Significance of Spirituality
Spirituality, across diverse Indian traditions and perspectives, encompasses the pursuit of understanding existence, connecting with the divine, and finding deeper meaning. It involves practices like meditation and yoga, emphasizing the importance of inner peace, moral conduct, and transcendence of material desires. Spirituality is seen as a core value, essential for personal growth, societal well-being, and even national success, highlighting a focus on the human spirit and its connection to something greater.
Synonyms: Faith, Religion, Mysticism, Transcendence, Devotion, Enlightenment, Inner peace, Consciousness, Soulfulness, Sacredness, Belief, Piety
In Dutch: Spiritualiteit; In Finnish: Hengellisyys; In Spanish: Espiritualidad; In German: Spiritualität; In Swedish: Andlighet; In Malay: Kerohanian; In French: Spiritualité; In Portugese: Espiritualidade; In Italian: Spiritualità; In Polish: Duchowość
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Spirituality'
In Buddhism, spirituality encompasses practices and beliefs for spiritual growth and enlightenment. It involves understanding existence, connecting to transcendent truths through practices like meditation, and recognizing the essence of sacred experiences.
Hindu concept of 'Spirituality'
In Hinduism, Spirituality involves seeking the true self, connecting with the divine, and understanding existence beyond the material. Practices like meditation and yoga aid in this pursuit, fostering inner peace and moral conduct.
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The concept that transcends material existence, characterized by purity and clarity beyond corporeal desires.[1] (2) The true state of being in touch with one's spirit and the divine, characterized by practices such as meditation and the growth through various stages of yoga.[2] (3) The essence of being connected to the divine or understanding one's own spiritual nature.[3] (4) The pursuit of understanding and experiencing the nature of the self in relation to the divine or ultimate reality.[4] (5) The quality or state of being concerned with the human spirit or soul, as opposed to material or physical things, emphasized through meditation and mental clarity.[5]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The aspect of life related to the search for meaning and connection with the higher aspects of existence.[6]
From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
(1) An aspect of Yoga that aims to achieve the highest level of consciousness and is well explained in Veda and Bhagwat-Gitta.[7] (2) Daivavyapashraya Chikitsa (divine therapy) goes beyond religious traditions and emphasizes this concept.[8]
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) Spirituality, when integrated with Ayurveda and Yoga, helps individuals overcome addiction through self-awareness, mental fortitude, and community support, promoting a more sustainable and effective de-addiction model.[9]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) The practice of seeking a deeper understanding of life and existence, aiming to diminish fear and attachment to the physical realm.[10]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) It cannot exist with variety and modifiability, as that which is modifiable cannot also be eternal or spiritual.[11]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Disposition to concentrate one’s attention upon the quest for the true nature of the self.[12]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A quality or practice related to the search for meaning, connecting with divine or transcendent realities.[13]
Jain concept of 'Spirituality'
In Jainism, Spirituality encompasses prioritizing the soul over material concerns, as seen in the aspirant's journey and Palaka's failing. It involves practices for understanding ultimate reality and detached action.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The quality lacking in Palaka that led to his banishment by Krishna.[14]
The concept of Spirituality in local and regional sources
Spirituality encompasses a broad range of concepts, including emotional experiences, connection to something greater, pursuit of truth, inner peace, and a focus on the soul over materialism, often linked to cultural values and personal growth.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Spirituality is a domain where Lal Ded's contribution has been inspiring, and it is considered a solution to the problems mankind faces, offering solace and peace.[15] (2) It is restored to its eternal glory and morality is vindicated beyond any doubt. It helps to bring about a fusion among an endless number of facts.[16] (3) Something that should not be omitted from Sri Aurobindo's life and thought, as it is the very essence of his being.[17] (4) An awakening to the inner reality of our being, involving communion and union with a greater Reality beyond our existence.[18] (5) A perspective that emphasizes personal spiritual growth and experience, often proposed as a potential unifying religion of the future.[19]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Spirituality, as emphasized by Swamiji, is the key measure of a society's advancement, contrasting with a civilization focused solely on material comforts and advocating for a coalition of Indian and Western approaches.[20] (2) Spirituality is a quality where Hindus are deemed to surpass other nations, highlighting the author's perception of their profound spiritual understanding.[21] (3) A quality that is expected in a country boastful of its civilization, but has not been found.[22] (4) It is mentioned in the context of Ramakrishna saying to some, "You will not attain spirituality in this life." This suggests it is something to be attained.[23] (5) It is the state of being spiritual, which requires giving up dishonesty and playing hide-and-seek with ideas.[24]
The concept of Spirituality in scientific sources
Spirituality encompasses meaning, purpose, connection, and transcendence. It's explored in diverse contexts like healthcare, work, and personal well-being, often intertwined with religion or as a separate, subjective experience.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Spirituality involves an individual's personal connection to the sacred or transcendent, and it can act as either a supporting or impeding factor in mental health treatment.[25] (2) Spirituality is explored through the experiences of Said Nursi and Aleksander Solzhenitsyn, focusing on their personal, intellectual, and spiritual transformations during their time in prison.[26] (3) Is one aspect of the orienting system that can provide an overarching organization to the elements of life and also contribute to experiences with religious and spiritual struggles.[27] (4) Spirituality, according to the text, is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose, and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred, which is an important aspect of understanding intellectual disabilities.[28] (5) It is a broad concept encompassing a person's search for meaning, purpose, and connection to self, others, and the transcendent, often linked to well-being.[29]
From: Religious Inquiries (Journal)
(1) The text highlights the importance of spiritually and religiously motivated journeys within the realm of global tourism, regardless of adherence to an "official" religion, for various reasons that can essentially be boiled down to spiritual foundations.[30] (2) Fundamentalists do not believe in its independence from religion, indicating a view where spiritual experiences are intertwined with religious structures.[31] (3) Religions have used the interpretation of world events to improve this among people, as evidenced by the use of trials, ‟imla and ‘ istidraj.[32]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) Spirituality is a broad concept encompassing values, beliefs, and practices for the pursuit of transcendence and self-reflection, which can provide a sense of well-being and reduce anxiety among older adults.[33] (2) The text considers the relationship between religiosity, spirituality and physiological markers of health, which suggests that spirituality can affect a person's well-being.[34] (3) Spirituality and/or religiousness was shown to be a moderating variable in the relationship between moral distress and burnout; some studies show a correlation between self-reported levels of religiousness and spirituality in healthcare professionals and the experiencing of moral distress.[35] (4) Spirituality is described as a multidimensional construct exceeding religiosity, including subjective well-being, the meaning of life, and harmony, according to the text.[36] (5) Spirituality is a tool in the self-directed toolbox, and can be expressed through beliefs, church attendance, or chosen belief systems to deter from suicide, offering community support.[37]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) Spirituality was slightly lower than the average scale score, averaging 1.08 with a standard deviation of 0.09, suggesting a generally lower level of spiritual engagement.[38] (2) "Spirituality" appears as a component linked to sustainability and happiness, positing it as a missing link in a framework for holistic development, according to the provided text.[39] (3) Spirituality is the perspective it takes on the relationship between people and the planet.[40] (4) Spirituality is the basis of knowledge, referring to that which gives life to the material body and the enigma that is the collective conscious, subconscious, and unconscious beings.[41] (5) One aspect shared by all faiths—this—interacts with such a reduced representation of ‘institutional sustainability’ as financial self-reliance.[42]
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) Spirituality is the construct being measured by the Malay Spiritual Well-Being Scale, with the study focusing on how rating scale categories impact the reliability of this measurement.[43] (2) This refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.[44]
From: African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine
(1) It is a foundation of all population groups since the beginning of recorded history. It plays an integral component of quality of life, health and well-being both in the general population and those affected by illnesses and promotes coping strategies for stress.[45]
From: South African Journal of Psychiatry
(1) An inclusive measure of spirituality and religiousness might be too broad and lose the core meaning of the words, which is a risk to consider.[46] (2) A significant factor in mental health, influencing attitudes and practices, with beliefs providing meaning during trials but potentially conflicting with medical treatment modalities, and also associated with better mental health outcomes.[47] (3) It involves a search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself, often including beliefs, values, and practices related to the transcendent or sacred.[48] (4) It is an area of interest that has significantly increased in psychiatry over the past two decades and is considered an additional dimension to the biopsychosocial model.[49] (5) Spirituality was a focus of questionnaires and was also studied in connection with depression in an urban clinic, as referenced in the text.[50]