Spirituality – Creating Connections Beyond the Physical
Spirituality refers to a person’s
perspective on the world and the nature of existence.
This concept is frequently tied to religious faith,
but spiritual belief can exist without reference to
a higher deity. A person’s spiritual beliefs
extend beyond time and matter. They encompass philosophical
ideas beyond the material, worldly realm. However,
this is inevitably a subjective realm. Spirituality
is an individual perspective, which each person must
define for his or her own self.
Ultimately, spirituality refers to
a perceived connection. This connection can take many
forms. For some, spirituality means connecting with
the natural world. Such persons believe their lives
and purpose as intricately tied to the Earth. Other
spiritual views center on a connection to a metaphysical
realm. This may refer to a religious ideology or a
transcendent emotional experience. Manifestations
of such spiritual belief are often associated with
meditation or other altered mental states. Some simply
refer to spirituality as a connection to a greater
energy force. This force can either exist within an
individual or in some external realm the individual
seeks to enter.
There are several common elements
of spirituality, which exist across numerous cultures
and belief systems. For example, the idea that each
person travels a spiritual path to reach some enlightened
or perfected status is accepted by many traditions.
To succeed on this philosophical journey, a person
must follow certain behavioral norms and adhere to
a moral code. Additionally, many believe the spiritual
world can only be reached after some break with the
physical world. Thus, common spiritual practices include
the symbolic or literal disposal of material possessions
and worldly ties.
For some, spirituality is also inherently
tied to physical wellbeing. In fact, there is some
evidence to suggest that spiritual practices, such
as meditation or prayer, can influence a person’s
health. However, due to its esoteric nature, spirituality
seems beyond empirical study. Thus, spiritual issues
do not often mesh with scientific discovery. However,
this has not stopped some researchers from attempting
to reconcile the two. Most notably, perhaps, is Ken
Wilber who proposed the “Integral Theory of
Consciousness,” which seeks to explain the universe
through both the scientific principles of physics
and spiritualism.
Some researchers have moved beyond
human spirituality and sought to uncover whether animals
have spiritual experiences. Most notably, studies
of chimpanzees have shown that these primates participate
in displays of mourning, love, empathy, and curiosity.
This indicates they are capable of “higher”
emotions, and could possess some level of spirituality.
Building on this information, researchers have suggested
that human spirituality began prior to the evolution
of modern, homo sapien man.
Spirituality is something that each
and every human experiences on some level. It can
not be strictly defined or studies. However, it has
fascinated people for millennia and continues to play
an integral role in the human experience.
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