Home > Helpful Resources > Tip of the Week Articles

TIP OF THE WEEK ARTICLES

Spirituality in Today's World

Flo Guynn Stiffler, MDiv, LMFT
May 31, 2004

The approach of the 21st century has ushered in several developments, among them an enormous interest in the power of spirituality in American society. (David Hufford, Ph.D., in an article entitled "Spirituality and Religion on Health and Illness" defines spirituality as one's personal relationship to the transcendent, while religion refers to the community aspect of spirituality.) Thomas Moore, in his book, Care of the Soul, suggests that the primary malady of the 20th century was "loss of soul". Moore goes on to state that when the soul is neglected, it does not simply go away; it appears symptomatically in obsessions, addictions, violence, and loss of meaning. There is a deep, urgent thirst in the human heart for mystical encounters with the transcendent. It has been said that "We are all born with an ache for transcendence." Human beings seek not just knowledge about but contact with the power that spins the stars. 

There is a private, inner aspect to the spiritual journey which we cerebral, busy, driven, competitive, compulsive, Americans ignore to our own peril. In the midst of our hectic, scattered lives, we are in danger of losing touch with our inner voice. We are a work oriented, production oriented, consumer oriented culture that all too often is held captive by the media. Psychologist Carl Jung suggests that our souls are dying and that we no longer have the time or space to listen to our inner voice.

In order to live as healthy, whole human beings, we need to bridge the gap between the secular and the sacred. We can learn to experience holiness in the rituals of daily life if we pay attention to the particulars of living - good food, satisfying conversation, cherished friendship. The elegance of home life is experienced through a humming teapot, a welcoming bouquet of daisies, the sweet scent of a lit candle. Such are the particular beauties of daily life.

We can also bridge the gap between the secular and the sacred as we experience the gift of art. Is there space or time in your life for Manet or Picasso or Van Gogh or Mahler or Mozart? These are the great masters of the spirit who can help our spirits soar from the wings of eagles. These are the masters who can plunge our souls down to the deepest dimensions of life. These are the masters who can restore our passion. 

New York clergyperson, Marice Boyd, tells a story about two physicians who, once a month, take each other to lunch, and share with each other a poem they have memorized. These two surgeons are at the top of their professions and much in demand from every corner, but once a month they take the time for sacred space to give each other the simple gift of a poem. A bridge between the secular and the sacred.

As we enter the 21st century with all of its challenges, it is my hope that we will all learn to listen to the inner voice of our soul - to the holy words that come from the depth. It is my hope that all of us might become more aware of the sacred journey that we call life.

---

Flo Guynn Stiffler, MDiv, LMFT is a Senior Therapist, as well as CFR's Director of Clergy Training. She can be reached at 215-628-4620 x2.

For more relationship advice, check out our Archive of Relationship Tips.