Spirituality

Spirituality and Well-Being: Theory, Science, and the Nature Connection

The links between spirituality and eudaimonic well-being are examined, beginning with a look at theoretical issues as to whether spirituality is best construed as part of well-being, or as a possible influence on well-being. A brief review of scientific findings from the MIDUS study linking religion and spirituality to well-being and other outcomes is then provided to show recent empirical work on these topics. Suggestions for future work are also provided. The third section is forward-thinking and addresses the power of nature to nurture spirituality and well-being, beginning with a look at how current research has linked nature to human flourishing. Issues of spirituality are rarely mentioned in this literature, despite evidence that nature has long been a source of inspiration in poetry, literature, art, and music. These works reveal that the natural world speaks to the human soul. To explore such ideas, parts of Jungian psychology are revisited: the soul’s longing for poetry, myth, and metaphor; the importance of animism, which sees nature as a field inhabited by spirit; and the devaluing of ancient cultures. The final section considers the wisdom of the indigenous peoples who saw spirit in everything. Their inputs, exemplified with “Two-Eyed Seeing”, offer new visions for thinking about the interplay of spirituality, well-being, and the natural world.

Spirituality and Well-Being: Theory, Science, and the Nature Connection Carol D. Ryff Citation: Ryff, Carol D. 2021. Spirituality and Well-Being: Theory, Science, and the Nature Connection. Religions 12: 914. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/rel12110914 Academic Editor: Pninit Russo-Netzer Received: 15 September 2021 Accepted: 14 October 2021 Published: 21 October 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Copyright: © 2021 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Institute on Aging, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; cryff@wisc.edu

The Interrelationship of Shinrin-Yoku and Spirituality: A Scoping Review

Shinrin-yoku (SY; Forest Bathing) is an integrative practice known to improve humans’ physiologic and psychologic health and well-being by mindfully using the five human senses while relaxing in natural environments. In addition, it may be effective in enhancing or revealing human spirituality. The World Health Organization defines an individual’s well-being as an awareness of one’s fullest possible physical, psychologic, social, spiritual, and economic self. Recent evidence suggests that nature promotes spiritual well-being. Hence, the authors performed a scoping review of the literature with regard to the evidence of the interrelationship of SY/nature and spirituality with an aim to identify gaps in knowledge and assist with furthering empirical research. Of 30 publications, 13 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the synthesis. The authors discovered that, despite the different research methodologies and publications, nature may have a positive effect on human spirituality and, therefore, enriching individuals’ well-being. SY is an integrative practice that may enhance or actualize human spirituality. More research is needed to determine the interrelationship of SY and human spirituality in achieving one’s fullest possible self.

Hansen MM, Jones R. The Interrelationship of Shinrin-Yoku and Spirituality: A Scoping Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26(12):1093-1104. doi: 10.1089/acm.2020.0193. 

The Interrelationship of Shinrin-Yoku and Spirituality: A Scoping Review

Hansen MM, Jones R. The Interrelationship of Shinrin-Yoku and Spirituality: A Scoping Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26(12):1093-1104. doi: 10.1089/acm.2020.0193