Spirituality is an innate human quest for meaning, peace, and mystery. It is the belief that there is more to life than what the five senses reveal, more to consciousness than electrical impulses in the brain, and more to death than mere biological annihilation. It is an expression of the deeper part of a person and is often felt during times of emotional stress, physical (and mental) illness, loss, grief, or death.
People seek out spiritual experiences in many different ways. Some find it through religious practice, while others find it through nature, art, music, and other forms of self-expression. It can also be found in many of the world’s wisdom traditions, such as yoga, tai chi, and acupuncture. The key is finding a path that resonates with your soul and brings you closer to feeling more connected.
In order to understand what is meant by the term “spirituality”, it helps to explore a few of the many definitions that have been used in literature. Using a sheet of paper, write the word “spirituality” in the center and circle it. Then think about each of the definitions below, and appraise them to see which one comes closest to your own personal understanding of spirituality.
However, it is important to remember that there are pitfalls to spirituality as well. One potential pitfall is “spiritual bypassing,” which occurs when a person uses spiritual ideas to avoid dealing with painful emotions or situations in their lives.
