‘Spirit’, the ‘Holy Spirit’ or even the ‘Divine’. Others define it as anything that connects us to something that is beyond ourselves. A search for meaning, a connection between body, mind and soul. Some believe, without even knowing in what they believe. What then does it mean to lead a spiritual life? Can there be a spirituality without God?

What distinguishes the spiritual life from the intellectual life is a willingness to go beyond appearances in order to both know and understand ourselves better, and the world around us. A highly personal connection that does not cut us off from the external environment but which, on the contrary, allows us to fully experience life in the here and now, in its most ac- cessible and immediate. Spirituality transforms our inner selves by giving meaning to our actions. While some might consider that trying to achieve one’s full potential is proof of narcissism, it is in fact, the opposite. We can reach our full potential precisely because we have let go of the desires of the ego. It is then that the connection to something or someone greater than ourselves becomes possible, and we can begin to understand who we really are behind the roles that we play. When we have this awareness, it prompts us to change our ways of working, consuming and communicating, thereby elevating our soul towards some- thing specific to our faith.

Having Faith In Oneself

Spirituality is first and foremost a love of oneself, nourished by kindness, acceptance and self-focus. There are many rituals that allow us to attain this sacred dimension on a daily basis. There is no doubt that we need to be connected to ourselves if we want to benefit from a long life, but it is also necessary to remain constantly connected to others, appreciating them in all their fragility. Spirituality requires a certain detachment from the outside world, in order to be present for oneself and to refocus on the essential. It’s important to take a step back from problems, to put things in perspective in terms of our own life. We should stay open to events and anything that might happen, no matter the outcome, reassured in the knowledge that our faith will guide us along the right path, allowing us to choose with discernment, confidence and freedom. With the desire to calibrate our heart, actions and thoughts to this end, we gradually rebalance body and mind to achieve an overall sense of wholeness.