Media and Spirituality

Abstract

This chapter contributes to our understanding of media and spirituality in at least three key ways. First, it defines and categorizes spirituality as non-theistic and theistic spirituality that has three dimensions: spiritual beliefs, spiritual feelings, and spiritual behaviors. Second, it pulls together relevant literature on media and spirituality through a variety of theoretical perspectives such as positive psychology, morality, mindfulness and Eastern philosophies, wellness and health, uses and gratifications, sense-making, and organizational communication. Organizational communication as a field has contributed greatly to our understanding of spirituality and communication. Several organizations offer yoga classes, meditation lessons, and spirituality workshops to help their employees feel a sense of belongingness and to nourish positive human values in the workplace. Finally, it lays out a research agenda for scholars interested in both 'traditional media' such as television and media as well as 'new media' such as Internet, social networks to examine various dimensions of spirituality using experimental, survey-based, content analytical and qualitative research methods.