What is Spirituality? Healing Through Spiritual Growth
I grew up in a dogmatic religion, and it has taken me the better part of two decades to unlearn the parts that do not serve me — and to embody the ways spirituality remains a part of my life. Spirituality is a universal experience, independent of religion, though for some it may be experienced through their relationship with it. I like to think of spirituality as a collective energy we can all tap into: an energy of oneness, interconnectedness, and the harmony that threads through all of us.
Spirituality is also a connection to oneself, to wholeness, and to a nuanced understanding of the soul — embracing both light and shadow, as Carl Jung reminds us: “Wholeness is not achieved by cutting off a portion of one’s being, but by integration of the contraries.” A person can relate to their own spirituality in myriad ways, and it becomes most meaningful when self-defined. Therapy can be a space for this exploration, where attuned support helps cultivate awareness, growth, and healing.
At its core, spirituality asks us to slow down, to notice, and to witness the sacredness in life. It invites curiosity about ourselves and the world around us, helping us step into life with presence, reverence, and care. It is not about perfection, attainment, or following rules — it is about returning to ourselves, remembering what matters, and nurturing our capacity to experience wonder.
Defining Spirituality
Spirituality can be accessed through countless doorways, each unique to the person who walks through it. For some, it is prayer, ritual, or meditation; for others, movement, creativity, or mindful breath. For some, it is storytelling, song, or dance. For others, it is tending a garden, observing the moon, or engaging in ceremonial practices passed down through generations. What feels sacred to you is yours alone — and that is part of its beauty.
At its heart, spirituality is about connection: to yourself, to others, and to something larger than you — whether that is the earth, community, ancestors, or the cosmos. This connection can become a steadying pillar, a reminder that you are not alone, not separate, and not untethered. It is a quiet thread linking us to the vast tapestry of existence.
Meaning and Purpose
Meaning and purpose are central facets of spirituality. Seeking meaning involves reaching for depth beyond the surface, noticing what makes your heart beat stronger, and cultivating awe, gratitude, and reverence for the fullness of life. It may appear in a creative project, in tending relationships, in service to others, or simply in noticing the subtle beauty in ordinary moments.
Purpose orients you toward what feels true and life-giving, whether through work, care, art, or daily choices aligned with your values. Purpose does not always arrive as a grand calling; sometimes it is a soft pull, a quiet nudge, or a series of small decisions that anchor us to what matters most. Purpose and meaning, intertwined, act as a guiding light — helping us navigate the uncertainties of life with a sense of coherence and hope.
What Does It Mean To Be Spiritual?
To express spirituality is as vast as the ocean and as tall as the mountains. There is no right or wrong path — only an invitation to discover what feels true for you. For me, the word reverence captures this essence. Reverence is both practice and posture: honoring life, noticing the sacred in the ordinary, and tending to what is divine within and around us.
Practicing reverence might look like:
Pausing to honor the cycles of nature
Extending compassion and kindness to all beings, including yourself
Cultivating awareness, curiosity, and gratitude
Living authentically in expression and relationships
Journaling to witness your inner growth
Creating art or music that channels your inner world
Spirituality also involves meeting your shadow — those disowned or unacknowledged parts of yourself. Shadow work is an integral aspect of wholeness, asking us to hold our vulnerabilities, fears, and regrets with compassion. Practices like reflective journaling, guided meditation, or dialogue with a trusted therapist can illuminate these hidden corners, allowing integration rather than suppression. Spirituality is growth-oriented, guided by meaning and purpose, and rooted in a deep remembering that life itself is sacred.
Spirituality vs Religion
Some people move through the world with an openness to the sacred without belonging to a church, temple, or set of doctrines. They may identify as spiritual but not religious — exploring curiosity, reverence, and personal practice outside of doctrine. Their spirituality might bloom in quiet moments: walking in the forest, listening to music that lifts the heart, journaling, or tending rituals that anchor meaning in daily life. It is a practice of noticing, of connection, and of living in alignment with what feels true.
Can You Be Spiritual Without Believing in God?
Absolutely. Spirituality does not require a deity. It can emerge through wonder, presence, and connection — to nature, relationships, or creative expression. Skeptics, atheists, and agnostics often find spiritual resonance in patterns of the natural world, the depth of human relationships, or acts of creation. Religion often asks for adherence; spirituality asks for noticing. It is personal, fluid, and expansive — open to anyone willing to walk its path.
Religion and spirituality can intersect, but they are not synonymous. Religion often provides structure, doctrine, and communal belonging, while spirituality is a living practice, adaptable and individual. Both can enrich life when approached consciously, but spirituality remains accessible to anyone, regardless of belief, background, or tradition.
Embodying Spirituality in Daily Life
A spiritual life can take many forms, and it is often found in the ordinary as much as in the extraordinary. Ritual as spiritual practice might include: lighting a candle to mark reflection, brewing tea with mindfulness, journaling, or creating art. Meditation, breathwork, or yoga can anchor awareness in the body. Movement practices like dance, yoga, strength training, or walking meditation cultivate presence and attunement.
Nature offers grounding and awe: observing the changing seasons, gardening, walking barefoot on the earth, or listening to the wind in the trees can become spiritual exploration. Community too can be spiritual: sharing meals, storytelling, ceremonies, service, or conversation cultivates belonging and reminds us that we are not alone on our journey.
Spirituality is also found in micro-moments: pausing to notice the sun on your skin, the taste of your food, the texture of your hands, or the rhythm of your breath. These small acts, when approached with attention, become sacred, offering presence and connection in the everyday.
Spiritual Questions to Explore:
Why am I here?
What threads tie my life together?
How do I express what feels sacred to me?
When do I feel most alive or connected?
What recurring patterns or symbols appear in my inner life?
How do I create rituals or incorporate mindfulness into my daily life?
How does spirituality intersect with queer, BIPOC, or other marginalized identities?
Spiritual Self-Care Practices: Healing Through Spirituality
Intentional spiritual self-care nurtures connection, meaning, and purpose. Practices can help navigate stress, trauma, and the challenges of everyday life, offering grounding, presence, and a reminder that we are part of something larger.
Practices to explore:
Meditation or breathwork, from mindfulness to loving-kindness
Journaling, reflective writing, or guided prompts for shadow integration
Yoga, dance, or mindful movement to unify body and mind
Spending intentional time in nature: forest bathing, gardening, or listening to wildlife
Rituals: lighting candles, honoring ancestors, celebrating seasons, or creating personal ceremonies
Therapy or guided spiritual counseling
Creative expression: painting, music, dance, or movement improvisation
Spiritual Practices for Trauma
For those carrying trauma, spiritual practices can be restorative when approached gently and with consent. Mindful breathing, grounding exercises, and ritualized pauses create safety, reconnecting body, mind, and spirit. Practices like somatic awareness, body scanning, or movement meditation allow people to inhabit their bodies safely, processing emotion without judgment. Spiritual self-care provides tools for presence, self-compassion, and reclaiming agency over one’s inner life, creating a container for healing that honors individuality.
The Purpose and Benefits of Spirituality
Spirituality cultivates connection, meaning, and alignment. It invites slowing down, noticing, and engaging with life in ways that honor wholeness. Practices provide space to process emotion, integrate experiences, and nurture self-compassion, fostering resilience, hope, and a sense of purpose.
Spiritual Healing & Mental Health
Research demonstrates that spiritual engagement can support wellbeing, emotional regulation, and community connection. Those who participate in spiritual practices often report reduced anxiety, greater resilience, and a stronger sense of meaning. In therapeutic contexts, and in our work with clients at Reverie, spiritual growth can complement EMDR and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), deepening insight, enhancing embodiment, and supporting trauma recovery.
Spirituality is not a replacement for therapy but a partner — helping us meet ourselves with curiosity, reverence, and presence. Integrated approaches honor both mind and soul, body and heart, creating space for profound healing, self-discovery, and personal transformation.
Spirituality, Identity, and Inclusivity
Spirituality is not separate from who we are; it is deeply intertwined with our identities, experiences, and the ways we navigate the world. Reclaiming it is a radical act of self-recognition, especially for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities historically excluded, pathologized, or erased within traditional religious frameworks. Spirituality is inherently inclusive: it is not bound by doctrine, deity, or background. Anyone can explore and cultivate a spiritual practice — atheist, agnostic, religious, or skeptical. Reclaiming spirituality means creating a sacred space where your body, desire, and self-expression are honored, where your truth can be witnessed and celebrated.
At Reverie, we hold this inclusivity as central: your spirituality does not have to look like anyone else’s. It can be tender, radical, embodied, intellectual, mystical, or playful — or all of these at once. Spiritual practices can support healing, self-expression, and growth, while creating a sense of belonging in a world that often marginalizes difference. When approached with care and curiosity, spirituality offers a sanctuary where identity and soul meet, allowing each person to reclaim their sacred Self on their own terms.
Closing Reflection
Spirituality is deeply personal, expansive, and as diverse as the people who seek it. It is not about following rules or achieving perfection — it is about noticing the sacred in everyday life, cultivating connection, and exploring meaning and purpose on your own terms. Whether through meditation, ritual, creative expression, nature, or community, spirituality offers a path to healing, self-discovery, and resilience. It meets us wherever we are, honoring our identities, experiences, and truths.
Your spiritual journey is yours to define. You can explore it in quiet reflection, in therapy, in shared practice with others, or in the rhythms of daily life. At Reverie, we offer spaces to support this exploration — from group experiences to individual guidance — helping you reconnect with your inner wisdom, reclaim your magic, and step into your life with more presence and reverence.
Take a gentle step today: consider what small act or practice could bring a sense of sacredness into your day, and allow yourself to begin there.