Spirituality

Spirituality is a word with multiple meanings, depending on the perspective of the person using it. For some, it refers to the belief in a supreme being or greater power that is in control of the universe. For others, the purpose and meaning of life and the values, morals, and practices these individuals use to reach toward this purpose are the expression of spirituality. Whether there is a religious component to a person's spirituality or not, acts of kindness, charity, and selflessness often have spiritual value because they help achieve meaning or fulfill the requirements of expressing love and respect. Some also find spiritual aspects to the arts, including music, drama, poetry, and painting. Regardless of how it is felt or expressed, aspects of spirituality appear to be necessary to a sense of well-being and may be instrumental in maintaining mental and physical health.

Background

The word spirit comes from the Latin word spiritus, meaning "breath." The word also carries meanings of "soul," "courage," and "vigor." In its most technical sense, the word spiritual refers to aspects that affect the human spirit or soul, as opposed to the things of the physical, material world.

For many centuries, components of the spiritual world and the physical world were often intertwined. Many ancient people thought that spirits or gods were responsible for such natural elements as weather, disasters such as volcanos and earthquakes, and the success or failure of crops. Animals, plants, rivers, and other aspects of nature were often thought to be hosts to spirits that could have individual personalities that made them good, evil, or mischievous. People were spiritual as part of their everyday lives, as they sought ways to navigate the world around them.

Some scientists think that this tendency to believe in a higher power and seek meaning in life through a relationship with a supreme being might be genetically encoded in humans. They theorize it might have developed as an accompaniment to traits such as loyalty, love of others, kindness and generosity toward others, and self-restraint. Since these traits can be important to survival for people living in groups, they would have continued through natural selection, or the tendency of individuals with beneficial traits to survive and pass those traits on to future generations.

In some people, these traits are directly tied to their religious beliefs and faith in a higher power. Most religions value these traits and encourage them as good and righteous behavior that pleases the deity. For others who do not hold a belief in a divine being, these traits can still be present, but may be valued because of a sense of worthiness, peace, happiness, or other satisfaction they bring. Regardless of whether a person practices a religion, however, the degree to which he or she adheres to personal expectations for meeting these traits is thought to play a role in mental and emotional health, each of which can influence physical health.

Overview

Spirituality means different things to different people. Some people see it as inherently connected to organized religion and religious attitudes and behaviors. Others see it as being separate and will categorize their attitude toward faith matters as spiritual but not religious. Even among those who adhere to a specific religion, there can be different attitudes toward expressions of spirituality.

Religious spirituality is generally defined by the values and practices that are important to that religion. Usually, these have been in some way defined by a deity, regardless of what that being is called. This can include practices such as prayer, meditation, communal worship, pilgrimages, charity toward the less fortunate, and self-denial. People who engage in these practices, especially those who seem to exhibit traits that can be attributed to these practices, such as being kind, forgiving, generous, and generally at peace with their world, are often said to be spiritual people.

However, people can exhibit these behaviors without having any formal belief in a supreme being. This can include people who do not believe there is any supreme being—atheists—and people who at one time belonged to an organized religion that they no longer actively practice. Regardless of why they do not participate in a religious tradition, these people often still consider themselves spiritual. They may also exhibit many or all of the same traits associated with religious spirituality, such as kindness, generosity, and peacefulness.

Some experts believe the essence of spirituality is that it provides a way of finding peace and meaning in life. For some people, this comes from the arts and engaging in music, painting, sculpture, handcrafts, poetry, etc. Others find meaning in nature, enjoying hiking, gardening, fishing, or other outdoor activities. Some people immerse themselves in activities with family or friends, or are very active in a cause, such as promoting peace and justice; embracing a green lifestyle to protect the environment; or supporting groups that benefit animals, people with illnesses, or other special interest areas.

These religious and nonreligious ways of seeking meaning in life bring a number of benefits that may be the underlying reason people pursue them. The feeling of belonging and identity, of well-being and connection to something bigger than just one individual, can sustain a person through times of difficulty and hardship. The feeling can also shape one's relationships with others, helping in the formation of a support system that can provide additional assistance during challenging times.

Experts believe the way each person experiences and engages in spirituality is partially a function of genetics and partially a function of the person's upbringing and experiences. Regardless of the form a person's spirituality takes, many medical experts believe that having some form of spirituality is important to the individual's emotional and mental health. People who do not see a meaning to life can be at higher risk of depression, which can lead to other mental and physical health problems.

As a result, many medical facilities include personnel who are trained to provide spiritual guidance in both religious and nonreligious forms. Many medical schools are also providing training to new physicians on integrating aspects that support spirituality, from religious practices to the arts, nature, and other behaviors that will help the patient's mind and spirit work with the body to restore health or encourage acceptance of unfavorable health outcomes, such as terminal illness.

Bibliography

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