Inward Journeys: Forms and Patterns of College Student Spirituality

Abstract

There is considerable evidence that a growing number of college students today are engaged in many new forms of spiritual search and practice. The forms and patterns of contemporary college student spirituality are diverse and multifaceted and not yet well understood or documented. Consequently, there is much to be learned about this recent development in college student spirituality in order to determine its meaning and importance for today's college students as well as for the educational and student developmental efforts of colleges and universities.This article reports on the findings of the authors' research into the contemporary forms and patterns of college student spirituality and offers an analysis and discussion of the implications of these findings for colleges and universities. The authors examine in particular the behaviors and involvements of college students related to spiritual search activities and what some colleges and universities are doing to respond to this important student trend. _____________________________________________________________________________ growing number of college students are participating in a variety of activities that, in one form or another, provide gateways to the inner life of reflection and self-examination (Higher Education Research Institute, 2004;Mooney, 2005;Gallup, 1998; CRRUCS/Gallup, 2003;Dalton, 2003). Perhaps the most powerful metaphors for the spirituality movement among college students today are "inward journey" and "quest." When college students write or are asked about spirituality, they consistently describe it as a journey or quest that takes them inward into the unknown, unexamined regions of their inner lives. It is a journey of introspection and reflection that students sometimes take alone and at other times in the company of others. When asked about the object or purpose of their spiritual journeys, college students often describe it as an inward search for purpose, meaning, fulfillment, depth, wholeness, and authenticity. They describe a journey of discovery that is, in the end, not only about understanding themselves in a deeper and more authentic way but also about discovering their purpose and destiny in life and how these connect to what they believe is sacred and transcendent. Sharon Parks (2000) describes the inner search of youth as a quest to answer the "big" questions of life. A College students take many paths on their inward journeys. Some make their spiritual searches within the context of a religious faith orientation. The spiritual practices in which they engage are directly connected to the community beliefs, rituals, symbols, and meanings of their personal faith tradition. Other students choose to explore paths outside the boundaries of a Jon C. Dalton is Associate Professor of Higher Education and Director of the

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