Recently, I was very fortunate to talk with the chaplain at Homewood Health Centre, Ram Kalap. We were talking about how he helps people reconnect to their spiritual side and I asked him about the difference between religiosity or religious faith and spirituality.
Ram explained that religion in all of its various forms is often rooted in cultural or ethnic faith-based fundamental teachings and traditions. Religion directs people to a higher power in various forms. There are often set sayings, or prayers, and routines or rules that are followed.
Spirituality can be part of religion for sure, but it also doesn’t have to be. Spirituality can be quite different and not necessarily affiliated with any particular organized dogma. Spirituality can be more individualized, helping people where they are at, regardless of their religious belief system.
He informed me that the World Health Organization stated, “Spirituality is the name we give to that which provides us with the strength to go on.” (1992) He explained that it is an innate force within us to move forward in spite of struggles.
Ram said that spirituality can awaken us to a sense of connection or belonging to humankind, our roots, nature, and also let us know we are all an important part of something bigger. He went on to explain that in his experience, we all seek to belong throughout our lives, from conception to the grave, and spirituality can help us feel connected.
He helped me recognize that although both religion and spirituality have a connection to a higher power that is greater than ourselves, religion can sometimes feel potentially exclusive. For example, people tend to identify themselves based on their religious beliefs and may feel they cannot connect with or appreciate others’ belief systems.
All of humanity shares spirituality. Connecting with spirituality helps you realize you’re not alone.
The more we connect the stronger we become. Spirituality is not stagnant, it is merging, growing and changing as we change. Many mental health conditions are very isolating and can take you to a place where you might feel like you don’t belong, like you have no connections to anyone, alone or forsaken.
Examining and exploring your spirituality can help bring you back to connecting and may provide you a sense of belonging, hope and support.
Spirituality helps people to recognize that they are important and have value in being part of a much bigger picture. It helps you to know that you are accepted where you are, especially when things are difficult.
Ram suggested a few ways to start exploring your spirituality. These included spending some quiet time reflecting on people or places that have been positive in your life, things that people may have said that were supportive and places where you felt safe and balanced. He also suggested that you could spend time listening to music or simply appreciating nature and being grateful while you are out walking.
He advised to start in small ways and see where your journey takes you by reflecting or journalling on gratitude and appreciation.
Ram then shared a story so that I could see his meaning more clearly.
He told me that one of the people he was counselling came to him one day and said that he didn’t think that Ram could help him because they were from different religious backgrounds. Ram invited the gentleman to sit down and share a bit about himself. The man talked, he shared his story and his pain.
At that moment he realized that they were two fellow humans travelling together sharing their journey. A spiritual connection was started regardless of faith differences. They connected in their experiences and this allowed empathy through the pain.
They didn’t have to pray from a book using a certain time, place or set of rules. They just connected, shared, appreciated and felt reciprocal support.
Spirituality removes judgements across all barriers and comforts us in the knowledge that we all belong as human beings.
Spirituality helps us to see our humanity and allows all to feel included.
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Paula Frappier is an occupational therapist and education coordinator with Homewood Health Centre and CMHA. Content for this article was provided by Reverend Ram Kalap, chaplain and psychotherapist at Homewood Health Centre. The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by community partners who are committed to raising awareness about mental health, reducing stigma and providing information about resources that can help. For local mental health resources/information, visit www.mdsgg.ca or call 1-844-HERE247.
