Characteristics Of Spirituality

Course overview

While theorists and researchers have yet to agree on a single, universally accepted theory or definition of spirituality, few would deny its existence or impact on health and healing. In the past, spirituality was synonymous with religion. Although spirituality may include traditional religious beliefs and practices, spirituality is a much broader concept that also includes nonreligious beliefs and expressions. It includes a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves, and typically involves a search for meaning in life. For many cultures, spirituality is deeply connected to healing practices and expanded stages of consciousness. The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the characteristics of spirituality, theories of spirituality, the stages of spiritual development, and the connection between spirituality and healing.