The Primary Element Of A Spiritual Experience

By Stephanie Reed


Focus is the primary aspect when it comes to recognizing a spiritual or religious experience. Whether an individual identifies as religious or spiritual does not automatically identify the person as a Christian. For, while most individuals who identify as religious are often born again Christians, there are other sects in which this is not the case. Whereas, most individuals who identify as spiritual though not religious are generally Pagan, Agnostic, Atheist or still searching for the ultimate spiritual experience.

The search for truth is a difficult journey. For, while some individuals claim to have found the truth, the light and the way, it remains something which has to be taken as blind faith. As such, there are believers, non-believers, searchers and skeptics living in most communities.

While some people may find it hard to separate spirituality from religion, it can be done. Theorists and philosophers have found a way of explaining the difference by the fact that spirituality is both content and process. Whereas, the individual must take action in order to create a religious experience by actively choosing to attend church, join a choir, or become active in some other way.

At one point and time, a number of psychotherapist subscribed to the idea that spirituality could be an active and successful aspect of treatment. Due to most Western traditions subscribing to, at the minimum, a generalized idea of a higher power, many have now turned away from using this spiritual approach. Whereas, there are others who have embraced a number of elements from Eastern traditions.

Gendlin, a philosopher has one of the best definitions of spirituality to date. In this definition, Gendlin believes that spirituality is a feeling or an essence that grazes the body with a soft brush like feeling. As such, this physical aspect then merges with an emotional response to create an overall release of negativity from body, mind and spirit.

Spirituality can be viewed as the overall belief system of the individual with or without religious ideology. While some believe spirituality can be felt, others believe it is more a way of life. Emotional or physical, the overall well being which comes from this type experience can often be beneficial to good health and well being throughout life.

It should also be recognized that these experiences can be joyful or sorrowful. For example, it is often a joyous occasion when a friend or relative gets engaged. Whereas, when a friend or relative goes through a break-up, moves away or crosses over to the other side, it can often be a rather sad time. As such, it is important as we travel through life to learn how to handle these positive and negative emotional experiences and responses.

While there have been attempts by mental health professionals to use spirituality and religion in treatment, most have now moved away from the idea. For some, recalling religious childhood memories has been known to create more psychological issues. While in others, it just seems less than ethical to question an individual about religious or spiritual identity unless directly associated with an on-going mental or physical issue.




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