Focus is the primary aspect when it comes to recognizing a spiritual or religious experience. Whether an individual identifies as religious or spiritual does not automatically identify the person as a Christian. For, while most individuals who identify as religious are often born again Christians, there are other sects in which this is not the case. Whereas, most individuals who identify as spiritual though not religious are generally Pagan, Agnostic, Atheist or still searching for the ultimate 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.
While some may find it hard to separate religiousness from spirituality, philosophers and theorists have shown it can be done. In most cases, these individuals agree that organized religion deals with issues related to a church building, congregation, minister, deacons, Sunday school teachers, choir, conductors and other leaders. Whereas, spirituality can be experienced by believers and non-believers while also being found in and outside church walls.
At one point and time, a number of psychotherapist subscribed to the idea that spirituality could be an active and successful aspect of treatment. Due to most Western traditions subscribing to, at the minimum, a generalized idea of a higher power, many have now turned away from using this spiritual approach. Whereas, there are others who have embraced a number of elements from Eastern traditions.
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.
Another way to describe this feeling or sensation is akin to energies felt during transcendental meditation. Guided meditation is often a great way to help clients find a calm and peaceful place to begin. During this and other styles of meditation, individuals work to clear any negative energy and thoughts from body, mind and spirit through a variety of guided imagery. After which, there is often a sense of newness and overall well being.
While a number of experiences associated with religion, spirituality or the divine can be happy and joyful, others can be quite painful. For example, the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, or a child moving away to college are all experiences that will create a sad emotional response. Whereas, a graduation, marriage, new home, new baby or other joyous life event can create a very different though still emotional response.
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.
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.
While some may find it hard to separate religiousness from spirituality, philosophers and theorists have shown it can be done. In most cases, these individuals agree that organized religion deals with issues related to a church building, congregation, minister, deacons, Sunday school teachers, choir, conductors and other leaders. Whereas, spirituality can be experienced by believers and non-believers while also being found in and outside church walls.
At one point and time, a number of psychotherapist subscribed to the idea that spirituality could be an active and successful aspect of treatment. Due to most Western traditions subscribing to, at the minimum, a generalized idea of a higher power, many have now turned away from using this spiritual approach. Whereas, there are others who have embraced a number of elements from Eastern traditions.
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.
Another way to describe this feeling or sensation is akin to energies felt during transcendental meditation. Guided meditation is often a great way to help clients find a calm and peaceful place to begin. During this and other styles of meditation, individuals work to clear any negative energy and thoughts from body, mind and spirit through a variety of guided imagery. After which, there is often a sense of newness and overall well being.
While a number of experiences associated with religion, spirituality or the divine can be happy and joyful, others can be quite painful. For example, the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, or a child moving away to college are all experiences that will create a sad emotional response. Whereas, a graduation, marriage, new home, new baby or other joyous life event can create a very different though still emotional response.
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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