Abstract
This study investigates the lived-experience of spiritual life in contemporary USA, India, and China. A qualitative coding frame was constructed based on participant responses to open-ended questions regarding spirituality. Qualitative analysis was facilitated by the use of Dedoose, a mixed methods software. The exploratory approach of this study takes on a cross-culturally comparative lens, and has two primary questions: (1) What are the universal aspects of lived spirituality across cultures, and (2) How does culture shape spiritual experience (e.g., typology and prevalence)? A total of 6112 participants (41% women, mean age of 29 years, range 18–75 years) were recruited, and analysis was conducted on a subset of 900 participants. The primary thematic categories derived by content analysis included religion (religious traditions, religious conversion, religious professionals, religious figures “theophany,” and religious forces “heirophany”), contemplative practice (meditation, mindful movement, prayer, and rituals), ancestors (ancestral worship, dreams about ancestors, and general mention of ancestors), natural world (animals, and nature), and metaphysical phenomena. Metaphysical categories were further parsed apart to include extrasensory perception (telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, realistic dreams, and intuitive impressions), psychokinesis, survival hypothesis (near death experiences, out of body experiences, and apparitional experiences), and faith and energy healing (recovery/remission of illness, and spiritual practitioners). Explanatory factors for similarities and differences across groups, and the origins of spirituality, are discussed.
Highlights
Universal SpiritualityResearch indicates that spirituality and religion are two different constructs
The exploratory approach of this study takes on a cross-culturally comparative lens, and has two primary areas of inquiry, : (1) What are the universal aspects of lived spirituality, and (2) How does culture shape spiritual experience?
The online questionnaire consisted of a number of widely used spiritual, clinical, and psychological instruments, as well as socio-demographic and open-ended qualitative questions
Summary
Research indicates that spirituality and religion are two different constructs. Spirituality is an innate part of all individuals according to twin studies which show 30% of the human capacity for spirituality is due to broad heritability (Kendler et al 1997). Spirituality is a way of perception and connection with the life force, the greater Universe, and the transcendent in daily life. Religion is a form of expression, a system of ritual, teachings and meaning that embraces our natural spirituality (Zinnbauer et al 1999). Spirituality is innate and religion is socialized. The research on spirituality in religion, health care, personal growth, and cross-cultural contexts, utilizes a wide range of terminology which may imply a diversity of non-standardized definitions within the field (Moberg 2002). A review of 73 studies offered potential core definitions for spirituality, including connectedness, transcendence, existential reality, meaning, purpose, sacredness, yoga, meditation, self-awareness, and religious practice (Chiu et al 2004). A deepened, more personalized sense of spirituality may have the potential to bring greater well-being to diverse individuals and communities
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