Before we discuss spirituality, we must be clear, for the purposes of this article, that we are not specifically referring to any religion. Obviously, we know that there are many different religions, each with its own persuasion on the nature of life and the transcendent. Spirituality, as we shall define it here, may or may not be a part of these religions—though most of them seek it in some particular way.
Spirituality is very personal, and though it may be defined by a specific doctrine or belief by various religions, it is practiced and lived in a personal way. Spirituality is defined here as access and relatedness to the meaning of life from a very personal perspective. By necessity, then, it involves an understanding of a person’s being, a transformation toward a deeper sense of self, and a connection of that self, even a oneness that transcends self and/or identity.
Those in the mental health field, defining psychology as the scientific study of the mind and behavior, previously swore off any relationship with spirituality as it seemed to be unrelated to science. Indeed, many religions often also swore off science, for it seemed unrelated to any particular form of religion. But as time has gone by there has been much research done on the benefits of spirituality and religion for mental health.
Many now understand that spirituality benefits mental health, particularly in the event of a crisis or personal difficulty. Through religion or spirituality, one can gain a sense of perspective that enables them to walk through the crisis or dilemma and even be transformed by it. In fact, research has shown that an inclusion of spiritual support is more effective than purely secular forms of support.1
On the other hand, there are times when religion or spirituality may be problematic during a serious crisis, when, for example, the crisis makes the individual question long-held beliefs or the nature of the Divine. The outcome of these problems with religion or spirituality may be that the person becomes bitter and unable to access the transcendent in any meaningful way, or they may work through their doubts and confusion to develop an even deeper understanding of self and transcendence.
Given this understanding, then, it must be concluded that spirituality itself—whether it is a personal practice under the auspices of a religion or not—involves going into the interiority of self to connect with something higher. That something may be defined in various ways, but it definitely involves some sense of self. While it is true that that sense of self may be damaged by certain beliefs that eschew self as bad or evil and in need of constant surveillance to make sure that it does not misbehave—these beliefs speak more of morality than they do of spirituality.
We sometimes get morality mixed up with spirituality. They are not the same. While some religions espouse strong beliefs regarding morality, spirituality is, as defined above, a very personal experience of that something found deep within the self that relates self to the transcendent. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we should not also live a life that is not harmful to self or other. But it does connote a difference between an external view of behavior and an internal connection to transcendence.
What does this mean then for the average client coming to therapy to get help with a mental health problem? First, it means that spirituality and religion should no longer be excluded from the conversation between a client and their therapist. Clients should be free to talk about their experiences with the transcendent, regardless of religion. Clients should also be free to discuss their atheism or their dissatisfaction with religion or spirituality. In fact, this exploration may be initiated in an assessment of the client's needs, with a question like “what are your spiritual resources, if any?”
Therapists are required by ethical codes to be understanding and sensitive to any religion or spiritual experience without trying to influence the client’s beliefs. This leaves the client free to explore the benefits of, and the problems with, their own beliefs. The hope, then, is that the client will become more clearly aware of a differentiated self, its connection to the transcendent, and a connection to the meaning of life. This consciousness may facilitate a much more fulfilling life.
References
The American Psychological Association. (2013). What role do religion and spirituality play in mental health? https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/03/religion-spirituality Retrieved 3/26/2024.
The Power of Spirituality and Psychology
26
0
29.03.2024
Before we discuss spirituality, we must be clear, for the purposes of this article, that we are not specifically referring to any religion. Obviously, we know that there are many different religions, each with its own persuasion on the nature of life and the transcendent. Spirituality, as we shall define it here, may or may not be a part of these religions—though most of them seek it in some particular way.
Spirituality is very personal, and though it may be defined by a specific doctrine or belief by various religions, it is practiced and lived in a personal way. Spirituality is defined here as access and relatedness to the meaning of life from a very personal perspective. By necessity, then, it involves an understanding of a person’s being, a transformation toward a deeper sense of self, and a connection of that self, even a oneness that transcends self and/or identity.
Those in the mental health field, defining psychology as the scientific study of the mind and behavior, previously swore off any relationship with spirituality as it seemed to be unrelated to science. Indeed, many religions often also swore off........
© Psychology Today
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Nikkei Editorial
Rami G Khouri
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
