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Defining spirituality

The Oxford Dictionary of English defines spirituality 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.'

Attitudes to spirituality

Research by HSBC established that different countries have different attitudes to old age and retirement. The British see it as a time for self-sufficiency, independence, flexibility and personal responsibility. Americans see it as a time for opportunity, new careers and spiritual fulfilment.

The gifts that the over 50s can bring to society are the focus of the work of the American Network of Spiritual Progressives (www.spiritualprogressives.org). Michael Lerner writes 'our point is that many elders have a wealth of wisdom which they may not recognise or label as spiritual'.

The Network challenges the whole notion of what is valuable. It recognises a need to create a new ethos which sees institutions, social practices or human beings as valuable, efficient, rational and productive, not only to the extent that they maximise money and power, but also to the extent that they maximise love and caring, kindness and generosity, ethical and ecological sensitivity, and enhance our capacities to respond to others as embodiments of the sacred and to the universe with awe and wonder.

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

Since 2002 the number of books published on non-Christian spirituality has surpassed the Christian portfolio.

Dr Susan Stewart, Professor of Psychology at Sonoma State University, has explored what Carl Jung described as the 'treasure trove' of world myth - the stories that have been built up about classical heroes and heroines - and linked these to current work on ageing. World myth and a 'growing body of research' show that there are potential 'Gifts of the Second Half of Life'. These are, she suggests:

• Increasing Wisdom - the ability to 'see' things more clearly, to have a deeper understanding, and to 'do the right thing'.
• Enhanced Creativity - in thought, in expression, and in lifestyle.
• Greater Freedom from Social Norms - the readiness to break conventions, to 'do one's own thing', to live one's own life despite disapproval.
• Emotional Mastery - being at ease with oneself and one's feelings, expressing feelings in non-harmful ways, having a balanced view whatever the circumstances, an enhanced capacity for healthy humour and a readiness to laugh at oneself.
• Increased Tolerance - 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 - the 'return of awe and wonder and a deepening appreciation of the mystery of life'.
• A Capacity for Transcendence and Surrender - moving beyond concerns for one's ego, personality and appearance, letting go of the need for control and becoming an 'instrument of life, willing to do what is needed for the greater good'.

Professor Stewart points out that these 'gifts of the second half' are tendencies, not guarantees. They require both willingness and work!

Did you know?

• Some architects recognise a spiritual dimension in buildings - they work to design places which inspire, encourage and foster those who will live and work in them.
• Some psychologists and brain experts now recognise that as well as the traditional view that we each have an IQ, we also have other types of intelligence, including Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.
• In March 2007, a Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor, aged 75, won the £800,000 Templeton Prize for Progress Toward Research or Discoveries about Spiritual Realities for his work in linking a search for meaning to the recruitment of young people to terrorist groups. Taylor warns: 'There are certain kinds of hunger that people have, including a sense of meaning in life that comprises the spiritual dimension… These terrorists are motivated by the need to be connected to a big cause. The only way they can be prevented from heading for terrorism is to have a better answer to the meaningfulness of life.'