Friday, 12 February 2016

The Primary Aspect Of A Spiritual Experience

By Stephanie Reed


When looking for a divine intervention, there are generally two ways to do so. One involves the traditional aspects of God and religion. Whereas, the other involves creating a spiritual experience based on aspects of Eastern traditions like that of transcendental medication or Zen Buddhism.

There are similarities and differences between individuals who identify as spiritual and those whom identify as religious. For example, individuals claiming a spiritual though not religious identity are often Agnostic, Atheist or Pagan. Whereas, those who identify more as religious are most often born again Christians.

A number of individuals find it difficult to define religion versus spirituality. One of the best definitions is that spirituality is something that can be felt and not seen. Whereas, religion is often something that can be seen like the bible or other biblical text, or shared like hymns during a traditional church service.

In some cases, there are churches in which religion and spirituality can be seen, felt and heard at every service. While, there are other churches which simply go through the same ritualistic process each time people gather. Yet, it is often those who celebrate outside the church and church walls who often proclaim having had the most magical, mystical or spiritual of these experiences overall.

Gendlin, a philosopher has one of the best definitions of spirituality to date. In this definition, Gendlin believes that spirituality is a feeling or an essence that grazes the body with a soft brush like feeling. As such, this physical aspect then merges with an emotional response to create an overall release of negativity from body, mind and spirit.

Spirituality could also be defined as an overall feeling of newness and transcendent growth after having participated in a physical experience which created an emotional response. While some believe this experience can be felt as a bodily sensation, others believe the feeling is psychological. Whether emotional, or physical, feeling any aspect of bodily change most likely also indicates an emotional response.

An emotional response can be brought about due to happiness and joy, sadness or sorrow. Some of the deepest of these experiences have often been felt due to the loss of a loved one, the loss of a pet or having to move away from friends at an early age. Others, when children are born, graduate, get married or move away. Whether a new couple, a new home, a new baby or a lost loved one, all can be considered spiritual or religious experiences.

While some therapists and others have chosen to use spirituality during treatment, others have rejected the idea as an invalid approach. For those who do use religion and spirituality, its important to remember and adhere to client provider privilege when it comes to religious identity as well as others. Otherwise, should the religious or spiritual identity of a client be released without permission, the provider, client and others may be seeing one another in a courtroom rather than an office.




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