Spirituality Defined

Spirituality is a word used in an abundance of contexts that means different things for different people at different times in different cultures. Although expressed through religions, art, nature and the built environment for centuries, recent expressions of spirituality have become more varied and diffuse. This is reflected in the range of language used to describe spirituality. Some of the more common themes describe it using one or more of the following elements: a sense of purpose a sense of ‘connectedness’ – to self, others, nature, ‘God’ or Other a quest for wholeness a search for hope or harmony a belief in a higher being or beings some level of transcendence, or the sense that there is more to life than the material or practical, and those activities that give meaning and value to people’s lives. Underlying many of those themes is an assumption that an intrinsic (often sub-conscious) human activity is one of trying to make sense of the world around us and of our meaning and place within it. In this context, “spirituality” becomes the way through which that meaning is sought, and can vary according to age, gender, culture, political ideology, physical or mental health and myriad other factors. For some, that way is religion. The most recent Census states that the UK population includes approximately 42 million people who describe themselves (nominally or otherwise) as Christian, 1.5 million Muslims, over 500,000 Hindus, 340,000 Sikhs, over 250,00...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Addictions Codependency Faith Healthy Spirituality art Christian church connectedness god Higher Power Hindus Jews Meditation Muslims nature prayer religion transcendence Source Type: blogs