Spirituality can be a broad and varied concept, but it is generally defined as the search for meaning and purpose in life. It may go beyond religious affiliation and try to reach an understanding of the universe, with the intention of promoting peace and harmony.
A sense of connection with the earth, other people, and the divine is a major indicator of spiritual health. This type of connection is associated with rationality, calmness, self-esteem, hope, and a feeling of responsibility for oneself. It can also be a source of satisfaction, vitality, empathy, and compassion for others.
It can be a path that leads to enlightenment or nirvana, which is the cessation of suffering. It can be the practice of yoga, Buddhism, Sufism, Christian mysticism, and other paths.
Secular spirituality – a term often used to describe non-religious practices and concepts that are a pursuit of personal growth, inner peace, and positive emotions. It may be a combination of the above and could include such activities as meditation, prayer, chanting, studying spiritual texts, and serving others in some way.
Definitions of spirituality – a wide range of definitions have been proposed in scholarly research. Some of these are very general and cover multiple dimensions; others are more specific, such as those that focus on specific aspects of spirituality (such as religious beliefs).
Studies of spirituality can be a challenging area of research because there is no definitive, agreed-upon definition of the term. There is also a large variation of measures of spirituality, many of which do not use a defined and objective measure of the meaning or significance of spirituality. Despite this, the field of spirituality has developed over time and is still in development.