What is Spirituality?
Welcome to our “What is…?” Series! Many of us feel that spirituality is weird, damaging, or out-of-touch with modern living. We’re not going to mince words, a lot of spiritual teaching is those things - so we’re here to help.
In this series, we’ll dive into what spirituality and related concepts are, what the latest research in psychology and spirituality has to say about them, and how you can make sure your spirituality is healthy and good for your life and the world around you.
Today, we’ll start with the question - what is spirituality? Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Defining Spirituality Beyond Religion
For many the question, "What is spirituality?" may bring up ideas of religious practice or mystical experience. However, spirituality is a broader concept. At The PATH, we define spirituality as "the constellation of beliefs, values, and practices that give one's life a Deeper Meaning." This definition shows spirituality to be a personal and universal experience, accessible to everyone regardless of religious belief or lack thereof.
Beliefs, values, and practices guide our lives, whether they involve traditional religious ideas or not. No matter what religion you do or don’t follow, a healthy spiritual life involves aligning your daily existence with your inner values and beliefs. This broader view means that every person possesses a spiritual dimension, which they can explore and cultivate in various ways.
Spirituality Isn’t Just for the “Spiritual”
Everyone has beliefs, values, and practices. As such, everyone has a spirituality. However, we understand that the word spirituality is alienating or minimizing for lots of folks - especially people who identify with more atheistic, humanistic, or secular types of thinking. If that’s you, try the world worldview instead of spirituality. On the PATH, we use spirituality and worldview interchangeably.
Healthy expressions of spirituality are actions and practices in our lives that express our beliefs and values. They can be as simple as regular calls to family members (value: family connection), setting aside time for personal growth (belief: I can improve myself), or choosing the nature-friendly option at the supermarket (belief: my actions have a wider impact).
Research on Spirituality
Positive Psychology, a branch of psychology that focuses on what makes life most worth living, provides valuable insights into how spirituality connects with well-being. Research shows that certain beliefs and values can either limit or enhance our happiness. For example, the belief that one's self-worth is tied to external success can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. Conversely, values centered around self-reflection or community connection can enhance our sense of well-being and fulfillment.
From Knowing to Practicing
Knowing what we believe and value is crucial, but practicing these beliefs and values is what truly enriches our spiritual health. Spirituality must be lived and experienced through daily practices.
“Neo, sooner or later you’re going to realize, just as I did, that there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”
At The PATH, we provide tools such as spiritual health reports to help you delve into your own spirituality. These reports help uncover beliefs and values that may be self-limiting. They also assess how well your current practices reflect your beliefs and values, and suggest ways to strengthen that alignment. This process helps bridge the gap between abstract beliefs and concrete practices, enhancing your spiritual health and well-being.
Conclusion
Spirituality is about more than adherence to a specific set of religious beliefs or practices; it is about finding and nurturing the deeper meaning in our lives through the alignment of our beliefs, values, and daily actions. Everyone possesses a spiritual side, and cultivating this aspect of our lives can lead to greater joy and fulfillment. At The PATH, we provide tools and guidance to help you explore this vital component of human experience and, ultimately, live a more connected and meaningful life.
