Spiritual Ideas Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of the "H"-shaped Symbol from Göbekli Tepe and the Ritual "Binocular-shaped" Ceramics of the Trypillia Culture in Light of Ancient Farmers' Cosmological Beliefs

This article is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the sacred "H"-shaped symbolism, which originates from the ancient temple complex of hunter-gatherers and early farmers of the Near East – Göbekli Tepe. The research identifies and analyzes a similar symbol found in the religious complex of ancient farmers in the territory of modern Ukraine, specifically in the Trypillia culture and its ceramic artifacts known as "Trypillia binoculars." A comparative analysis of these symbols is conducted within the context of the cosmological beliefs of early farming societies in Asia and Europe. Special attention is given to interpreting this symbolism as a reflection of complex religious and philosophical concepts related to the cyclicality of nature, the movement of celestial bodies, and the unity of heaven and earth. The research examines the architectural features of Göbekli Tepe, particularly the arrangement of the T-shaped columns, and their potential astronomical purpose. The author hypothesizes a connection between the physical structure of the temple complex, its T-shaped columns, and the formation of abstract "H"-type symbols. Parallels are drawn between the symbolism of Göbekli Tepe and the ritual artifacts of the Trypillia culture, allowing the hypothesis of shared cosmological concepts between various early farming cultures, despite significant geographical and temporal distances. This article offers a new perspective on the development of religious thought in ancient societies, highlighting the depth and complexity of their spiritual ideas. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the cultural connections and exchange of ideas between ancient civilizations of the Near East and Europe.

THE INFLUENCE OF THEOSOPHY ON MODERN PAINTING

An interesting subject that delves into the junction of spirituality, philosophy, and creative expression is the effect of Theosophy on contemporary painting. In the late 19th century, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky established the spiritual movement known as Theosophy. Theosophy is a belief system that seeks to discover the truth about the oneness of all faiths and delve further into the secrets of life, positing the existence of concealed realities beyond the material world. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Theosophy wielded a transformative influence on the field of contemporary art. Its principles were not just influential, but potent enough to reshape the work of even the most prominent painters. Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky is a testament to this; his journey was not just instrumental, but transformative in the ascent of abstract expressionism.Theosophical teachings resonated deeply with Kandinsky, echoing not just his profound spirituality, but his personal quest to uncover art's hidden significance. Theosophy posited the existence of concealed realities beyond the material world, placing not just a premium, but a profound importance on the spiritual facets of life. For Kandinsky, art was not just a portal, but a profound conduit for these higher realms, a conduit for the cosmic spirit to manifest. This profoundly impacted Kandinsky as he veered away from realistic imagery and delved into the realm of abstract painting. He aimed to articulate spiritual experiences and emotions through the medium of color and shape. For instance, in his painting 'Composition VII, 'Kandinsky used vibrant colors and dynamic shapes to convey a sense of spiritual energy and movement. Driven by the belief that art could convey profound, transcendent truths, his work progressively shed its symbolic nature. Famous for his geometric abstract paintings, Piet Mondrian was another artist impacted by Theosophy. Theosophy's principles of spiritual progress and cosmic oneness resonated with Mondrian's search for inner peace and a sense of cosmic order, which were crucial to his creative process. For instance, in his painting 'Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blue, 'Mondrian used primary colors and straight lines to represent the harmony and balance he believed existed in the universe, a concept aligned with philosophical ideas. Beyond specific artists, the influence of Theosophy on contemporary art might be seen in more systemic currents like Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism. Some artists, like the symbolists, drew inspiration from the theosophical tradition's emphasis on introspection and mystical themes. Theosophy had not just a significant but a lasting impact on contemporary painting. It inspired painters to seek not just new ways but innovative ways of expressing themselves that went beyond traditional depictions. Modern painting's enduring legacy is not just profoundly rooted but intricately intertwined with theosophical ideas of spirituality, oneness, and inner change, which fostered not just the emergence but the flourishing of abstract and emotionally charged art forms, such as Wassily Kandinsky's abstract expressionism and Piet Mondrian's geometric abstraction, which aimed not just to convey, but to evoke spiritual and emotional experiences through non-representational forms.

Текстоментальные категории евангельской притчи (на материале немецкого и русского языков)

The research aims to demonstrate how textmental categories (sacral-religious analysis and sacral-religious interpretation) manifest themselves in the text of the Gospel parable. The paper examines the functioning characteristics of the textmental categories of sacral-religious analysis and sacral-religious interpretation. The scientific novelty of the research lies in identifying the expression features of sacral-religious analysis and sacral-religious interpretation processes in a comparative aspect within the text of the Gospel parable using the material in German and Russian. The research findings indicate that sacral-religious analysis, being the explication of the understanding process through referential multiplication, reveals the images and symbols of the Gospel parable drawn from everyday life, which are perceived as doctrinal truths and wise teachings. Sacral-religious interpretation through metaxyvization specifies the distinctive perspective images in the text of the Gospel parable generated by points of view as its spiritual idea. Serving as an embodiment of reflective contemplation (theatation), sacral-religious interpretation of the Gospel parable transcends the framework of the presented worldly vision and translates it to a transcendental level.

Contemporary spirituality: a comprehensive literature review and invitation to heartbreak and humility

This article is a literature review which explores the spiritual landscape within Gestalt therapy and the wider field of psychotherapy, examining definitional barriers, ideas of contemporary spirituality (as distinct from religion) and the ways in which Gestalt therapy can offer a ‘way out’ of the restrictive binaries of traditional either/or thinking. Key words Gestalt therapy, spirituality, epistemic humility, dialogue, presence, paradox, uncertainty

Spiritual Nationalism: Unraveling Aurobindo Ghosh's Influence on Indian Freedom Struggle

Aurobindo Ghosh the great Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, poet, philosopher and political leader focused on the combination of spirituality and nationalism, stressing the idea that political freedom can be achieved only in a spiritually awakened society. He emphasized on the notion that mere political independence cannot make a nation free in a real sense and it is only because of spiritual renaissance that can develop a nation. Aurobindo believed in the philosophy of ‘integral nationalism’ which is a combination of political, cultural and spiritual dimensions of a nation in which an individual acts as a whole. Therefore, the present study will explore the concept of spiritual nationalism as developed by Aurobindo Ghosh. While delving into Ghosh’s philosophical and spiritual ideas, this study seeks to unravel how his thoughts shaped the Indian national movement. This study also focused on Ghosh's role in shaping the ideological dimension of the Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule. The present study highlights the role played by Ghosh in the Indian freedom struggle in which the main tool was spiritual nationalism. The paper begins by delving into the life and works of Aurobindo Ghosh, emphasizing his spiritual philosophy and its integration into the nationalist discourse. It also provides a historical context for the emergence of spiritual nationalism within the Indian National Movement, highlighting the socio-political conditions of the time. This paper primarily focuses on the political ideas of Ghosh and his contribution in the Indian Freedom Struggle with the lens of spiritual nationalism.

"Two Legends" for Piano by F. Liszt in Line with his Spiritual and Aesthetic Positions

The purpose of the study is to investigate the poetic and intonation features of “Two Legends” for the piano in the context of spiritual search and to reveal the compositional guidelines of F. Liszt, aimed at embodying the poetry of non-antithetical content. The research methodology is determined by the use of historical-logical, analytical, cultural, hermeneutic, comparative methods, as presented in the works of representatives of the intonation approach of B. Asafiev in Ukraine – in the works of D. Androsova, O. Markova, O. Muravska, O. Roschenko, and O. Socol. Scientific novelty. For the first time in domestic cultural studies, the specifics of F. Liszt's spiritual ideas are highlighted according to their presentation in the named piano spiritual works of the late period of the composer's work, marked by his approach to the symbolic principles of thinking. Conclusions. The analysis of the symbolic meaning of the music of F. Liszt's “Two Legends” for piano showed that these are works based on the choice of the program plot – life descriptions of the images of the Saints – Francis of Assisi (XIII century) and the follower of the first Francis of Paoli (XV century), who represented the closely related to Byzantine Orthodoxy, the discovery of mysticism and aestheticism in Catholicism. In the compositional solution, monophonic recitatives (the theme-image of Francis of Assisi in the First Legend), the motif of the Cross, which in the context of the program acquires an interpretation in the aspects of the Old Christian confession, are essential. The tonus peregrinus in the leitmotif of St. Francis in “Second Legend” also stands out, testifying to the imitation of the old liturgy of Byzantine origin. Compositionally, this poetry affirms the Divine unity of the world, in this case it is a presentation of a form devoid of thematic antitheticity. In his spiritual works, Liszt turns to the two-part nature of non-contrasting juxtapositions, which model compositional primary liturgical features. Keywords: legend, romanticism, symbolism, musical style, musical genre, musical symbols.

Innovations in Children’s Spiritual Nurture

Conventional wisdom and antiquated stage development theories have had a negative effect on children’s spirituality. This paper looks at an innovative spiritual practice (embodied prayer) that instead promotes children’s agency and embodied engagement in multi-layered meaning making. It traces both the ways in which children respond to higher levels of trust in their ability to reflect on spiritual ideas and experiences, as well as challenges and changes in understanding and practice that adult facilitators experience as they learn new ways of supporting children’s spiritual development.

House modifications as a malaria control tool: how does local context shape participants’ experience and interpretation in Uganda?

BackgroundEvidence that house design can provide protection from malaria is growing. Housing modifications such as screening windows, doors, and ceilings, and attaching insecticide-impregnated materials to the eaves (the gap between the top of the wall and bottom of the roof), can protect against malaria. To be effective at scale, however, these modifications must be adopted by household residents. There is evidence that housing modifications can be acceptable, but in-depth knowledge on the experiences and interpretation of modifications is lacking. This qualitative study was carried out to provide a holistic account of the relationship between experiences and interpretations of four types of piloted housing modifications and the local context in Jinja, Uganda.MethodsQualitative research was conducted between January to June 2021, before and during the installation of four types of housing modifications. The methods included nine weeks of participant observations in two study villages, nine focus group discussions with primary caregivers and heads of households (11–12 participants each), and nine key informant interviews with stakeholders and study team members.ResultsMost residents supported the modifications. Experiences and interpretation of the housing modifications were shaped by the different types of housing in the area and the processes through which residents finished their houses, local forms of land and property ownership, and cultural and spiritual beliefs about houses.ConclusionsTo maximize the uptake and benefit of housing modifications against malaria, programme development needs to take local context into account. Forms of local land and house ownership, preferences, the social significance of housing types, and religious and spiritual ideas shape the responses to housing modifications in Jinja. These factors may be important in other setting.Trial registration Trial registration number is NCT04622241. The first draft was posted on November 9th 2020.

Understanding Workplace Spirituality in Health Care Systems: Practice and challenges

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this paper is to make an enquiry into work place spirituality in health care systems. Based on a theoretical study of spirituality and its growing importance in health care systems; workplace spirituality is discussed with doctors and elements of spirituality which are applied in treating patients are identified. The study has also explored the individual level and system level challenges while practicing spirituality through the identified elements in the health care systems. Methodology adopted: This is an inductive form of research which involved enquiry into the existing literature of spirituality and further records the focused discussions of doctors for capturing the idea of spirituality in health care systems, identification of elements of spirituality and implementation challenges of spiritual elements in health care systems. Findings: The idea of spirituality in healthcare systems includes the trust and belief in supreme power, peace of mind, spiritual care and identifying spirituality as an asset. Gratitude and prayers, counseling, inclusion of the yogic techniques and investment of self in the work are identified as elements of spirituality in healthcare systems. Analysis of data also implied challenges in implementation of spirituality in health care systems. Practical implications: The findings of the study have identified the elements of spirituality in health care systems not addressed in the previous research. The present study suggests to consider the emotional labor and stress of the doctors developed in the treatment process as the role of doctors is crucial in maintaining the integral health of patients. The implementation challenges of spiritual practices in health care systems are also discussed.

Importance of spiritual ideas in youth education

Importance of spiritual ideas in youth education

Film Review: Who is Encroaching? Narratives of Land Encroachment in Kantara

This paper reviews Kantara: A Legend, a Kannada language movie, released on 30th September 2022. This anthropological action thriller is based on the culture of coastal Karnataka, however cultural borders between Kerala and Karnataka, blur in many places. It flags off issues of tribals, forests, land encroachment and the mythology of smaller hamlets in rural India. ‘Kantara’ has brilliantly manifested the subject of land encroachment using historical narrative. Here, we found three narratives of land encroachment: 1) the Narrative of land encroachment by the feudal Zamindar, 2) the Narrative of Land encroachment by tribals and 3) the Narrative of Land encroachment by forest officers/state actors. While themes of tribal assertion, misogyny, untouchability, women’s empowerment and role conflict are meticulously discussed through character analysis of the movie. Most intriguingly, the ideas of spirituality and community consciousness are discussed through a mythological analysis of the Kola festival, which appears as a site of solidarity and togetherness among the villagers. Overall, these themes have been woven like a fine tapestry of music, dance and drama.

Innovations in sacral architecture: The resettlement churches of Emil Belluš

Abstract The 20th century saw a great breakthrough in architectural innovation; however, this was less evident in sacred buildings. The Evangelical Church of A. C. was inherently innovative, which was also reflected in the architecture of its churches. The innovativeness of the evangelical denomination can be seen in completely new spatial concepts, morphology, the use of new constructions, materials and building technologies, including modern technical equipment of sacral spaces. This article focuses on two buildings by one architect—Emil Belluš (1899-1979), a doyen of Slovak architecture, whose work significantly influenced the field of sacral architecture of the Evangelical Church of A. C. Innovative contributions can first be seen in the design and later in the construction of two evangelical churches in Nesvady and Senec, in Slovakia, built in the 1950s. The churches were part of a project originally intending to build ten new churches for people who had been resettled as part of the government's post-war migration policy. For several decades, these two churches have remained the last addition to sacral buildings constructed in Slovakia. The article deals with the reasons for the creation of church plans, the socio-political situation of that time, circumstances of their construction, and spiritual ideas and creative contribution of the architect Emil Belluš. The research is based on a detailed study of these temples, their layout, and the use of new technologies, construction principles, morphological elements, and other architectural means in which we seek and define an innovative approach to creation.

COMPOSITION“KING ROGER” KAROL SHIMANOVSKY IN PRESENTING IDEAS BLESSING OF THE FAITH

The idea of worshiping Orthodoxy may have long hindered the recognition of the work in Poland itself, where Catholic religion became a component of national emblematics, although it premiered in Poland at the Warsaw Bolshoi Theater in 1926. But in the reference literature it is noted that “much greater success than in Warsaw was “King Roger” in musical Prague (1932) and later in Palermo in Sicily in 1949, where he was staged at the local Teatro Massimo with the participation of the famous Italian artists, in a re-enactment of Bronislaw Horowicz and under the direction of Mieczyslaw Mezheevsky”. And further the author of the same essay in the “Guide to the Opera” J. Kanski noted: “King Roger is an unusual opera. Unusual was already conceived in the imagination of the composer and masterfully realized by Yaroslav Ivashkevich the concept of libretto, which made the place of the action medieval Sicily, interweaving the atmosphere of austere asceticism of the then Christianity with the colorful and mysterious world of Arabic and Byzantine culture, in the figure of the Pastor, who later transformed into the Greek god Dionysus)”. Later on, Kanysky states a whole list of “oddities” that distanced this work from the general public – and the first in that list is “the strangeness of the music itself”, in which the opera-ballet and cantat-oratorial typological components exhibit a high level of artistry, has direct analogues neither in Polish nor in the world as a whole. J. Kansky’s sentence is as follows: what remains of Shimanovsky’s “work is beautiful and lonely”. Such a summary clearly ignores the Eastern and Central European analogies, since the impulse for K. Shimanovsky’s “Dionysian mysteriousness” can be traced back to O. Borodin’s “Polovtsian Ecstatic” the glorification of “severe asceticism” in “St. Francis of Assisi” by O. Messian, whose spiritual ideas were nourished by the Hesychastic energy of the prayerful ecstasy of the mysteriousness of O. Scriabin. However the recognition of K. Shimanovsky really only took place at the beginning of the third millennium, and the Christian background of the Scriabin ecstatic, which was vigorously discussed in the Odesa press in the 1910’s, along with the mysterious samples of the “Drama of the Spirit” by V. Rebikov – was not extended in the 1920’s – 1930’s, when only the folkloristic national-demonstration innovations of the composer were appreciated. In S. Gelman’s preface to the publication of the score of this work by K. Shimanovsky we find some reflections on its genre meaning, from which it is clear that “King Roger” does not represent a pure operatic discovery, but rather constitutes the border of opera and musical drama, marked, however, equally by elements of oratorial, and even features of the mysterious spectacle. This commentary sees the Wagnerian influence, without noticing at the same time the Eastern European origins of K. Shimanovsky’s score and the outspoken scribbling of the composition born in the Ukrainian South. In general, the work has the features of stage oratory, as we find it in the version of I. Stravinsky’s works, and later by K. Orff.

Wat doet de spirituele strijd in de Bekentenissen van het vlees?

Spirituality and struggle in Foucault. The role of spiritual combat In the first two chapters of Confessions of the Flesh the Christian notion of spiritual combat is presented by Foucault as a double paradoxical self-practice of Christian mortification and pastoral power. It is both, constant negative fight against one-self, and never-ending internal war against the temptations of the soul. This rather negative idea of spiritual combat is contrasted with Foucault’s rather positive ideas of war, fight, power, resistance, revolt and spirituality, and ‘the circle of struggle and truth’. It is argued that spiritual combat is used by Foucault both as an extension of his theory of (self-)discipline and as stepping stone to his presentation of the (late) Stoic ascetism of self-care and truth struggle.

Irony of a Global Village: A Spiritual Remedy for Alienation by Hindu Scriptures

This article attempts to posit that modern people are alienated and so feel sad though they are equipped with modern means of comfort. This is ironical. In this connection, this article also attempts to define the concept of "a global village," discuss the psychological problems of alienation and loneliness, created ironically by globalization, and suggest some measures to cope with them from the perspective of the ancient wisdoms of the Hindu scriptural texts such as the Upanishad, the Bhagavad Gītā, the Pātanjali Yoga Sutras, and others. Unlimited, uncontrolled, and selfish desires are the main causes of modern alienation, triggered by the ideas of individualism, capitalism, consumerism, sexism, classicism, hedonism, and narcissism. Since the problems of alienation and loneliness are psychological ones, they can be best treated with the help of spiritual ideas propounded by ancient sages and seers. The permanent solution to these problems cannot be found outside in our external world. Their solutions can be found only inside our body, mind, and intellect with our inner journey to the Self ("Ātmā"). We can practice having vegetarian food, yoga, meditation, self-control over one's body and mind, mutual help, philanthropic activities, and non-violence by minimizing worldly desires, anger, and avarice to facilitate our journey to the Self. The less desires, the more happiness. This knowledge can inspire us avoid running after the temporary happiness attained by materialistic things. By being desireless and detached, we can remain still in the center of the inner Self inside our heart. This is the process of discovering permanent peace and happiness within ourselves to avoid the state of alienation.

Atlantis Restored

Abstract After success in the Thirty Years’ War, elites in Sweden realized that the nation had to establish a new economic base to support its newfound geopolitical prominence. Drawing on the Pan-European natural-knowledge-based political economy, Swedish reformers developed a version uniquely applicable to the nation’s challenges and opportunities. At the center of this new political economy was the use of scientific knowledge to transform nature into usable wealth. Whether physics, alchemy, mechanics, or botany, any form of knowledge with the power to transform nature through mining, agriculture, or manufacturing was considered valuable. Drawing on either Paracelsian spiritual ideas or those of Cartesian materialism, Swedish improvement thinkers sought to penetrate deep into the inner life of nature and thereby unlock the storehouse of wealth that God had placed therein. This article traces how Johan Risingh, Urban Hiärne, Christopher Polhem, and Carl Linnaeus, in conversation with foreign improvers, combined knowledge of the natural world with commercial considerations to form a discourse they hoped would enable Sweden to embark on a trajectory of economic growth and thereby restore its mythical glory as the cradle of European civilization.

СТРУКТУРА ОСОБИСТОСТІ НЕПОВНОЛІТНЬОЇ ЖЕРТВИ КРИМІНАЛЬНОГО ПРАВОПОРУШЕННЯ

The article examines the peculiarities of the structure of a minor victim of a criminal offense. It is indicated that the personality structure of a minor victim of a criminal offense should be understood as a set of objective and subjective factors and factors that affect the index of the probability of a teenager falling into a criminally illegal situation, which is caused by the presence of enabling conditions. It is noted that any victim is a hostage of his own behavior and ability to react to non-standard situations. The determination of victim behavior does not depend on the severity of the criminal offense, it is primarily related to the degree of the actual role of the victim in the mechanism of criminal illegal behavior and its interaction with the subject of the offense. It is summarized that the structure of the personality of a minor victim of a criminal offense should include: 1) demographic characteristics - human characteristics that characterize him as a biological, intelligent being endowed with certain elementary role functions (gender, age, family status, etc.); 2) social and domestic – human characteristics acquired as a result of growing up, which determine the quality of upbringing in the family, educational institutions, etc. Social and household characteristics determine the general idea of a minor about basic things; 3) civic-role – features of a person that shape him as a citizen of the country (observance of constitutional duties); 4) moral and value – a minor's idea of spirituality, self-reflection, understanding of the highest value of human existence and all related matters; 5) psychological and medical - features that are caused by deviations in the child's health, which contributes to victimization; 6) criminological - interaction with a criminal offender and all related objective and subjective factors of victimization. The proposed structure determines the appropriate typology of minor victims of criminal offenses.

Spiritual Care.

The qualitative experience of sickness and death matters. Modern medicine has made important strides in addressing physical-and to some extent psychological-suffering at the end of life, but biomedical models are not properly equipped to respond to spiritual distress. Medical professionals and spiritual care professionals have an obligation, grounded in the bioethical principle of beneficence, to address all forms of suffering and to advocate for better dying. At the same time, they must approach care from a patient-centered standpoint that avoids spiritual or medical paternalism. The bond that clinicians and patients form through discussing and addressing spiritual distress allows patients to develop a clearer perspective of how their values can be best honored by the medical care team. Ultimately, modern individuals, caught between the dizzying array of possible life choices and the inevitability of mortality, experience immense spiritual need. The drive to care for these needs among dying individuals is a worthwhile pursuit, and traditional ideas of spirituality must expand to meet the needs of the modern individual.

Al-Iṣlāḥ menurut Muḥammad al-Makkī al-Nāṣirī dan penerapannya dalam mendepani fasa endemik

On April 1, 2022, Malaysia entered an endemic phase after transitioning from the Covid-19 pandemic. This transition period is intended to allow Malaysians to resume normal life after dealing with the outbreak for the past two years. Therefore, the reforming process is accelerated to ensure the country's welfare which has suffered severely and negatively. The religious point of view, particularly Islam is one of the most important areas in reforming strategies. Many Islamic scholars contributed spiritual ideas to enlighten society and other strategies, such as finance and health. For example, a Moroccan Islamic scholar named Muḥammad al-Makkī al-Nāṣirī worked on a tafsir entitled al-Taysīr fī Aḥādīth al-Tafsīr. Hence, this research was carried out to examine al-Nāṣirī’s thoughts on al-Iṣlāḥ through his tafsir, as well as their applications in dealing with the endemic phase. The study used a qualitative methodology that involved analysing the verses of the Quran that contain words rooted from ṣād - lām - ḥā’ in the tafsir. The findings were then discussed thematically as their applications to the issues confronting the endemic phase. According to the analysis, restoring the endemic phase is not limited to external factors such as environmental reform. It is also necessary to focus on the spiritual collapse and social conflict between communities, which are also part of the causes of world calamity. In this regard, this study is significant for all parties working to improve the world after the Covid-19 pandemic while broadening the dimensions of the improvement strategy in the endemic phase.

Music and Spirituality in Africa: Gospel Music, Spirituality, and Everyday Meaning-Making in Nigeria

This article explores gospel music as one of the ways people negotiate spirituality and everyday meaning-making in Lagos. Beyond sonic spheres and analysis, this article provides insight into ways in which people ‘perform’ spirituality and negotiate wellbeing amidst Nigeria’s social, political, and economic uncertainty through a focus on the ‘celebrity’ character and self-fashioning of one of Nigeria’s gospel music stars, Tope Alabi. Gospel music and its infrastructures of modernity constitute one of the ways Nigerians negotiate wellbeing and respond to global economic tensions ‘from below’. We explore the nexus between gospel music and how the ‘spirituality’ it facilitates shapes people’s subjective ideas of social and economic wellbeing. We ask: what is the link between gospel music, spirituality, and people’s everyday meaning-making and self-making? Using Harry Garuba’s animist unconscious’, we explore ways in which the social life and superstar image of Nigerian ‘celebrity’ gospel musicians constitute sites where people negotiate spirituality and everyday subjective happiness, and social and economic wellbeing. We argue that spirituality, ‘being spiritual’ or the understanding thereof does not only manifest at the intersections of sound and emotion. Instead, we suggest that people’s subjective idea of spirituality or ‘being spiritual’ in a place such as Lagos can also be understood through a focus on the social life and the self-fashioning of gospel musicians. The self-fashioning and superstar image of gospel musicians become a medium through which the everyday idea of spirituality and meaning-making is negotiated, staged, and performed, and a channel through which these processes of meaning-making can be explored and understood.