‘Spirituality’ in Health Studies: Competing Spiritualities and the Elevated Status of Mindfulness

Abstract

The article investigates discourses of ‘spirituality’ in the field of Health Studies, among scholarly voices and the voices of the practitioners and patients these studies reflect. It examines current trends in contemporary spirituality as well as links with debates involving science, religion and secularisation. The article argues that, in the public domain, ‘spirituality’ is beginning to denote a collective practice rather than an individual search for meaning. Furthermore, the article identifies some common understandings of spirituality in the context of Health Studies and health environments, such as it being a tool that can facilitate closeness and emotional exchanges. Finally, it proposes that the success and, as I will show, elevated status of ‘mindfulness’ in this field points to ‘competing spiritualities’, despite shared understandings.

A systemic approach to resilience and ecological sustainability during the COVID-19 pandemic: Human, societal, and ecological health as a system-wide emergent property in the Anthropocene

“…Researchers argue that spirituality is starting to be a collective practice rather than an individual’s search for meaning. They have also identified spirituality in health research contexts as a tool for closeness and emotional exchanges [ 71 ] and for decreasing stress [ 72 ]. In particular, Zen is a spiritual path that leads to healing in the personal, social, and ecological dimensions [ 73 ].…”

Consulting with a folk deity before making decisions: spiritual practices in parents facing end-of-life decisions for their child on life support with brain stem dysfunction

“…Previous studies have described the support that religion and spirituality provide to parents when they are making difficult medical care decisions for their critically ill child (Allen, 2014;Ahmed et al, 2006;Chaplin et al, 2005;Koenig, 2002Koenig, , 2009Meyer et al, 2002;Michelson et al, 2009;Robinson et al, 2006;Superdock et al, 2018). Religion and spirituality comfort and strengthen parents (Seeman et al, 2003;Superdock et al, 2018), help them believe in miracles (Allen, 2014;Boss et al, 2008), and allow them to delay their acceptance of the harsh reality of their situation (Superdock et al, 2018), allowing them to be more optimistic (Nita, 2019) and less depressed (Madrigal et al, 2016). Yet, most of what is known about the support of religion and spirituality during end-of-life decision-making comes from studies performed in Western religious contexts (Bally et al, 2014;Bülow et al, 2012;Hexem et al, 2011;Kylmä & Juvakka, 2007;Superdock et al, 2018).…”

“…Spiritual practice is defined in this study as an action or practice focusing on an internal and external sense of connection to something outside the self, such as a higher being, for the purpose of good outcomes and strength. These practices are diverse based on parents' religion and culture and include prayers, rituals, practicing mindfulness, taking part in religious observances, or talking or confessing to one another in meaningful ways (Nita, 2019;Superdock et al, 2018). There are a total of 12,271 registered temples in Taiwan (Ministry of the Interior, 2019), and 38.5% of the Taiwanese population practice folk religions (Fu, 2018).…”

What’s the Point of Clinical Pastoral Education and Pastoral Counselling Education? Political, Developmental, and Professional Considerations

“…In recent years, spirituality has become a significant concern in health care (Nita, 2019; Puchalski et al., 2009; Puchalski, Vitillo, Hull, & Reller, 2014; Steinhauser et al., 2017). This is indicated by numerous studies being published that explore the efficacy of so-called spiritual interventions in alleviating physical, psychological, spiritual, and religious distress in patients experiencing various medical conditions (e.g.…”

“…This is indicated by numerous studies being published that explore the efficacy of so-called spiritual interventions in alleviating physical, psychological, spiritual, and religious distress in patients experiencing various medical conditions (e.g. Jafari et al., 2013; Nita, 2019; Oh & Kim, 2014; van Gordon et al., 2016). Many of these studies examine interventions like meditation, breathing techniques, or various modalities of spiritually sensitive and/or spiritually integrated talk therapy.…”