What Is Spirituality?
Spirituality is a worldview and way of life that involves a belief that there is more to the universe than just purposeless mechanics, more to consciousness than just electrical impulses in the brain, and more to human existence than just our body and its needs. People who are spiritual often seek meaning, peace, and mystery. They believe that there is something greater than themselves and a force that runs the universe, and that we have a responsibility to help make it a better place.
Different types of spirituality vary in their beliefs about how transformation takes place (context), what is a person’s goal (human destiny), and what practices they use to move along their path towards this destiny. They also vary in the level of self-sacrifice that is required to undertake these activities.
A person may develop their spirituality through a religion or on their own. Whether they are religious or not, people may use spiritual practices to help them cope with stress or depression, to find hope and meaning in their lives, or to support the well-being of their families and communities.
Developing spirituality requires patience and practice. It is not a quick fix, but it is a way to increase hope, compassion, self-compassion, and gratitude in your life, which has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms and improve immune response. It also involves taking time to meditate or do yoga, which helps with concentration and relaxation. It can also involve volunteering or doing acts of kindness, which have been shown to improve emotional wellbeing.