Spirituality involves a person’s beliefs and practices that promote connections to the immaterial dimensions of life. It can be cultivated in many ways and it may vary across individuals. Some people’s spirituality is rooted in a religious or other faith community, while others focus on a more personal connection with nature, themselves, or their inner self. Many people who describe themselves as spiritual believe they have questions that scientific materialism cannot answer.
A sense of spirituality can bring comfort and peace in general and during specific experiences such as illness. It can also be a source of energy in a person’s life and it may be strengthened during certain seasons of their lives, such as when they are hiking in the mountains.
In addition, spirituality often entails a person’s values and attitudes toward others. For example, a person’s spirituality can include the belief that all people are equal and that love is the most important thing in life. This can help to reduce misunderstandings between different people and foster healthy relationships.
However, some aspects of spirituality can be harmful. For instance, some people may use their spiritual beliefs as an excuse to scold others or to judge them harshly. For example, a person who feels guilty about something they did may judge someone else for feeling justifiable anger. This kind of spiritual bypassing can lead to a toxic culture where people can be treated unfairly. It can also be a form of denial that allows people to ignore their own negative emotions or behaviors.