Spirituality is an idea that includes the belief in a higher power, a sense of connection with something greater than yourself and the desire to search for meaning in life. It is a broad concept and there are many ways people express their spirituality, but it is often associated with the practice of a religion, like Hinduism or Christianity.
There is no one definition of spirituality that can be agreed upon and this is sometimes problematic when it comes to researching the area. It can impede scientifically valid assessments of the phenomenon and also hamper the ability to communicate findings in a meaningful way.
Some researchers have proposed a model of spirituality that has cognitive, experiential and behavioral dimensions. The cognitive or philosophic aspects include the search for meaning in life, beliefs and values that guide an individual’s choices and behavior. The experiential or emotional aspects involve feelings of hope, love, connection and inner peace. The behavioral aspects refer to the behaviors and practices that promote these feelings, such as meditation, prayer, yoga and other activities.
Spirituality can help us to cope with life’s challenges, and it can help us feel connected to others. It is important to distinguish it from religiosity, though, as there can be overlap between the two concepts.