"Innovating Humanity conversation with Zuarguss - The complexity of the theme of spirituality

Reflecting on the conversation with Zuarguss, there are some themes that I would like to highlight about the reasons for the complexity of the topic of spirituality.

Aspects of language

One of the reasons why it is so difficult to talk about spirituality and why there is so much misunderstanding and miscommunication is that we do not have a single semantic field. We do not have a common terminology to describe the phenomena of spirituality.

We speak "different languages" - we use different words to describe the same phenomena, and we tend to give different meanings to the same words. For example, to the question "What is spirituality?" people give different answers.

My personal answer to this: spirituality is a subjective experience of the sacred, the divine dimension, which reflects the connection and relationship of one's personal life with a higher, all-inclusive power.

Reasons for language barriers

The first and most important reason for the language problem is that we are essentially trying to put into words something that can only be understood through EXPERIENCE. This makes understanding difficult, especially when a person with a spiritual experience tries to tell a person without a spiritual experience about it.

The second reason for the language problem is our historical heritage. The various fields of information that deal with the phenomena of spirituality have existed for thousands of years. Each information field has its own way of describing things. Religions have their own languages. Every religion has its own language, mystics have other languages, esotericists, shamans, ethnic traditions have other languages.

The third installment. With the emergence of spirituality in science, another semantic field for describing the dimension of spirituality is emerging. It is another language where "behind every term" there is a certain content, a concept, a definition. However, the content is not always clear to the audience when these terms are used.

Aspects of religion

Another reason for the complexity of the subject is the religious aspects. Spirituality has long been and still is associated with religiosity.

In recent years, the number of people who consider themselves spiritual but not religious has been increasing rapidly (spiritual but not religious). In recent years, the science of psychology has also increasingly distinguished spirituality from religiosity.

At the same time, there are still many people who are able to combine these two aspects.

Of course, every religion, branch of religion, organisation, group has its own ways of talking about and understanding the dimension of spirituality.

Aspects of psychopathology

Another aspect worth highlighting is the psychopathology aspect, or the fact that in some cases, manifestations that may appear to be mental are indicative of mental functioning difficulties, such as (but not limited to) schizophreniform spectrum disorder.

Historically, this has been the dominant view in science. Today, the perspective is changing, with more and more evidence emerging that spirituality-related expressions, spiritual experiences, can serve as a resource for human mental health. For example, by enhancing a sense of meaning and purpose in everyday life, by increasing acceptance of oneself and the world, a sense of belonging, etc.

However, it is not excluded that in some cases apparently mental manifestations may be symptomatic of a mental illness!

Aspects of interpretation

To sum up, there is a great diversity of information in our cultural space today about what spirituality is, what its manifestations mean and what the presence of a spirituality dimension in human life indicates.

Experiencing the dimension of spirituality for oneself, each person interprets the experience in his or her own way. One person feels that he is experiencing the presence of God, another that he has become aware of his mission in life, and another that he is losing his mind.

In the same way, people who are in denial, scepticism, cynicism about the dimension of spirituality, interpret it in their own way. One thinks that they are being fooled, that they are making things up, another thinks that a friend is "entangled" in a religious organisation, a third simply doesn't care.

My professional position

As a psychologist, first of all, I try to find a common language with the client, a common field of understanding.

Secondly, I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of the supernatural. It is also not the focus of my work to decipher it. I don't speculate on things that are beyond the data.

For example, if a person tells me that they have "seen" angels in their spiritual experience, I do not conclude "so angels exist". I don't know whether angels exist or not, that's beyond the data. Instead, I focus on the psychological aspects of the person, I help the person to see the significance of these images in their personal life and I support them in processing their spiritual experience in a way that serves them for today.

Yes, I keep an eye on whether the presence of a spirituality dimension is psychologically healthy or symptomatic. I allow for BOTH options, including assessing the manifestations of my own psyche as much as possible.

The meaning of polylogue

In summary, the world is living in a time of tremendous change with regard to spirituality.

There are not only two sides - the rational and the magical - but many other facets from which to view this phenomenon. I believe that there is a grain of truth in each, so having a conversation and listening to each other is essential.

We are all in our own information space, with our own ideas and beliefs, with our own claims, stereotypes and prejudices (including me). I think the only way to build a common field of consciousness and understanding is to at least try to talk about this complex subject. To talk about the unthinkable!

My personal intuition tells me that there is something in all this. For all of us.

This free content is produced in my spare time without pay. If you see value in what I do, I'd be happy to make you a coffee! It's like a spur to create new content! 🙂