Spirituality is a broad concept that refers to the belief in something that is bigger than the self and that relates human beings to each other and to the universe as a whole. It is often associated with religious traditions that center around the belief in a higher form of intelligence or consciousness running the world, or it may refer to a universal search for meaning, love, peace, purpose and truth. It often emerges during times of stress and loss (physical or mental), death, physical illness, emotional trauma, and other major life events.
In addition, spirituality may also encompass an individual’s relationship to nature and the environment. It includes beliefs and practices such as meditation, prayer, journaling, hiking, volunteering, donating money to a worthy cause, eating vegetarian or vegan, engaging in meaningful relationships with others, and finding ways of bringing more love, joy and meaning into one’s daily life. It can be an important part of recovery from addictions, and is a central part of IDC and GDC’s model of treatment.
Research into the topic of spirituality is challenging, as it is a very subjective concept with no agreed upon definition. In order to create a common ground for understanding the complexity of this subject, we have divided spirituality into three dimensions: relationships, values and purpose. This month we will look at relationships, next month will be values and in June we will explore how purpose can influence the way we act.