What Is Spirituality?

Like many people, you might feel confused by the word, "spirituality," because you are not exactly sure what it means. Or you might feel that it is just another word for religion. In this module, we argue that spirituality and religion are not synonymous, although there are similarities and overlapping concepts between them.

We will explore the meaning and role of spirituality in greater depth in the next section, but here (on the right) is a working definition to get you started thinking about how spirituality can impact health and healing.

Spirituality is part of the basic human experience. Whenever we search for meaning, or for a connection outside ourselves, we are acting as spiritual beings.

This section: ~6 min.

Spirituality is embracing, celebrating, and voicing all the connections with the ultimate/ mystery/divine, within me and beyond me, in experiences that give me meaning, purpose, direction, and values for my daily journey. Spirituality exists in our connection to other humans, our environment and the unfolding universe beyond, and the transcendant.