Character Strengths as Manifestations of Spiritual Life: Realizing the Non-Dual From the Dual

Abstract

There is a noticeable increase in interest in the study of spirituality within the context of positive psychology. A review of the literature shows several parallels between dimensions of spirituality as explored within psychology of religion and spirituality and those of the VIA model of character strengths (CSs) as developed in positive psychology. However, coming from the domain of psychology rather than theology, these studies do not go deeply into the paradoxes that exist at the heart of various traditions regarding the nature of the spiritual or non-dual. Moreover, these studies lack a more comprehensive view of the nature of CSs and virtues. Our suggestion is to expand CS science to a wider context, extend the perspective from the individual to the transcendent, and understand the actualization of the capacity of CSs to be pathways to spiritual life. We argue that the actualization of all CSs allows for microcosms of a realization of unity. We believe that framing VIA's CSs as a classification of the positive human spirit, and therefore rightfully placing it in the domain of human spirituality, holds great potential for both domains. We start by considering common basic assumptions emerging from various spiritual traditions and continue with a suggestion that CSs be seen as various pathways from duality to non-duality and by illustrating ways in which spirituality can be understood and practiced by the use of CSs.

The Practice of Character Strengths: Unifying Definitions, Principles, and Exploration of What’s Soaring, Emerging, and Ripe With Potential in Science and in Practice

“…They offer two theoretical pathways by which character strengths and spirituality integrate and mutually benefit one another – the grounding path (where strengths offer tangibility and thereby deepen spirituality) and the sanctification path (where spirituality can elevate character strengths) and expound on several integration practices for each pathway that are grounded in science. Another article ( Littman-Ovadia and David, 2020 , this issue) shares how character strengths contribute to non-dual spirituality. Future studies might examine these pathways of integration and the practices therein.…”

Integrating positive psychology and spirituality in the context of climate change

“…greater wholeness. Littman-Ovadia and David (2020) propose a bilateral relationship between character strengths and spirituality (associated with Non-duality).…”

“…Echoing the dialectical nature of the psyche, as identified by PP 2.0, we need to fully recognize the existence of paradox so we can find ways to transcend it (Tickerhoof, 2002). This process of transformation may solicit higher levels of consciousness that transcend binary understandings of balance, such as non-dual reality (Davis, 2011;Littman-Ovadia and David, 2020).…”