Are we well?

Written by: Tekalign Nega Angore (PhD)

We often greet each other with ‘How are you?’ or ‘Are you well?’ Now, we have started to refine the question, saying “Is everything okay?” This newer greeting acknowledges the complexities of life and I prefer it over the simpler ‘Are you well?’ It would be beneficial if we asked ourselves this question as well, not just others.

But what does it mean to be well? Some of us equate health with the absence of illness. However, according to the World Health Organization, health is much more than that._[2] It encompasses our mental, emotional, physical, social, occupational, financial, environmental, and spiritual well-being. If we reduce health to just physical well-being, we are missing out on a lot. This article will focus specifically on spiritual well-being.

Spirituality and Religion

In our society, spirituality is often intertwined with religion. This is largely due to the fact that Ethiopians are highly religious, and we tend to view all spiritual experiences through a religious lens. Consequently, we often assume that someone who is not religious cannot be spiritual. Additionally, we may require that individuals align with a particular faith tradition to be considered spiritual.

However, from a sociological, psychological, and philosophical standpoint, spirituality is not solely tied to religion. Evidence of this can be seen in the growing number of people who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” According to a 2023 Pew Research study, 22% of Americans fall into this category._[3]

It’s interesting to note that this group includes not only those who belong to non-traditional religious groups but also those who identify as non-religious. This raises the question: What does spirituality mean if both religious and non-religious people can identify with it?

How can both religious and non-religious individuals identify with spirituality? It’s because they both believe that life has a deeper meaning that extends beyond the physical and the tangible. This belief separates spirituality from materialism and suggests that life is about more than just material possessions; it’s about seeking a higher purpose and meaning.

For non-religious spiritual individuals, spirituality is about finding personal meaning and wonder in life. While religious individuals may ground their beliefs in a higher power and an afterlife, non-religious individuals often find meaning in the natural world, human connections, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding._[4]

Whether religious or not, people who seek a deeper meaning in life are asking questions like: “What is my purpose?”, “What kind of person should I be?”, and “What truly matters in life?” These are spiritual questions that both religious and non-religious individuals grapple with. This is why spirituality is often defined as a search for meaning and purpose in life.

Characteristics of Spiritual People

Spiritual individuals have a unique perspective on life. They see beyond the material and superficial; their vision is expansive and unrestricted. Their hearts and minds are aligned in a harmonious way. They approach life with a profound sense of wonder, finding significance in everything. They recognize the interconnectedness of all things. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine a spiritual person who isn’t filled with awe and admiration for the natural world.

Spiritual people do not seek fame, fortune, or power. Their inquiries and reflections are not driven by self-interest. They have a deep respect, wonder, and love for nature. Their hearts are pure and childlike, and they find beauty and truth in all things. Believing spiritual individuals see the divine in everything, beyond the surface of beauty and truth.

Spiritual individuals are deeply in touch with their emotions. Their relationships are profound, and they perceive the world in ways that others may not. They find meaning and purpose in the most ordinary of things.

Spiritual people prioritize kindness and character. Their actions are motivated by love rather than fear or judgment. Their relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding. They are friends to all and embrace diversity. Humility is their greatest wealth.

Spiritual individuals are compassionate and empathetic. They share in the joys and sorrows of others. They are mindful of their words and actions, always considering how they might impact others. Spiritual people appreciate the simple pleasures of life. They find wonder in the daily rituals of life, such as watching the sunrise.

Spiritual people are fiercely loyal to their values. They are willing to sacrifice for what they believe in. They face challenges with courage and find joy even in the face of death. They live with purpose and direction.

Spiritual individuals are humble and self-aware. They are not arrogant and recognize their own limitations. They are open to criticism and quick to apologize for their mistakes. They approach life with a sense of balance and perspective. Their needs are simple, and they find contentment in the present moment.

Above all, spiritual people are compassionate. They are generous and giving. They treat others with kindness and compassion. They are forgiving and seek to understand rather than condemn.

The Benefits and Path of Spirituality

Spirituality offers numerous benefits. Let’s focus on its impact on our health. Studies have shown that spiritual people tend to live longer lives. They are more resilient when faced with life’s challenges, such as illnesses and difficult situations. Additionally, they recover more quickly from illnesses and surgeries. _[5] These, and many other benefits, make us wonder how we can cultivate our spiritual well-being.

How can we foster our spiritual health? First, we need to understand what spirituality means to us. Our understanding of spirituality can be linked to religious traditions and practices, acknowledging the existence of a higher power, living by the golden rule, recognizing and cultivating the divine presence, appreciating the intricacies of life, forming deep connections with others and nature, and having a profound respect and awe for something greater than ourselves._[6] We should strive to live in accordance with our understanding.

We should also ask ourselves questions like: Who am I? What is my purpose? What matters most to me? These questions require thoughtful reflection and quiet time. In our fast-paced world, it’s essential to create space for introspection so that the noise of the world doesn’t drown out our inner voice. By taking the time to reflect, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our values.

Beyond reflection, practices like prayer, meditation, rituals, reading sacred texts, spending time in nature, and engaging in the arts can nourish our spiritual lives. We should remember that spirituality can be cultivated in our everyday actions. By approaching our daily tasks with mindfulness and intention, we can appreciate the beauty and wonder of life. When we do this, we feel more connected to something greater than ourselves, and our overall well-being improves.

[1] Given that the article was originally written in Amharic and then translated into English using AI, it’s important to be mindful of potential nuances that might have been lost in translation.

[2]  Chirico, Francesco. “Spiritual well-being in the 21st century: It’s time to review the current WHO’s health definition.” Journal of Health and Social Sciences 1, no. 1 (2016): 11-16.

[3]  https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/12/07/who-are-spiritual-but-not-religious-americans/

[4]  Taira, T. (2012). Atheist spirituality: a follow on from New Atheism?. Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis, 24, 388–404. https://doi.org/10.30674/scripta.67423.

[5] Puchalski, Christina M. “The role of spirituality in health care.” In Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 352-357. Taylor & Francis, 2001.

[6] Ammerman, Nancy T. “Spiritual but not religious? Beyond binary choices in the study of religion.” Journal for the scientific study of religion 52, no. 2 (2013): 258-278.