Spirituality is a human quest for meaning, peace, and mystery. Spirituality is often related to a belief in a higher power or universal Consciousness, but it can also include more general feelings of awe and wonder. People may experience spiritual feelings at different times and in a variety of ways, but they always seek to go beyond the purely material.
Defining spirituality is difficult, and this can make it challenging to study. Even when research participants are asked to describe their spirituality, they give very different answers. This is because spirituality is a very personal and unique thing; it’s different for everyone. In fact, the more a person seeks to explore their spirituality, the more individual it becomes.
For example, someone who feels a spiritual connection to nature may develop values like compassion, harmony, and transcendence. Meanwhile, someone who is more inclined to religious spirituality may focus on faith, belief, and obedience to the laws of their particular religion.
The expression of these spiritual assets requires a desire to do so and a readiness to act in the face of challenges. For example, if a person wants to forgive others, they must feel that desire outweigh any natural tendencies to blame or respond with anger. They must also be willing to wait, as forgiveness may take time and patience. Likewise, if people want to show generosity or hospitality, they must feel the desire outweigh any tendency to be selfish or stingy.
