Friday, February 12, 2016

Discovering The Elements Of A Spiritual Experience

By Stephanie Reed


One, if not the most important element when looking to create a spiritual or religious experience is that of focus. Religion often requires continued study of the bible and other biblical texts. Spirituality, being content and process, often requires the individual be focused on body, mind and spirit. Once the individual is focused, it can be much easier to achieve and maintain a spiritual experience.

Other differences between a spiritual and religious experience involve belief systems, format and structure. For example, individuals identifying as religious are most likely going to be avid churchgoers. Whereas, those identifying as spiritual can often be found at meetings or rituals put on by a number of non-profit organizations. In either case, those attending church services, meetings or rituals are most likely going to have some aspect of a spiritual or religious experience.

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.

Some psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists now use spirituality as part of treatment. While others, many having tried, have now turned away from the idea. Whether using religion and spirituality or otherwise, it is always important that client and provider always respect and protect any privileged information provided in the process.

Gendlin has provided one of the best definitions for spirituality to date. In this definition, it is believed that spirituality is content and process. As such, there is a physical and emotional aspect to the overall experience. When the physical body reacts to the emotional response, then the body creates an overall release of negative emotions, energies and thoughts.

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.

It should also be recognized that these experiences can be joyful or sorrowful. For example, it is often a joyous occasion when a friend or relative gets engaged. Whereas, when a friend or relative goes through a break-up, moves away or crosses over to the other side, it can often be a rather sad time. As such, it is important as we travel through life to learn how to handle these positive and negative emotional experiences and responses.

When used in generalized counseling sessions, psychotherapy or psychiatry, it is important to always remember client and provider privilege. If not, then the provider could be held liable for any damages which may occur due to such knowledge being released. As such, it is always better to be protective of client information rather than facing a lawsuit.




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