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The term "spiritual" is now frequently used in contexts in which the term "religious" was formerly employed.[28] Contemporary spirituality is also called "post-traditional spirituality" and "New Age spirituality".[83] Hanegraaf makes a distinction between two "New Age" movements: New Age in a restricted sense, which originated primarily in mid-twentieth century England and had its roots in Theosophy and Anthroposophy, and "New Age in a general sense, which emerged in the later 1970s ...when increasing numbers of people [...] began to perceive a broad similarity between a wide variety of "alternative ideas" and pursuits, and started to think of them as part of one "movement"".[84] Those who speak of spirituality outside of religion often define themselves as spiritual but not religious and generally believe in the existence of different "spiritual paths," emphasizing the importance of finding one's own individual path to spirituality. According to one 2005 poll, about 24% of the United States population identifies itself as spiritual but not religious.[web 8] Characteristics Modern spirituality is centered on the "deepest values and meanings by which people live."[85] It embraces the idea of an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality.[86] It envisions an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being. Not all modern notions of spirituality embrace transcendental ideas. Secular spirituality emphasizes humanistic ideas on moral character (qualities such as love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, harmony, and a concern for others).[87]:22 These are aspects of life and human experience which go beyond a purely materialist view of the world without necessarily accepting belief in a supernatural reality or divine being. Personal well-being, both physical and psychological, is an important aspect of modern spirituality. Contemporary authors suggest that spirituality develops inner peace and forms a foundation for happiness. Meditation and similar practices may help any practitioner cultivate his or her inner life and character.[88][unreliable source?] [89] Ellison and Fan (2008) assert that spirituality causes a wide array of positive health outcomes, including "morale, happiness, and life satisfaction."[90] Spirituality has played a central role in self-help movements such as Alcoholics Anonymous: ...if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead....[91] Spiritual experience Main article: Religious experience "Spiritual experience" plays a central role in modern spirituality.[92] This notion has been popularised by both western and Asian authors.[93][94] William James popularized the use of the term "religious experience" in his The Varieties of Religious Experience.[93] It has also influenced the understanding of mysticism as a distinctive experience which supplies knowledge.[web 4] Wayne Proudfoot traces the roots of the notion of "religious experience" further back to the German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834), who argued that religion is based on a feeling of the infinite. The notion of "religious experience" was used by Schleiermacher to defend religion against the growing scientific and secular critique. It was adopted by many scholars of religion, of which William James was the most influential.[95] Major Asian influences were Vivekananda[96] and D.T. Suzuki.[92] Swami Vivekananda popularised a modern syncretitistic Hinduism,[97][94] in which the authority of the scriptures was replaced by an emphasis on personal experience.[94][98] D.T. Suzuki had a major influence on the popularisation of Zen in the west and popularized the idea of enlightenment as insight into a timeless, transcendent reality.[web 9][web 10][22] Another example can be seen in Paul Brunton's A Search in Secret India, which introduced Ramana Maharshi to a western audience. Spiritual experiences can include being connected to a larger reality, yielding a more comprehensive self; joining with other individuals or the human community; with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm.[99] Spiritual practices Main article: Spiritual practice Waaijman discerns four forms of spiritual practices:[100] Somatic practices, especially deprivation and diminishment. The deprivation purifies the body. Diminishment concerns the repulsement of ego-oriented impulses. Examples are fasting and poverty.[100] Psychological practices, for example meditation.[101] Social practices. Examples are the practice of obedience and communal ownership reform ego-orientedness into other-orientedness.[101] Spiritual. All practices aim at purifying the ego-centeredness, and direct the abilities at the divine reality.[101] Spiritual practices may include meditation, mindfulness, prayer, the contemplation of sacred texts, ethical development,[87] and the use of psychoactive substances (entheogens). Love and/or compassion are often described as the mainstay of spiritual development.[87] Within spirituality is also found "a common emphases on the value of thoughtfulness, tolerance for breadth and practices and beliefs, and appreciation for the insights of other religious communities, as well as other sources of authority within the social sciences."[102] |
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