Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? According to research, the answer should be “yes.” Spirituality is an innate aspect of the human species, a holistic awareness of reality that has the potential to be found in all people, irrespective of whether they are religious or not.
This biological foundation of spirituality is reflected in the brain, as demonstrated by neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and his colleagues in their book (2002), Why God Won’t Go Away. Their research shows that every human brain is uniquely wired to perceive and generate spiritual experiences. So, if you’ve ever felt a connection to something greater than yourself, it’s not just a coincidence – it’s a fundamental aspect of your biology.
There are many definitions of spirituality. In essence, it refers to a heightened awareness, a sense of connectedness with others, both human and non-human, a feeling of unity and harmony with the universe, and a relationship with the material world, other humans, oneself and a higher power or force (that some refer to as God). It goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge and is concerned with the meaning and purpose of life.
Those who have achieved spiritual awareness possess the ability to see beyond the ‘delusion’ of the reality created by the mind and perceive the world in a more profound way. They are able to transcend the limitations of the mind and experience the spiritual dimension first-hand, rather than simply theorizing about it. Their understanding of spiritual reality is not derived from reading or studying the experiences of others, but from their own direct experiences.
To us, spirituality is like a mandatory subject that we should all strive to learn and understand. It is a curriculum that is provided to us through our daily experiences, both positive and negative.
It is possible to attain a new level of consciousness and perceive the world in a different way when one can recognise the interconnectedness of all things.
It is worth noting that the concept of a highly interconnected universe has been recognized in quantum mechanics, with its non-separability being one of the most certain general concepts in physics. This means that every particle appears to be aware of what other particles are doing and reacts accordingly. The Aspect experiment has revealed a new perspective on the world that challenges our previous beliefs. We are all integral parts of a single system, just like the two photons that fly away from each other but still respond to changes happening to one of them. This discovery has profound implications for our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
If we (humans and non-humans) are all interconnected, what we do and think can affect everything around us. There are a few very simple golden rules that help everyone to live in harmony with the world:
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Never harm others because it will come back to you.
Negative emotions like hatred can hurt you more than they hurt others. They destroy you, not them.
The more you give, the more you receive.
So, being spiritual is about feeling connected to everything. It’s about understanding that we’re all part of a bigger picture. And it’s about treating others with kindness and respect.
The work of anthropologists confirm that religion/spirituality provides individuals with comfort, strengths to face obstacles, the joy of serenity and the meaning of life itself.
As humans, we have the potential to tap into a deeper understanding of reality and connect with something greater than ourselves. This innate aspect of our being is something to be celebrated and explored.