In a recent British survey, 39% of people described themselves as 'not religious', while only 12% described themselves as 'not spiritual'.

Spirituality is distinct from religion, though many people find their spiritual base in the major world religions. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines religion as:

'The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal god or gods; a particular system of faith and worship.'

Spirituality is defined as:

'Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things; having a relationship based on a profound level of mental or emotional communion.'

Spiritual intelligence
Many scientists and psychologists include spirituality as a key element of our happiness and well-being. They recognise that we have several different types of intelligence, including emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence.

According to the website www.spiritualintelligenceunit.com, the two cornerstones of spiritual intelligence are a sense of identity and an awareness of your own intrinsic nature.

Increasing self-knowledge
When asked to identify something positive about getting older, one respondent to a recent learndirect careers advice survey said: 'I know myself better now than I did in my twenties'. 'Life experience' and 'Wisdom, confidence' also figured highly - which some might attribute to growing spiritual intelligence.

Dr Susan Stewart, Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University, has identified several potential 'Gifts of the Second Half of Life'. Her research suggests that these are:

• increasing wisdom or the ability to have a deeper understanding
• enhanced creativity in thought, expression and lifestyle
• greater freedom from social norms, including a readiness to live one's own life despite disapproval
• emotional mastery, including being at ease with oneself and one's feelings, and a readiness to laugh at oneself
• increased tolerance, such as having an acceptance of and compassion for others
• growing appreciation for 'the small, the slow, the subtle, and the simple'
• tolerance for paradox and uncertainty. This includes the 'return of awe and wonder and a deepening appreciation of the mystery of life'
• the capacity for transcendence and surrender, or moving beyond concerns for one's ego and becoming an 'instrument of life, willing to do what is needed for the greater good'.

Dr Stewart does point out that these 'gifts' are tendencies, not guarantees… they require both willingness and work!

Searching for contentment
Most happiness theories include a spiritual dimension as a major component in our overall well-being. They indicate that, as long as we have achieved a certain level of economic security, it isn't money that brings us happiness. The key ingredients of happiness seem to be:

• Family and friends: having strong, deep and wide relationships.
• Meaning in life: having a belief in something 'bigger than ourself', such as religion, spirituality or a strong philosophy of life.
• Goals in life: which are aligned with our values and lead us to do enjoyable, interesting work using our key strengths and skills.

In line with this thinking, American psychologist Abraham Maslow, often called the father of humanistic psychology, developed a hierarchy of needs that motivate us.

At the most basic level (the base of the pyramid), we work to provide food and shelter for ourselves and those we love. If and when those needs are satisfied, we work towards higher needs, which eventually include spiritual goals such as fulfilment, meaning, truth and harmony.

Of course, this does not always happen in a logical order. At different times in our lives we will be working for higher needs than others, but it seems true that once the basics are in place, many people search for more fulfilment.

As Mildred, one fifty-something, explains, '[I wanted] to find renewed meaning and purpose in my life. I no longer found working with organisations, management [or] committees energising. I felt the need of refreshment and renewal and wanted to find something that would meet my own needs. I felt the need to get closer to my own inner world.'

So, as you probably already know, we don't have to be religious to be spiritual. But having even the smallest spiritual element in our lives - a sense of meaning, transcendence and a connection with the world - can have a real impact on our future happiness.

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