From immemorial time, spirituality has been part of human civilization in different forms. Thinkers rightly points out that spirituality is integral to the lives and experiences of people across societies and has remained a robust force throughout the history of humanity. Spiritual understanding and motivations have influenced all aspects of a society: its law, philosophy, medicine, science, technology, architecture, and art to name a few. From life of an ordinary man to the larger community, spirituality as a human quest to connect to higher form of reality is evident everywhere. Legendary psychologists emphasized that spirituality is the part of human nature and a sense of connection to something beyond oneself is the greatest source of spiritual meaning in life. Spirituality is a complex and multidimensional concept as its perceptions and experiences are shaped by various cognitive, social, emotional, cultural and behavioral factors. Though spirituality is regarded as inherent aspect of being human, its connotations have been changing over time with its essence and significance remaining unchanged. Even at the backdrop of changing connotations over a period of time, spirituality also represents a universal human attribute of relatedness to the non-material reality commonly expressed in terms of awareness of transcendent dimension, that is often get manifested in being having a sense of meaning and purpose in one’s existence along with experiencing wholeness and interconnectedness in life. Traditionally, spirituality was largely understood within the context of broader religious framework and very often both the terms were used interchangeably. However recent upsurge in the scientific and systematic exploration of spirituality as a concept, has led to its recognition beyond the confines of religious boundaries. It is important to understand that historically all the religions have had their origination in direct spiritual experience of their respective founders and its much later after their teachings when spread among masses, got consolidated and took shape of structured doctrines that people started following. Fundamentally all the religions are deeply rooted into spirituality but their institutionalized orientation, tenets of which are abiding on its followers, distinguish itself from spirituality which is more individualistic and personalized in its essence. Contemporary connotations associated with religion among people are described by terms like “organized,” “social,” and “traditional,” whereas spirituality is conceived as “personal,” “transcendent,” and characterized by qualities of “relatedness”. Today, religion and spirituality are recognized as distinct concepts which can be clearly distinguished yet they overlap with one another on specific aspect of search for the higher transcendent reality which often takes shape of sacred in religious discourses. Spirituality today is seen as people’s phenomenon, having a humanistic focus on institutional and interpersonal values and behaviors that can be experienced within or outside the domain of religious faith. In last few decades, interest in spirituality has increased quiet phenomenally particularly in developed countries. Professionals across varying disciplines have been recognizing significance of human spirituality and are systematically applying spirituality based interventions to their respective disciplines. Fields like neuroscience, psychology, medical science, human resource management, social work and education are some of the most promising areas witnessing integration of spirituality in diverse ways. Psycho INFO data shows that there has been approximately 40 fold increase in the citation of term spirituality between the year 1970 and 2000. Further the trend is continuing even in this century. About two-thirds of the medical institutions in America have at least one compulsory or elective course on religion, spirituality and medicine as per the data of 2001. Similarly in the area of human resource management, leadership and motivation, vast amount of scholarly work related to spirituality has given birth to entirely new field of study called workplace spirituality. It is important to note that concept of spirituality was not less active as a phenomenon in earlier human endeavors, but its only in recent past that people at large have become more vocal of their spiritual needs partly informed by the scholarly research work in the area and partly by recognition of utilitarian aspect of spirituality, in context of its facilitating role in optimization of one’s potential and enhancement of personal and social well-being. In addition, this renewed interest (both general as well as academic) in spirituality is also been seen in backdrop of our present conditions of living. Experts observe that general life of people devoted primarily to the pursuit of material ends, seems to have created a hollowness and fundamental dissatisfaction. Modern times represent highly volatile era characterized by unprecedented global unrest, ecological crises, political turmoil, economic slowdown, increasing mental health concerns, alarming moral degradation, and violation of human rights, rising natural calamities, religious fundamentalism and growing intolerance to name some few. The inner strength and resilience of people to fight these challenges seem to be falling down in absence of a solid guiding framework which can provide meaning and direction to their lives. Frankl, in his book ‘Man’s search for meaning’, rightly describes this vacuum as ‘existential frustration’ or ‘crises of meaning’. In response to this situation, some believe that humanity needs spiritual awakening, while others see awakening, already happening and describe the contemporary age as an age of spiritual revolution which is described as “a spontaneous movement in society, a new interest in the reality of spirit and its healing effects on life, health, community and well-being”. In order to address growing spiritual needs of individuals all across the globe, various international agencies (World Health Organization, United Nations and its allied institutions) have also incorporated spiritual dimension into their core areas of functioning and have categorically putting upon, in their official declarations.
ORIGIN OF SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality as a phenomenon is as old as human civilization itself and it is not feasible for the investigator to include its vast historical origin and subsequent developments in this limited coverage. However following section presents a brief account of evolutionary bases of spirituality and how it has evolved over a period of time. Tracing back from Neolithic era (Stone Age), anthropologists working in the area, report of people having recognition of the multilayered world, (beyond their own) as having powerfully invisible forces during those times. These forces were regarded as universally present in the communities of hunter-gatherers which represented very primitive cultural form of human existence. This form of ancient civilization was also characterized by set of beliefs and rituals associated with some people’s ability of moving into different states of consciousness. These people who were popularly known as ‘shamans’ were believed to be able to perceive and interact with spirit world and thereby to be able to use transcendental energy for healing people or for acquiring spiritual insight. ‘Shamanism’ and concept of spirit or spirit world have manifested in many forms across various cultures in different times. Human beings have always sought or acknowledged the presence of supernatural power in different forms (religious or otherwise) which they can relate to in order to fulfil various needs and aspirations in life. The different forms of relating to higher power or the notion of spirituality as perceived in the different times were primarily the reflections of larger social and cultural dynamics of that particular era. For instance, during the eighteen century, cultural revolution and emphasis on power of human reason was the central theme of spiritual enlightenment as a source freedom from dogmatic elements of medieval religions.This renaissance and a new wave of humanism were further strengthened by scientific and technological advancement. Evolutionary theory, being the landmark of nineteenth century has also moved people’s perceptions of reality from its mechanistic lenses towards recognition of the role of consciousness in the evolution process. “The spiritual as a modern category emerges in the second half of the nineteenth century as part of the great transformation and globalized political, economic, and cultural integration of the world”. Gradually the spread of modernity began to diminish the role of religion in society and spirituality was slowly emerging as an alternative to materialism as well as to traditional religious dogmas in the beginning of the last century. Ironically impact of industrial revolution and resultant material prosperity on one hand was empowering the human race but at the same time was creating a paradoxical tensions and a sort of spiritual vacuum in the lives of the people. Particularly during the second half of last 7 century, the very basis of human existence was perceived to be in danger and there was a global concern for building peace and harmony. In the backdrop, already emerging notion of spirituality, gained momentum and with its universal appeal of bringing a sense meaning in individual’s lives, it was seen as the basis of bringing peace and sustainable future to humanity.
SPIRITULAITY IN INDIA
In context of Indian culture, spirituality has been envisaged as a deep rooted phenomenon and in earlier times, it used to be revered as important goals of one’s life. For centuries, India has been a mystical land of meditation, contemplation and enlightenment where spiritual traditions flourished and still continuing to inspire millions. Being the birthplace of non-dogmatic dharma-based traditions, India also has had the privilege of being the fertile land for many enlightened masters and spiritual Gurus. Housden, in his book ‘Travels through Sacred India’, very beautifully describes India as a hospitable and flourishing home not only for Hinduism but also for other traditions including Sikhism, Jainism, Sufism, Buddhism and Christianity with its deep rooted belief in universal humanism and spiritual ideals. “Spirituality has been valued in the Indian culture from time immemorial, and it is no surprise that many innovations in the field of spirituality originated in India. Since people strive to excel in areas that are compatible with their cultural values, India has seen the emergence of many geniuses in the field of spirituality even in the modern times”. Unlike in the West, spirituality is rooted in the very way of life of masses in India and hence cannot be rigidly defined with specific terminology. With rich legacy of spiritual teachings by great seekers, India continues to be known as the land of spiritual wisdom offering invaluable insight into the higher states of human consciousness and various paths to attainment of pure bliss.
SPIRITUALITY AS RELATED TO TRANSCENDENCE
Notion of transcendence, as related to non material aspect of reality forms the very essence of most of description of human spirituality. Transcendence has been placed as one of the six major categories of human strengths. Various terms used to describe the notion of transcendence include “going beyond normal or physical human experience” or “existing apart from and not subject to the limitations of the material universe”. Shafranske and Gorsuch define spirituality as “A transcendent dimension within human experience, discovered in moments in which the individual questions the meaning of personal existence and attempts to place the self within a broader ontological context”. Attributes of transcendence, both in terms of transcendent reality as well as process of transcendence form common themes of spirituality in literature. In other words, transcendence with reference to spirituality involves transcendent reality itself in terms of entity and the process in terms of acquiring awareness or consciousness of that transcendent reality. Transcendent reality as the core of spirituality may take different expressions like mysterious energy; higher power which is greater than the self; wider self; human reality extending beyond the physical body and its psychosocial boundaries; greater self, energy source; inner psyche and a life condition having quality of super meaning. Eastern traditions conceive ‘spirit’ as supreme reality, Brahman, Tao or ultimate truth. Sri Aurobindo further clarifies meaning of spiritual as “an awakening to the inner reality of our being, to a spirit, self, soul which is other than our mind, life and body. It is an inner aspiration to know, to feel, to enter into contact with the greater reality”. In context of these varied expressions, Spirit is described by Hollick, as the motivating principle or potential of the cosmos conceive it as a life-giving essence that moves us deeply, or as a source that moves everything from within. Similarly the concept of ‘Spirit’, ‘Soul’ has also been widely used in theological and religious discourses to describe the nature of higher reality. American Heritage Dictionary, defines soul as “the animating and vital principle in human beings often conceived as an immaterial entity that survives death” or the “vital part of something”. Also, an essential characteristic of spirituality in terms of transcendent reality encompasses the idea of sacredness. According to Vaughan spirituality is a subjective experience of the sacred. Similarly, Hill and Pargament, considers spirituality as a search for the sacred, a process through which people seek to discourse, hold on to and when necessary, transform whatever they hold sacred in their lives. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the sacred refers to the holy and those things which are set apart from the ordinary and worthy of veneration and. Hill defines sacred as “divine being, divine object, ultimate reality, or ultimate truth as perceived by the individual.” To summaries the essential nature of higher reality as transcendent basically implies non material and meta physical quality expressed by different connotations. These specific connotations or individual perceptions of transcendence eventually become defining feature of the human endeavor to connect to that reality as religiously oriented or other times, spiritually oriented. Transcendence as a process is described by Thoresen as rising above ordinary, daily experiences, whereas Wilber views transcendence as, extending beyond the boundaries of the self. It is rising above the limitations of space and time or of consciously becoming aware of the universe and cosmos. “Transcendence is a natural extension from consciousness of the self to a greater awareness of the unconscious greater self”. Reese put this in other way and sees transcendence with reference to spirituality as a two dimensional construct including transcendence in terms of philosophy of life as manifested in one’s values and beliefs and transcendence in terms sense of connection which represent an experiential aspect of relating to others with spiritual awareness. It is very interesting to note that the notion of transcendence is very much part of human experience and is not something which can only be aspired but cannot be achieved. In fact lately it has been popularized as the basis of exploring the immense human possibilities and actualizing one’s highest potentials by discovering the reservoir of inner resources and expanding one’s horizon of perception. Jung’s conception of spirit, “as not in terms of supernatural, but rather those higher aspirations which are so much a part of man’s striving, whether they are expressed in works of art, in service to one’s fellow man, or in attempting to understand the workings of nature and her order”. Similar understanding was also shared by Reed, while describing transcendence in terms of expanding conceptual boundaries of the self which moves beyond limits. These limits may be put by immediate situation, physical limitations, or the restricted views of life and human potential.
