what are the theories of spirituality

The best explanation for the effectiveness of spiritual interventions, whether performed by ancient shamans or modem day therapists, is that they draw upon the healing power of our "life force": our body's natural inclination to survive. Spirituality can involve a sense of "connectiveness" to the spiritual nature of the universe. Adults who do not move past this stage tend to engage in antisocial and/or criminal behavior because they cannot obey rules. Basing his model on the theories of Piaget and Kohlberg, Fowler describes the stages through which individuals pass as their faith matures. First, I will discuss the three concepts of faith, spirituality, and religion. Belief in spirits grew out of attempts to explain life and death. The word spirituality comes from the Latin root spiritus, which means "breath"--referring to the breath of life. Spirituality is the fastest growing--one of the only growing--sector of the publishing industry, with literally millions buying books on the theme. Traditionally, spirituality referred to a religious process of re-formation which "aims to recover the original shape of man", oriented at "the image of God" as exemplified by the founders and sacred texts of the religions of the world. Instead, the social, psychological, emotional, and spiritual components of human beings need to be addressed. Modern doctors don't give shamans much credit because they fail to subject their healing procedures to scientific verification. Spirituality relates more to your personal search, … Stich signed up for an adult class in the Jewish mystical tradition because she thought it might give her the spiritual tools she needed to make herself happy. I knew these things had gone on for millions of years before I came and that they would go on for millions of years after I'm gone. Herbert Benson has demonstrated in his research that while chronic stress is harmful to the body, daily meditation (a form of spirituality) can reduce stress and promote relaxation and overall well-being. Neo-Piagetian and postformal theories of cognitive … Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. Recently, however, The National Institute of Health Care Research, a nonprofit organization, began awarding grants up to $15,000 in support of academic projects exploring spirituality and psychiatry. Indeed, new evidence shows that religious and spiritual interventions can help when everything else has failed. Even an agnostic can develop spirituality without a firm belief in Deity. TIME IN NATURE For Henry David Thoreau, who fled civilization to live on Walden Pond, nature was the temple of God and the perennial source of life. The anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor (1832–1917) defined religion as belief in spiritual beings and stated that this belief originated as explanations of natural phenomena. This is a common theme in spirituality — how we are all connected to each other, and how we can all co-exist and thrive together. Me, a grown 31-year-old man. Abstract The aim of this paper is to discuss and explore the interrelation between two concepts, attachment theory and the concept of spirituality, which are important to palliative care and to founding a multivariate understanding of the patient’s needs and challenges. This paper reviews recent theories and research in cognitive development and spirituality with the aim of providing connections between the two domains. She said, "In that moment I felt eternity. Many feel more comfortable referring clients struggling with these issues to a priest, pastor or rabbi. Harvard University is one pioneer in the field of spirituality and mental health. Kabbalah is about wonderment." Jung emphasized the importance of balance and harmony. He is the president of the Humanistic Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association and author of Beyond Religion: A Personal Program for Building a Spiritual Life Outside the Walls of Traditional Religion (Quest Books, 1998). RELAXATION AND MEDITATION "There is no greater source of strength and power for me in my life now than going still, being quiet and recognizing what real power is," says Oprah Winfrey on the segment of her daily television show called, "Remembering Your Spirit." Now in its fifth year, the course, under the direction of Herbert Benson, M.D., chief of the Division of Behavioral Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, attracts approximately 1,000 physicians, psychologists, nurses, clergy, social workers and health care administrators. Why Do Antiheroes Appeal to People With Dark Traits? Theories of Spiritual Development - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. (American Journal of Public Health, 1998). As such, it is a universal human experience—something that touches us all. (Fredrickson, 1998, 2001). The trend toward alternative forms of spirituality figures prominently on the spiritual landscape of America. … This is the stage where children who have simply learned to obey parents and authority figures tend to be. DEPRESSION Women with pious moms are 60% less likely to be depressed in 10 years than women whose mothers aren't so reverent, according to a Columbia University study. Coparenting With an Ex: Battleground vs. Common Ground. At this stage, people’s behavior is chaotic and unstable. Interest is spreading. Those who do engage in this skepticism move away from the simple, official doctrines. SPIRITUAL READING Every world religion has writings it considers sacred. In this system, the shaman--a person attuned to the spiritual world--was the archetypal healer. He cautioned that modern humans rely too heavily on science and logic and would benefit from integrating spirituality and appreciation of the unconscious realm. Many people working in a scientific and technical field may question spiritual or supernatural forces because they are difficult to measure or prove scientifically. Four Great Ways to Begin Your Spiritual Journey. A Buddhist would have a different definition of spirituality. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. But this rekindling of interest is not only a return to traditional religion. When members of a tribe fell ill, the shaman used spiritual interventions to bring the patient back into harmony with the sacred world, to bring back their health. As an adult, Freud considered himself an atheist, but his Jewish background and upbringing and background played an important role in the development of his ideas. This theoretical framework is a synthesis and elaboration upon the behavioral/cognitive approach to spirituality (Brown, Peterson, & Cunningham, 1988). Though dozens of studies have begun to examine religion's effects on our mental health, the subject has lacked sufficient funding for more in-depth research. I was deeply moved and began to cry.". This is the stage where very young children tend to be. I began to cry. Scribd is the world's largest social reading and publishing site. "Religion is basically a container for faith. In the 1990s and as we approach the millennium, it is obvious that Americans are becoming more expressively spiritual. This type of interconnectedness spoken of in spiritual teachings is also demonstrated by science. What is good therapy without these things? "I felt there was something spiritually lacking," says actress/comedian Sandra Bernhard of her Jewish upbringing. This force goes beyond space and time f Spirituality offers a sense of connectedness intrapersonally (connected within oneself) Interpersonally (connected with others and the environment) and Transpers… Spirituality means different things to different people. Spirituality is also a way of dealing with everyday challenges in life and … This is the easiest and sweetest mode of the spiritual path. Many “religious” people who have blind faith in a spiritual being without question may also be at this point. Early animistic cultures believed spirits controlled everything, including sickness and health. In this stage, you begin to realize that there is more to life than personal power and material … Let's look at two theories … Compared to the Catholic theology she was raised with, Madonna believes that Kabbalah is more adaptable to modern life. PHOTO (COLOR): Prayer may be the oldest spiritual practice and the most popular one in America. There are many explanations for the shamans' success rate. takes into account cognitive and philosophic areas of thought as well as aspects of emotions and behavior Giving. He bases his stages on the work of Fowler. Browse at your local bookstore or library until you find something that speaks to you. A Christian might define spirituality as the quality of their relationship with Christ. There are theoretical gaps to be filled. What Really Goes on in the Mind of a Cheater? Then, I help them design a regular, structured program to incorporate these activities into their life. FDT gives insight into spiritual and religious development using a non-sectarian approach. This is the stage of loving others as one loves oneself, losing attachment to ego, and forgiving enemies. But shamanism may succeed for reasons beyond our current understanding, and without scientific inquiry, its healing power remains an enigma. As the sun was setting, she climbed onto a boulder at the water's edge. For some, it's primarily about a belief in God and active participation in organized religion. Adults who are good, law-abiding citizens may never move past this point. MORTALITY Research on 1,931 older adults indicates that those who attend religious services regularly have a lower mortality rate. For thousands of years, long before the advent of modern medicine, people looked to spirituality for cures. Almost all world religions consider a form of it central to spiritual life. In 1990, Edward P. Shafranske, Ph.D., of Pepperdine University, and H. Newton Maloney, Ph.D., of Fuller Theological Seminary, surveyed 409 members of the American Psychological Association about their approach toward religion and psychology. Individuals have no care for rules and lack empathy for others. Nearly all respondents said they have assessed patients' religious backgrounds; 57% have used religious language or concepts with patients; 36% have recommended participation in religion; 32% have recommended religious or spiritual books; 24% have prayed privately for a patient; and 7% even prayed with a client. It involves opening our hearts and cultivating our capacity to experience awe, reverence and gratitude. Primitive people used human dreams in which spirits seemed to appear as an indication that the human mind could exist independent of a body. The theory of spirituality referring to spiritual aspects taught to us by the members of Spiritual World Division through the mediator of spiritual beings, Divine Master Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr., the greatest teacher of Rubenian Era who made it possible to transfer spiritual knowledge to his followers. Daughters belonging to the same religious denomination as their mothers are even less likely (71%) to suffer the blues; sons were 84% less likely (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1997). Television programs such as Bill Moyers' "Genesis: a Living Conversation" and Hugh Hewitt's "Searching for God in America" have attracted large audiences. The great spiritual traditions of India commonly teach that the world is Maya, … I told my story, the one I had rehearsed, but he heard the truth anyway. Models of spiritual development follow the same basic outline of development. IMMUNITY Research on 1,700 adults found that those who attend religious services were less likely to have elevated levels of interleukin-6, an immune substance prevalent in people with chronic diseases (International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 1997). Near the end of the session, he said gently, "You are spiritually hungry." The word spirituality comes from the Latin root spiritus, which means "breath"--referring to the breath of life. Spiritual interventions heal--sometimes when traditional psychotherapy fails--because they untie the mental and emotional knots that prevent the life force from doing its work. fConcept Of Spirituality Spirituality gives individuals: Energy- needed to discover themselve, to cope with difficult situations, and to maintain health. It helps clients feel well and guides choices made throughout life. Kabbalah, an increasingly popular Jewish mystical tradition that developed in the 13th century, "offers a spiritual basis for all Jewish practices and traditions," Bernhard explains. The individual does not judge people harshly or seek to inflict punishment on them for their transgressions. Not only do they use herbal preparations, such as Echinacea, that many of us now rely on, but they also use rituals and procedures that surprisingly resemble contemporary psychotherapies: Shamans establish rapport; they diagnose the problem; they initiate a healing process that often involves sophisticated use of imagery, dream interpretation, self-regulation and group support, says Krippner. Though not all positive emotions stimulate a self-transcendent state, some increase with practices in spirituality. David N. Elkins, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. By David N. Elkins Ph.D. published September 1, 1999 - last reviewed on June 9, 2016. The meaning of spirituality has developed and expanded over time, and various connotations can be found alongside each other. This innate trait must be nurtured to flourish. They begin as egocentric, move to conformist, and end at integration or universal belief. Because somewhere, deep inside, I knew he was right. The lack of models and theories for addressing spirituality in human develop-ment, after decades of life span development theory that did not include the spiritual, has created a need to identify and describe what constitutes spiritual development. This article outlines Fowler’s (1981) faith development theory (FDT). ", Thousands of Jewish people left organized religion in the 1960s and 1970s. The more palatable but cynical explanation is the placebo effect: If patients really believe they will get well by going through a shamanic ritual, then a certain percentage of those individuals will improve simply because of their positive expectations. However, religion is often discussed in terms of spiritual and social wellness. undermine the spiritual lives of young people (p. 11). Tens of thousands of others have had the same idea: More than 29 new Kabbalah meeting places have opened in the last year around the country. Models of spiritual development follow the same basic outline of development. And in 1996, a survey of 269 family physicians found that 99% believed prayer, meditation or other spiritual and religious practice can be helpful in medical treatment; more than half said they currently incorporate relaxation or meditation techniques into treatment of patients. "There is no real understanding of why you're Jewish without it.". Its aim: to bring about compassion. RECOVERY In a Duke University study, devout patients recovering from surgery spent an average of 11 days in the hospital compared with nonreligious patients who spent 25 days (Southern Medical Journal, 1998). It is hypothesized that spirituality is related to the broaden and build theory. But they confirm that it plays some sort of role in their patients' mental health. So like their forefathers, psychologists today are not unified on their attitude toward religion. DURING THAT FIRST THERAPY SESSION 20 YEARS AGO HE LISTENED TO ME AS NO ONE had ever listened before. The aim of this paper is to highlight potential connections between two of these domains, cognition and spirituality, by applying recentconceptualizationsofcognitivedevelopmental theory to spiritual development. Spiritual development is a required component for quality early childhood education. Spirituality is a personal experience that creates a system of personal beliefs when searching for the meaning of life. Spirituality is the wellspring of divinity that pulsates, dances, and flows as the source and essence of every soul. As spirituality spreads, psychology can't decide to love it or leave it alone. If we understand how everything is interconnected, we can make better decisions and become more aware of what impacts we are having not just on a physical level, but on a mental level as well. The scientist Carl Sagan wrote about his time-in-nature experience: "The wind whips through the canyons of the American Southwest, and there is no one to hear it but us. Seven pathways are developed through which spirituality engenders a wide range of salutary outcomes. The Healing Power of Faith: Science Explores Medicine's Last Great Frontier, Harold G. Koenig, M.D. Spirituality and Religion in the Workplace: History, Theory, and Research Margaret Benefiel Andover Newton Theological School Louis W. Fry and David Geigle Texas A&M University Central Texas The role of spirituality and religion in the workplace (SRW) is a relatively new area of inquiry that has 10 Words or Phrases That Convey Intelligence and Nuance. Spirituality is a difficult concept to define. Madonna is just one of the many non-Jewish celebrities who say Kabbalah has transformed her life. But within the last 10 years, Jewish mysticism, known as Kabbalah, has drawn many back into the fold. "All the religions are true," says George Lucas, who plays on religious themes such as good and evil in his blockbuster Star Wars series. Sarah Stich, a 16-year-old high school student in Colorado, checked out Kabbalah after seeing Madonna discuss her new passion on VH1, the music video channel. A powerfully spiritual moment--and one we have all experienced--is the instant we are confronted with earth's perfection and are filled with awe. Because spirituality is not just about healing. Religiousness and spirituality differ significantly from other points in the continuum and things are not accepted on blind faith or out of fear. Supporting health benefits of spirituality is a growing body of research. Human development is a lifelong process char- acterized by both predictable patterns and individual variation in multiple domains. Many left church and synagogue not because they had lost interest in spirituality, but because organized religion was not meeting their spiritual needs. While both Love and Nash attempt to define the terms, I feel there is more to understanding these important differences. However, according to Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco and a leading expert on shamanism, the fact that shamans have survived over the millennia suggests that "they are doing something useful.". National polls show that 9 out of 10 Americans believe in God and consider religion important in their lives. I encourage clients and students to first figure out what moves them deeply--whether it's Beethoven, Garth Brooks or the Grateful Dead, a hike in the mountains, or a day in an art gallery. Spirituality is an inborn, human trait. The mental and emotional release, along with a sense of connection to a transcendent dimension, may be at the heart of prayer's effectiveness. These are the moments that feed our soul and make our lives worth living. It allows the assessment of clients’ spiritual development free from the specific content of any faith tradition. It's about the look of wonder on a child's face, the love we feel for a family member, the woods and fields after freshly fallen snow, the joy of soul-stirring music. Researcher Wade Clark Roof, Ph.D., from the University of California at Santa Barbara, found that in the 1960s and 1970s baby boomers dropped out of organized religion in large numbers: 84% of Jews, 69% of mainline Protestants, 61% of conservative Protestants and 67% of Catholics. Of and greater than the person us to remain stable, remain balanced. something greater in life the... Therapy SESSION 20 years AGO he LISTENED to me as no one had ever LISTENED before 1981 ) development. 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