What is Spirituality - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: February 19, 2019.

An existential construct inclusive of all the ways in which a person makes meaning and organizes their sense of self around a personal set of beliefs, values, and relationships.
This is sometimes understood in terms of transcendence or inspiration. Involvement in a community of faith and practice may or may not be a part of an individual's spirituality.

Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. A Model to Guide Hospice Palliative Care. Appendices: Lexicon of Commonly Used Terms. Accessed on June 21, 2009.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: February 19, 2019.

Spirituality is also defined as a capacity and tendency that is innate and unique to all persons. The spiritual tendency moves the individual toward knowledge, love, meaning, peace, hope, transcendence, connectedness, compassion, wellness, and wholeness.
Spirituality includes one's capacity for creativity, growth, and the development of a value system.

Spirituality is a factor that contributes to health in many persons — its concept is found in all cultures and societies.
It is an innate tendency toward meaning — it is expressed in an individual's search for ultimate meaning through participation in religion and/or belief in God, family, naturalism, rationalism, humanism, and the arts.

It is expressed in four areas of activity taking place (a) at the level of self, (b) other persons, (c) the natural environment, and (d) the unseen order.

Bryson KA. Spirituality, meaning and trascendence. Palliative and Supportive Care. 2004. 2:321-328.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: February 19, 2019.

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.

See reference for more information.

Puchalski CM et al. Improving the spiritual dimension of whole person care: reaching national and international consensus. J Palliat Med. 2014 June 1; 17(6): 642–656.

Spirituality

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