Interesting read:
Relationship Between Spirituality and Science
The relationship between spirituality and science is not necessarily contentious but has certainly had its difficulties.
Scientifically tracking emotions can be like searching for meaning in the shapes we see in the clouds. While the experience of emotions varies from person to person, the experience of transcendent emotions can be seen as more universal and is connected to spirituality.
Self-transcendent emotions connect us all through prosocial behavior (Stellar, et al., 2017). Emotions like
gratitude, compassion, and awe connect us all through their prosocial capacity. Transcendent emotions promote behaviors that connect human beings and stabilize prosocial connection (Haidt, 2003).
Self-transcendent emotions:
- compassion
- awe
- gratitude
- appreciation
- inspiration
- admiration
- elevation
- love
These emotions have a particular capability of bonding individuals together. They are linked with higher levels of spirituality. As self-transcendent emotions are others-focused, more meaningful, purpose-filled interactions are possible.
Many
positive psychology interventions are grounded in ancient religious and spiritual teachings, which are not typically included in treatment for psychopathology. There are empirically validated interventions for the following four virtues: hope, gratitude, forgiveness, and self-compassion (Rye, M.S. et al., n.d.).
By exploring the
psychological theory behind these four virtues, science and spirituality can collectively serve more people.
The psychology of hope began in the 1950s. The explanation of hope was, at that time, focused on one’s goal attainment. In positive psychology, it has expanded to explain the process of goal attainment better.
The theory includes both pathways to goal attainment and agency. Hopeful thought reflects the belief that one can find pathways to desired goals and become motivated to use those pathways (Snyder, C.R. et al., 1991). Hope, by this definition, drives the emotions and wellbeing of human beings.
Depending on one’s world view, hope interventions can help find pathways to connect with the divine and improve one’s wellbeing. It will differ by religion and one’s understanding of the role of the divine in the agency of hope. Interventions that respect the individual’s worldview will clearly be more accepted and helpful.
The psychology of gratitude is conceptualized as a higher emotion connected to morality.
Gratitude has been described in science as a prosocial moral emotion that serves:
a) As a moral barometer because it indicates when an interpersonal interaction is perceived as beneficial and
b) One’s power is limited (McCullough & Tsang, 2004).
The benefits of the practice of gratitude are far-reaching, regardless of religious ideation.
The psychology of forgiveness has various definitions. The broadest definition is an adaptive human instinct activated in certain social situations (McCullough, 2008). By this definition, forgiveness does not require a future relationship with someone who has wronged you. It frees you instead of the instinct for vengeance.
The psychology of self-compassion has been empirically backed through the work of
Kristin Neff. Self-compassion is conceptualized in three components (Neff, 2003):
- Expressing kindness toward oneself and viewing one’s shortcomings with a non-judgemental attitude.
- Connecting one’s experience of suffering with that of the collective human experience.
- Become mindful of suffering without becoming attached or making it a part of one’s identity.
These four virtues of hope, gratitude, forgiveness, and self-compassion are found in all areas of religion in various ways. Spirituality and science overlap in foundational ways to allow for the human experience to bond us in a collective experience. Interventions that value the unique world view of each individual will be more impactful, as they allow for individual belief systems to be enhanced by science.
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