What is the meaning of spirituality?

At the start

Christian context. The premise of PFP is that we carry out spiritual care within a personal Christian context. This means we have a personal commitment to Christianity, and use our own faith to be more effective friends. In our caring, we won't always be dealing with people who share a Christian commitment — we may meet people with no religious commitment at all, or with a significantly different faith to our own. Everyone we visit has some form of "spirituality," especially when they're sick, even if it isn't in a form we're most familiar with. A fundamental position for a friend is to respect the individual for whom we're caring. Our primary aim is to help the individual, notwithstanding their gender, faith, religious commitment or cultural background — our Lord Jesus Christ set this example.

Limitations. We won't be covering the more practical elements of caring, such as providing meals, helping with housework, or taking children to school. That doesn't mean these contributions aren't useful or important — they're very helpful and vital. However, we'll focus only on the spiritual and communicative elements of caring.

Focus. Lastly, one other fundamental element to bear in mind: the key person in any caring is the person, not ourselves. In any communication, it's that person's "agenda" that matters, not ours. Sometimes people are self-centred — and that isn't said unkindly, it can simply be a reality. We show real insensitivity if we don't spend time making ourselves aware of the person's circumstances, and let them determine where the conversation goes.

Defining spirituality

This is a vexed question — not many people have developed an all-embracing, universally accepted definition. It's been variously described as a puzzle, nebulous, and fuzzy. Below are some definitions quoted in the National Guidelines.

But firstly, the Apostle Paul succinctly describes spirituality through the Greek word pneuma, often translated as "spirit," and hence spirituality, as being a person's "inner being" (Ephesians 3:16, NIV).

Spirituality is a dynamic and intrinsic aspect of humanity through which persons seek ultimate meaning, purpose, and transcendence, and experience relationship to self, family, others, community, society, nature, and the significant or sacred. Spirituality is expressed through beliefs, values, traditions and practices. Puchalski et al, 2014

That which lies at the core of each person's being, an essential dimension which brings meaning to life. Constituted not only by religious practices, but understood more broadly as relationship with God — however God, or ultimate meaning, is perceived by the person and in relationship with other people. MacKinlay, 2001

Spirituality is universal, deeply personal and individual. It goes beyond formal notions of ritual or religious practice to encompass the unique capacity of each individual. It is at the core and essence of who we are — that spark which permeates the entire fabric of the person and demands that we are all worthy of dignity and respect. McSherry & Smith, 2012

The idea of spirituality leading to peace of mind is essential in spiritual care work. A word of caution, though: a person's spirituality may not lead them to peace of mind if they're disturbed or feeling guilty about something — in this case, their spirituality may work against them.

It's increasingly recognised that an individual's spirituality consists of their connection to four aspects of life: something or someone higher, people, creativity, and oneself. (This is shown in a diagram in the Handbook.) In practice, this could mean you're connected to God, your family, your artistic expressions, and your developed, important beliefs and values. In your personal situation, this could mean your most important spirituality is based on your connection to God. Other important connections could include friends and family — maybe you use music to help in worship. All of these can contribute to your spirituality, your inner being.