Spirituality in the 21st Century

Spirituality is a phenomena wherein a human being connects with something beyond oneself. It could mean energy on a level of consciousness higher than themselves. God, Universe, Higher self are the phrases used to constrain them into singular or two words.

Conceptually, it’s the methodological yet fluid process of an individual accessing states of being which would often be blocked or the kind that the individual is not conscientious of in daily life. Being spiritual translates to holding faith in something bigger than oneself. The feeling is similar to when you sit in Marine Drive and look out into the ocean- “In front of the vast waters, all my problems seem infinitesimally small.” A collective sentiment that is echoed by regular goers or even those who traverse the Queen’s Necklace for the first time.

Evolution of Spirituality

Modern notions of spirituality developed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, mixing Christian ideas with Western esoteric traditions and elements of Asian, especially Indian, religions. Spirituality became increasingly disconnected from traditional religious organizations and institutions.

Today, spirituality is a worldview that suggests a dimension to life beyond what we experience on the physical and sensory levels. It can include religious or cultural practices and beliefs, a connection with others and the world, and self-improvement. For example, some say that spending time in nature can help them feel more connected to themselves and others.

According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 41% of U.S. adults say they have become more spiritual over the course of their lives, compared to 24% who say they have become more religious. This suggests that spirituality may increase as people age, which could be a natural developmental phenomenon.

Moreover, the New Age Movement is a spiritual movement that spread through religious communities in the 1970s and 80s but dwindled soon after. New Age spirituality still exists in multiple different forms, albeit on a lesser scale today.

Mental Well-Being

Believing in a power or the workings of mechanisms greater than oneself provides a wall—a refuge where sentient, technologically advanced apes, tormented by the consequences of their creations or their place on a floating ball composed of 70% water, can rest their backs.

Believing in something bigger than ourselves takes away the humongous anxieties and complexes we experience in our day to day lives. Akin to how we observe ants as minutely small beings, we ourselves are specks of dust revolving on a ball composed of 70% water. There are so many aspects of life which we have no control over but we nevertheless continue to worry and stress about them till our end. Knowing and accepting that we are connected to a power bigger than us provides us ease and relief. It tells us that we are not alone here and there is someone looking out for us. That feeling lets us lead our lives in a much happier way and accept what we can do and spend more time in those actions. 

Lets face it, the collective truth that everyone shies away and runs away from is that life is scary. We do not know the answers to a bunch of questions. Energy is a truth we can feel, it’s a law of nature. Connecting to a part of ourselves, which is higher in consciousness and granted with the ability to make decisions for the best of ourselves is something we all have access to. Beneath the psychological distortions we experience through social conditionings we have a part in every single one of us that is divine- as humans we are all connected beneath the separations we construct for our superiority or inferiority. That part of us provides wholeness and dictates our actions towards humanity and growth - it lets us shed our conditionings with each step towards a higher purpose. It helps reduce stress levels and improves resilience in challenging situations. Over time, this leads to better mental health, enhanced psychological well-being, and a lower risk of hypertension.

In the 21st century, spirituality is practiced in a variety of ways that foster inner peace. One popular practice is spending time in nature—whether it's walking barefoot on the grass or strolling through the woods, connecting with nature provides stress relief and helps bring one back to the present moment. It aligns the mind-body connection which is often distorted due to the high technology dependent times we survive in. Meditation is another essential practice, where dedicating even just 10 minutes to immerse oneself quiet cabin of one’s thoughts and remaining an observer to them can lead to clarity. Yoga, with its focus on unifying the mind, body, and spirit, promotes emotional regulation and enhances concentration and mental health. Volunteering, too, is a powerful spiritual practice. Spending personal time to help other people provides a sense of fulfillment which is akin to a spiritual wholeness. The act of giving not only nurtures personal growth but also connects us to the core essence of humanity.

Spirituality and Religion

Many people incorrectly believe spirituality to be the same as religion. Religion is mostly an institutionalised set of beliefs, attitudes, and practices directed toward worshipping a god or a supernatural being. It is a well-structured belief system passed on for generations in the form of written scriptures and established cultural practices. Religions have hierarchies of leaders who act as formal representatives of the institution.

On the other hand, spirituality is a personal search for a connection with the divine and an awareness of one’s place in the grand scheme of things. It may or may not involve holding a set of beliefs regarding the item, or the thoughts can change over time as one experiences spiritual growth. Spirituality involves a personal quest for meaning in life, while religion involves an organized entity with rituals and practices focusing on a higher power or God. 

The Future of Spirituality

With the rise of a dominating way of life, it is inevitable for spirituality to be packaged and sold under a system of commodification in the current world. There have been a rapid growth in spiritual influencers who spread information about spiritual concepts as self attested gurus to capitalize on people who are not well informed on the same. Posing as thought leaders they give misleading information to unsuspecting followers and cause mental as well as fiduciary trouble. It is wise to verify such influencers by doing online background checks as one would do on financial promoters for the stock one would invest in.

Moreover, with the rapid advent of the modern world, there is a documented rise in people’s capacity to believe in something bigger than oneself. Research has proven that spirituality has become a more common route for such a person to seek answers than religion. It is safe to say that the coming generation is not settling for answers that have been given. There is an unscrupulous desire to seek, to journey and to find answers by one’s own experiential learning. Spirituality provides this path. Equipped with communities who walk along the same path it provides an excellent way for individuals to form their own wisdom and meaningful experiences. Providing a connection with oneself which enhances an outlook on one’s place in the world. It helps explore values and provide a sense of identity by which an individual can govern and author their existence and what it stands for.