Spirituality is a personal quest to understand the big questions about life and its meaning. This search often leads to a connection with the sacred or transcendent. People may also explore spirituality through religious rituals, a sense of community, and beliefs that shape their conduct and comfort them (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).
There are many ways to experience and express spirituality. Some examples are: meditation, devotional prayer, and reading spiritual texts. Others include volunteerism, charitable giving, and a focus on family. Other practices, such as contemplation or chanting, help to cultivate an inner peace. Ultimately, a person’s spirituality is unique to them and may vary depending on their faith or belief system.
Psychologists recognize that spirituality is a necessary component of human existence. However, there is a lack of explicit integration of the spiritual dimension in current training programs. The majority of pre-registration psychology education is based on objective inquiry and research methodologies, leaving little room for phenomenological principles that would access spiritual experience (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, 2019).
For those seeking a deeper understanding of their spirituality, there are many ways to do so. Those who already have an established spiritual practice can deepen their experience by exploring their traditions. Those who are seeking spirituality for the first time can do so by dedicating their lives to a higher power. This commitment translates into less stress reactivity, increased feelings of well-being, and even a decrease in fear of death.