Measuring Spirituality and Spiritual Emptiness: Toward Ecumenicity and Transcultural Applicability

Abstract

The authors review Eastern and Western conceptions of spirituality, explicate the spirituality construct and differentiate it from religiosity, propose strategies for achieving ecumenicity and transcultural applicability, and suggest innovative techniques for measuring spirituality and spiritual emptiness. The essential attributes of ecumenical spirituality are that it (a) is concerned with existential or transcendent questions; (b) belongs to the domain of cardinal values underlying all aspects of life; and (c) is self-reflective, and hence metacognitive, in nature. The paths to spirituality are many and are grounded in different values and beliefs across philosophical-religious traditions. However, commonalities may be extracted at a high level of abstraction and with maximal inclusiveness. Thus, the goal of ecumenicity, and hence transcultural applicability, is attainable.

Quality of life and well‐being of people receiving haemodialysis treatment in Scotland: A cross‐sectional survey

“…Pargament (1999a) debates whether it may or may not and asserts that finding meaning in life, which might be considered as part of existentialism, is not spiritual in nature or complexity. Further consideration of Stifoss-Hansen"s definition of existentialist spirituality suggests that one seeks to know the self, free from beliefs, feelings and identities or labels created upon fear of losing one"s physical and psychological identities (Ho and Ho, 2007). Seeking the self has a higher degree of complexity and may therefore require a lifetime dedication and self-discipline to master (if mastering the pursuit is, truly, possible) (Hamel et al, 2003).…”

Towards Body–Mind–Spirit Integration: East Meets West in Clinical Social Work Practice

“…In the mental and spiritual domain, ideas borrowed from Eastern philosophy that potentially facilitate the reframing of the meaning of suffering and the reorganization of values and purposes in life are utilized. Spirituality in the I-BMS model is defined as meaning and peace of mind, so encompassing a notion that transcends religion (Ho and Ho 2007). As change in any one domain is likely to induce change in the others, practitioners have great flexibility and creativity in integrating the different intervention components in tailoring a treatment plan for their clients.…”

The context of resilience among at-risk Bahamian youth

“…More than 90% of the sample acknowledged believing in a Higher Power; however, there was great variation with the role or importance in their lives. This difficulty in measuring spirituality is not new and the lack of a definition has been credited as one of the reasons spirituality is not more heavily researched within psychology (Ho & Ho, 2007). Despite this limitation, the interviews from Phase One did offer some insight into the role of spirituality in the lives of urban Bahamian youth.…”