‘Spiritual Friends’: an investigation of children’s spirituality in the context of British urban secondary education

Abstract

This article argues relational consciousness of Self and Other is influenced by multiple significant relationships – what are termed ‘Spiritual Friends’. The research on which this article is based explores the spirituality of children within the context of British urban secondary education, and identifies significant relationships in shaping spirituality. The importance of formative and current spiritual relationships is considered through the perspective of practical theology, as well as research seeking to hear the child’s voice, and reflections on spirituality and its expressions. The researcher considers relational consciousness to be the core of spirituality, and reflection on the data is guided by Hay’s categories of Child-Self and Child-Other (including Transcendent) consciousness, and movement towards the Unity of Self and Other. The article claims Spiritual Friends are found in three significant areas: parents and carers, teachers and authority figures, and social (or conventional) friendships. Of these the data show social friendships are the most valuable to the children, and argue technology and social media play an important role in sustaining these relationships. In light of these findings, further investigations are suggested.